Spring and the Message Nature has for RN's

RN's Enabling Personal Change to Support Themselves While Living with Stress

Sunday March 20th marked the first day of Spring for this year of 2022. If only the warm weather actually arrived on this date, but the actual date is significant to some (it is to me and every Wisconsinite I know). It’s an official marker to the ending of winter. The promise of Brewer games, grilling out and concert season is so close you can feel it. Some of you reading this blog live in warmer climate areas (good for you!) so it may only signify that hotter weather is on its way in a month or two.

The ground slowly thaws and nature reveals its beauty yet again with buds growing on trees and flowers beginning to sprout through the ground. For me personally, Spring has always been a sign of rebirth, especially after the long winters that Wisconsin so lovingly provides its residents (insert sarcasm). Deeper message here, growth is possible even after the most brutal conditions. And those growth sometimes require those conditions. This applies to us as well. Nature is its own magical force that just happens to pop up in seasons year after year, but our personal growth from within is something that we need to tend to, nurture and seek out. It doesn’t happen automatically like the change of seasons.

I became a red tulip fan at our first house after the previous homeowners had planted the bulbs. For the 5 years we lived there, there was a 2 week window each May where they would come up and bloom. This quickly became one of my favorite times of the year (in addition to when I lived in Chicago and the tulips would line downtown Michigan Ave). Oh, early June was great too- the peonies on the side of the house would bloom (again credit to the previous homeowners). Seriously, how do flowers not make people happy? We moved to our current home a couple of years ago and found myself missing those red tulips. Last fall, I went to a garden store and bought a few packages of red tulip bulbs. I planted them according to directions (I have a green thumb but I’m not an expert), I created an environment for them to thrive. I dug holes 5-7” deep and carefully space them 4-5” apart. I also planted them in potting soil to ensure they got nutrients and had soil that would promote growth. Last week I noticed some petals peeking through the soil. I am counting down the days until they fully grow in and bloom. This includes me telling my daughter to not pick them (several times).

The parallel here is that us Nurses too can plant seeds to empower ourselves to attain things we are longing for. Are you looking to decrease anxiety or support yourself by creating better personal boundaries? Unfortunately for my tulips the bulb planting is time specific (it’s fall) but fortunately for us we can start personal change at any time. So, I am asking you, is it “one day” or are you at “day one”? We are the sole keepers and deciders of what we plant in our own “garden”. It’s important to realize that things take time and work, you have to put in the work to reap the benefits. A wise friend told me, “Brooke, all you have to do is encourage people to plant the seed and give them the tools to create a nurturing environment. If they do the work then change will grow”. I want to emphasize here that no one is perfect, we are all human and are all having a human experience. It is not easy to change habits that are likely life-long but small changes can lead to a big impact. I am continually working on something (many things actually) but the challenge is rewarding when I see the effect (personal fist bump). I will be forever learning.

Life is short, no one knows that better than healthcare workers, especially RNs. We witness the human experience daily, some of joy and others of tremendous loss and sorrow. The ICU taught me many great lessons; one of which is that tomorrow is not promised, and to fully enjoy the wonders that life has to offer. Also from a Neurological perspective, enjoy the physical and cognitive abilities that you have. I strive to enjoy each while appreciating the health I’ve been fortunate to have.

So, what seeds do you hope to plant? What habits help you cultivate growth? I have my list for my yard- planning to do more hosta, peonies and hydrangeas later this spring. I also have my personal list for me.

Resources to empower you-

Brooke RN

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