Can You Live Seasonally in a Time of Climate Crisis?
Looking 'climate anxiety' directly in the eye
Hello,
Anyone who writes about Seasonal Living will hit a wall sooner or later. Usually sooner.
What’s the point of writing about the ebb and flow of the year, and about aligning your life with the rhythms of the seasons, when those very seasons are blurring and melting before our eyes?
When Winters are becoming strangely mild and Summers terrifyingly hot. When Spring starts too early and flood waters threaten to wash everything away. When birds sing in Winter and trees die in Summer.
How can we write about gentle, seasonal living in a time of complete climate meltdown?
This is something I think about a lot.
But, in the spirit of taking positive action and resisting anxiety, I have come to the conclusion that, in this time of climate crisis, Seasonal Living is even more important than ever.
This is why.
1. It focuses our attention
When the scale of a problem is so vast it can be completely paralysing (hello climate anxiety). Knowing that the polar caps are melting, sea levels are rising, and the world is on fire feels so huge, it seems impossible to do anything about it.
Seasonal living is a way of focussing instead on a tiny scale, looking at what is happening right in front of you.
When you really stop to look in detail at the world around you, day in and day out you see, in real time, exactly what it is that needs protecting and valuing.
You see both the good (the first strawberries in May, misty woodlands in Autumn) and the bad (plants flowering out of season, birds failing to return in Spring).
It becomes personal. And that becomes motivating.
2. Seasonal living connects people
When I write about Winter Solstice traditions, or the very particular smell of Autumn, or even the deep desire to hibernate in January, I feel like I’m tapping into something much older. A shared and ancient knowledge of the natural world.
And each time I write about the seasons, I’m hoping to find connection. For other people to say ‘Yes! I know exactly what you mean. I feel this too’.
Equally, when I read other people’s writing about nature and the seasons I feel connected to them. And that makes me feel hopeful that there are like-minded people out there who deeply care about the natural world and want to protect it.
Many of the seasonal festivals I write about are also designed to bring people and communities together, from May Day celebrations to Halloween festivals and Full Moon rituals.
Which, for me, is what Seasonal Living is all about. Creating connection in a time where we are increasingly isolated, and helping us to see the collective next step.
3. Seasonal Living is slow living
Seasonal living goes hand in hand with slow living. And slowing down feels more important than ever right now.
When I look back at seasonal folklore, or ancient pagan rituals, I’m looking back at a simpler, more straightforward way of experiencing the world. An approach to life where choices are considered carefully, nature is at the heart of everything, and peace and simplicity are valued.
And the more of us that adopt a steady, considered pace of life, the more chance we have of making better collective decisions about the planet and the environment.
4. Small steps lead to bigger steps
Seasonal Living is a small thing, but it can have a snowball effect. When you notice the natural world around you in minute detail, you are more likely to take steps to protect it.
You are more likely to talk to other people about it, more likely to support petitions for local or national change, more likely to donate to charities that support climate change initiatives. You are more likely to see opportunities to push for action higher up.
5. It’s fun
Last, and by no means least, is the simple reason that Seasonal Living is fun. And it’s not against the rules to have fun. Even in a time of climate crisis. I actively look forward to each new seasonal festival as a chance to immerse myself in a new energy and to learn something new.
I like finding out what our pagan ancestors were up to at any given time in the year (the weirder the better), I like discovering odd pieces of weatherlore, learning seasonal cake recipes, or following the phases of the moon.
I like the sense that there is something special and unique about every single month. And when I live seasonally I feel more energised and determined to find ways to protect the natural world.
Which is why I think Seasonal Living is more important now than ever.
Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely week filled with seasonal magic.
Vicky xx
And Finally…
Here are some other, very practical, ways to help relieve eco anxiety. These articles offer positive action steps and are worth a read and a share.
What can I do about climate change? 14 ways to take positive action - Positive News
What can I do to stop climate change - Friends of the Earth
Things you can do about climate change - London Wildlife Trust
I feel this ❤️ it's hard seeing things change so rapidly, but if anything it's made me want to change my behaviours and how I interact with the world even more. I think we need to feel connected and remember the power in the seasons so we have even more drive to preserve them
I loved this article dearly Victoria! I *just* wrote about living with the seasons in my most recent post and so I've also been reflecting on some of the things you mention here – and you've given me more food for thought too. I think living seasonally is so important as, if we're not careful, we can just let each season pass without noticing – particularly without noticing how the seasons are blurring, like you said. We all have the ability to create change though, that's essential to remember in the instances where we feel like we can't do anything to help our beautiful Earth. Thank you so much for this post! 💙