By Carly Clegg
Change is in the air, friends! Can you smell it?! The fragrance of spring has anointed us yet again, bringing with it longer days of sun, flowers blooming and quite unfortunately for some of you, allergies. I’ve never experienced how transformative spring can be like this year, living in San Diego; the richness of the colors, the density of the vegetation, the smell of jasmine and sage–it’s an oasis for the soul, reenergized from the seasons. So many reasons to look up, look around and be in tune with your surroundings; a reminder that we can so easily forget when the majority of our population juggles a constant online, offline lifestyle.
Winds in the east, there’s a mist comin’ in
Like somethin’ is brewin’ and ’bout to begin.
Can’t put me finger on what lies in store,
But I feel what’s to happen all happened before.
Frolicking like Julie Andrews in the California ‘Superbloom.’
There’s something so profound about plants and how we can personally connect to the process of their existence. Whether wilting, pruning, falling, sprouting, rooting, reviving, rising or blooming, we are capable of surviving and thriving throughout it all with overflowing abundance.
If I’m being 100% transparent with you, I feel as though I’ve been ‘planting seeds’ for a few years now, in my career and network; I’m more anxious than ever to reap the fruits of my labor. How many plants do I need to harvest in order to get my big break?! The waiting game is not one for the faint of heart, but it is mandatory when it comes to earning your way to the top, whatever that means for you. I’ve been encouraged over and over to enjoy the journey, enjoy the process–and after a stubborn few years, I’m finally beginning to find freedom in that advice.
There was a time in my past where I was ‘wilting’ [truly- like a constant visual I would have day after day, was me Carlyflower (I called myself) a red hibiscus flower (specifically) in full bloom, buried under the Earth, unable to see the light, claustrophobic and trapped.] A season of my life where I experienced anxiety for the first time ever: a drought, so to speak, from personal fulfillment. But from that came growth, determination to change my circumstance, find the strengths I didn’t know I had and use a voice I didn’t know existed. Just like the weeks and weeks of rain that we had in Southern California this winter that brought the blessing of the ‘Superbloom,’ the dreary days of personal depression in the waiting of my past forced me to blossom into a world of opportunity and community.
Since I can remember, I’ve always identified with cliches that were paralleled with nature. (Shocker) Dare I say it, “Bloom where you’re planted” might be cheesy and was probably posted in my college admin’s office- but it’s gospel. The following illustrations have enabled me to maintain a positive perspective throughout the ebbs and flows of the seasons, and I hope they speak to you too.
Like a weed, one mustn’t be afraid to set forth on their own. Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would. Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds. Like a garden you start small and grow from there.
…Who knew plants were so poetic?
I’m definitely not a gardener–currently struggling with taking care of my three succulents–and normally don’t connect myself with nature on a daily basis, but I hope this reminds you how beautiful (and important) change can really be.
Carly Clegg
Columnist
Carly is a Texas Native living in San Diego, California with her husband and English Bulldog. She studied Telecommunication Media Studies at Texas A&M University and has been chasing dreams ever since. Currently, she is the proud Digital Content Director for a woman-owned online boutique, Town & Key headquartered in Dallas, Texas that embraces individuality and empowers women to express their unique style. A performing arts enthusiast, her passion for production led her to positions at entertainment and media giants like the Walt Disney World Company and iHeartMedia. Always open for thought-provoking conversation and connecting with others over an iced coffee, you can find her on Instagram at @carlyclegg.