Spring Forward
Spring is in full swing, and with it, the tempo of life is picking up. Days are getting longer, snow is melting, and the mountains are beginning to wake. Rivers swell, trails reemerge, and that familiar pull to get outside starts to grow stronger. The energy is invigorating and alive. There’s a sense of new beginnings and fresh growth- life emerging after the cold, dark stillness of winter in a steady, undeniable unfolding. Filled with excitement and inspiration- I feel the pull to get amongst it, to move, to explore and to reconnect with that deeper rhythm that draws us in and springs us forward. Nature’s rhythm of rising out of darkness is one we’re deeply connected to- mirrored in our own cycles of challenge, growth, and renewal.
A few weeks ago, I was out guiding a group of 7th graders on their very first backpacking trip in Joshua Tree National Park. It was a challenging trip for everyone, for a number of reasons. We were in the middle of a heat wave, the sun was relentless, the terrain exposed, and we had limited drinking water. For many of them, this was their first time carrying a heavy pack, their first time sleeping outside, and their first real experience with discomfort in the wild. The first day was especially challenging, as we trudged up Boy Scout Canyon, under the weight of full packs, with minimal shade, and over 1,500 feet of elevation gain- it put us all to the test. There were moments of exhaustion, doubt, and breakdown. Moments where things felt hard- really hard. And yet, something incredible happened. They kept going.
Step by step, they moved through it. Not because it was easy- but because they realized they could. As the week progressed, you could see the shift. Shoulders lifted. Confidence grew. Frowns softened into smiles. What once felt overwhelming became something they were capable of navigating.
They didn’t just finish the trip. They moved beyond their own preconceived limits- expanding their sense of what they are capable of, and who they are becoming.
It got me thinking about what it really means to “spring forward.”
We often associate spring with ease- warmth returning, flowers blooming, everything coming back to life. But what we don’t always see is what made that possible in the first place. Winter is not passive. Beneath the surface, life is still at work- roots strengthening, systems rebuilding, energy being stored. Growth doesn’t happen in spite of challenge. It happens because of it. And in many ways, the same is true for us.
When we move through something difficult- when we push beyond what feels comfortable- we expand. We begin to rewrite the story of what we’re capable of. We carry that forward with us, into the next challenge, and the next.
I’ve done hard things before. I can do this too.
That is how we spring forward.
And there’s something else at play here. Something I’ve come to understand is an important part of this equation. That’s the role nature plays in these profound experiences.
Spending time outside- especially in wild places- does something to us. It grounds and centers us. It quiets the noise and incessant distractions. It brings us back to our authentic selves, into a more natural rhythm. And there’s growing research that supports what many of us have always felt.
Studies have shown that time spent in nature can lower stress, boost immunity, improve mood, and support overall well-being. But beyond the physical benefits, there’s something deeper happening.
Recent research by Dr. Paul Piff, a social psychologist, at the University of California, Irvine explores the impact of experiencing awe in nature- those moments when we encounter something vast, beautiful, or beyond our usual frame of reference. Moments that stop us in our tracks. Whether it be the quiet stillness of a high alpine lake, a sky full of stars, a wildlife encounter, or a sweeping desert landscape- these moments are actually rewiring our brains.
These experiences of awe have been shown to increase feelings of connection- to the world around us, to others, and to something greater than ourselves. They soften the edges, shift our perspective, and remind us that we are part of something much bigger.
And when challenge and awe intersect, when we move through something hard in a place that invites presence and perspective- that’s where real transformation begins to take root. Those challenging moments are what spring us forward.
So as we move deeper into this season of renewal, I invite you to reflect: Where in your life are you being asked to grow? What challenges might actually be guiding you forward? What can you learn from overcoming those challenges in how you embrace the inevitable next challenge? And how can you support that growth by stepping outside and reconnecting with the natural world?
“Springing forward” isn’t about pushing harder or moving faster. Sometimes it’s about trusting the process. Trusting that the hard moments are shaping you into a more resilient and compassionate creature. And through it all, remembering that you are more capable than you think.
