I’ve always felt like March is the hardest month.
While the calendar insists it’s the start of spring, here in Wisconsin, it can feel anything but. We are almost certain to have at least one more big snowstorm, and that’s just in the southern part of the state. Up north, the lakes won’t even think about thawing for weeks.
But, my goodness, there are so many lessons to be found in March.
March teaches us patience, to wait for warmer days … basically because we have no other choice. But holding out and holding on are skills we can work on.
March teaches us gratitude. Because if we can discover beauty and goodness in mud and slush, we will be able to find them anywhere.
March teaches us presence. To notice the subtle shifts of the seasons. How the light changes. A bit of warmth in the wind. A pop of grass as the snow slowly, eventually gives way.
March teaches us to trust — that it will get warmer, and brighter, and lighter. It always does.
And if we learn from this month, when spring full-on blooms, we’ll be ready for it. When its time comes.
– Katie Vaughn
Katie Vaughn is the editor and co-founder of Northerly. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stanford University-trained journalist with experience as a writer, reporter, editor, blogger and author. She lives in Madison with her husband, daughter and son, and is always up for an adventure.