A Human-sized Way To Enjoy Time

Microseason No. 10, March 20-24

I love the rush of positive energy that comes with a fresh start. Getting the chance to have a Do-Over just feels good. Since each microseason is only about five days long, I can choose to have this boost in momentum often. No need to wait for New Year’s Day to begin.

Every time a fresh microseason starts, I’m looking through a new lens. Trying to see if I can find something unique—something happening in nature that’s especially interesting or beautiful to me. Today.

Delicate Bloodroot has a very brief blooming time. I feel so grateful to see it each year on the trail— always in the same spot.

Five days is a human-sized chunk of time. It’s something I can definitely wrap my life around. It feels manageable. It also keeps me moving forward. I feel a bit of urgency in not wanting to miss this brief microseason. I guess it’s FOMO put to good use!

Walking with gentle curiosity helps me to focus, which is definitely something I struggle with. It also keeps me from drifting or plodding along or doom-scrolling.

I found this enormously helpful back during the pandemic quarantines when one day seemed to blur right into the next. I distracted myself from worry by walking the same trails every day trying to see something new each time. Then I would make a quick photo with my phone camera and play with these images when I got home. In 2020, I felt like I was inventing a new game for myself.

Predictability + Novelty = Comforting Creativity

At the time, I didn’t know that observing the natural world in 5-day increments already had an ancient name: KŌ (microseasons)

My daily microseasonal walks grounded me in hopeful way. I looked forward to each new small season and the gifts of beauty and goodness it might bring.

A colorful feather— part of me is still a happy child finding a treasure!

This Hope, for me, continues to be an important tool in managing stress and burnout. Burnout comes with feeling uninspired, overwhelmed, and exhausted. So many of us are feeling this way. Especially in the healthcare system. I just read the results of the 2022 State of Nursing Survey in which 81% of nurses said they’ve felt burnt out in the past year. The microseasons are good medicine for this. Every five days, I can look forward to noticing something delightfully small and intricate and lovely, which is creatively energizing for me. And, I’m able to take this positive energy back to work with me. It’s a healing cycle that keeps me healthy and joyful.

What would help you today?

Are you able to get outside and take walk? Or sit outside somewhere safe and take a few peaceful breaths? Maybe you’ll eat a seasonal food?  Or begin brainstorming a new writing project?

Go right ahead.

Microseason #11 starts today.