I lived in sunny, southern California for two years during graduate school. During these years, I proudly proclaimed how much I loved the full breadth of seasons I observed back home in Wisconsin.
For a long time, I assumed my love for seasons was rooted in my experience of the seasons. I assumed I was drawn to the changing colors, varied temperatures, & obvious shift in community from sparkling Christmas lights to driveway carwashes on a warm summer day.
& Although these experiences are, indeed, marvelous - I realized with time: my attraction to seasons was far deeper than a visceral observation.
For me - the consistent, perfect sunny days of California prompted an expectation of consistent perfection. Especially during the demands of graduate school, identical sunny days made me believe I had to show up as one type of perfect student all the time.
Conversely, during my undergraduate education in Minnesota - I experienced a necessary difference in my studies. Some days, I enjoyed working on the front steps of the library when the breeze & sunshine provided a comfortable atmosphere of focus. Other days, the negative temperatures and blizzard snow highly encouraged me to utilize my school’s underground tunnels & cozy up with my work in a study nook.
However, individuals in California adamently claimed their consistent, warm days equated to "perfect weather." The difference between SoCal's liking & my own invited me to question how sunshine & blue skies became the nation's “perfect.” What accompanies SoCal weather isn’t “bad” or “wrong” - ease, comfort, beauty… - though I wondered if it's possible to apply the same mindset of "perfection" & adoration to change & unpredictability.
In the midwest, I’ve noted a compradore amongst individuals who embrace the cold winters & wild temperature fluctuations. Through my perspective, our co-experienced laughter is a way of saying “this is life!” Rainy days prompt nights spent on our couches at home with friends & a movie, original plans cancelled - & experiences made better with creative solutions, acknowledgement that life isn’t always golden - & that’s okay.
Seasons are beautiful, & fun to experience. For me, seasons are also life-giving. Seasons encourage me to embrace the current moment, recognize change as ordinary, & invite a new perspective from the one I held yesterday.
I love my California family, & I realize the discomfort of -50 degrees accompanied with snow-covered highways is not sought by all. And. I am incredibly grateful & in love with seasons - in all their significance.
What is your experience with seasons? What metaphors might you pull from the weather of your favorite place - be it seasonal, consistent, or otherwise?
