Embrace Every Delicious Season

deborahberrymanyog
Apr 25
4 min read

Updated: Apr 27

Dearest changeable one,

I’m wondering what season you’re in right now? Do you know?

All through April, I spied on this cherry tree — how she was bare, in bloom and shed, all in a few weeks. Such a sweet metaphor for the changes we go through in this season of midlife.

The last few years of my life have felt like the longest April — full of sunshine, wind, rain, blossom, and shedding. Change came faster than my reptilian brain (which LOVES certainty) could keep up with.

Some changes were on the outside, but it was mostly the inner shifts that felt so destabilising.

My life suddenly felt different. I felt different – no longer myself (which is odd right?!).

And for a while, I thought something was really wrong. Something needed to be fixed. Perhaps I needed HRT, or the right supplements, or a diagnosis?

I didn’t yet know, I was simply moving into a new season of my life.

We’re always changing season

We know life isn’t linear, that we move in rhythms and cycles. And we've kind of, sort of, accepted them in the smaller ways.

But the big seasonal shifts — the ones that stop us in our tracks, shake our roles, identities, structures and routines — these puppies can feel like a life-quake and MUCH tricker to navigate.

How do we deal with that?

Well, I can tell you what doesn't work my friends (aka my first response) – dig deeper, try harder, keep your head down - "nope, nothing happening here folks" (as she tap dances off stage left).

Trying to keep the wheels spinning as they were falling off led me to almost burn out. And I really don't want this for you, life is way too short and too precious.

When we fight a seasonal shift, it takes up a whole lot of energy. That's precious energy, life force, we don't have to spare. And my love, resisting is where the suffering is.

Resenting the autumn coming because we don’t want the summer to end, doesn’t stop the autumn from coming – it simply means we can’t fully enjoy the end of summer OR relish the invitation to get cosy, slow down and let go.

Resistance is futile my darling.

But trust, Trust is essential.

You already know this deep down. And full disclosure, with all humility and confidence, I rarely teach you anything you don’t already know.

BUT. I am a useful guide, a wisdom whisperer, a loving mirror – who shares stories, spaces and practices to bring you back to your homebase: the only place you'll ever find real peace.

So today, I’m your sacred reminder 🛎️: - there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re just changing season and it's all ok.

(phew, loooooong exhale) What Season Are you In?

Knowing what season we’re in can help us locate ourselves and find ground. Here’s how I describe seasons when I’m teaching or coaching — see what resonates:

🍂 Autumn - a sacred beginning. It invites us to drop what no longer serves — roles, stories, expectations — so we can come home to what’s more real.

❄️ Winter. Winter isn’t empty — it’s deep. This is the inner work of self-trust, boundaries, and rebuilding from the roots.

🌱 Spring, with its aliveness and clarity. This phase is about reimagining your life — your rhythms, relationships, and role in the world.

🌻 Summer. This phase is about embodying your clarity, taking gentle action, and celebrating who you’re becoming now.

🌀 Or perhaps you’re in a seasonal change. Just like April, it can feel tumultuous, unsettling and unpredictable, cycling through all of this – sometimes daily !

What would it feel like to simply give yourself permission to FULLY be in the season you're in?

Let that soak in for a moment. Try not to rush the moments that might transform and comfort you.

What would it feel like to simply give yourself permission to FULLY be in this season?

Because here’s the thing my sweet cherry blossom – it’s happening anyway! Just as we can’t stop the summer from ending and autumn arriving. It’s happening anyway.

Stay Rooted

Having tools to help you stay curious and make sure your roots are deep is good! Here’s my suggested gardening kit -

💚 Practice radical self-honesty and self-compassion, denial and self-judgement will only slow you down and keep you stuck

💚 Practice imperfect action as you navigate new ways of being in the world and in relationship (especially for all you recovering perfectionists and people-pleasers)

💚 Practice living on purpose – with a new vision, and sense of your own agency and power.

Everything I do - a teacher training, workshop, retreat or coaching - wraps around these simple practices. On our mats and in our lives, we simply show up and practice.

Because it helps build resilience and friendship with yourself, make peace with the messiness, make space for more joy. And we need all of this for the journey.

Be in the season you're in my love, and let it change when it calls. It’s so much easier when we stop fighting our very nature.

There’s nothing wrong with you, and you're not alone, I PROMISE!

Be like the cherry tree my rooted one, audacious in your blossoming and unapologetic in your shedding, trusting all stages have their own magic.