Spring, You Fickle Thing

The snow and sun of a Nordic spring

What a difference a few hours makes.

Spring Melt | photos by author

These photos were taken only a few hours apart. A grey, drab, snow-covered morning turned into a sunny, almost-green late afternoon.

Spring is fickle here, in the North. A sunny day can quickly turn into a reminder that winter is never far away.

Don’t pack away your winter coat! Don’t think your scarf and gloves won’t be needed!

Grey clouds gather and move quickly. The chilly northern wind, dropping its icy flakes, scaring us all into thinking spring will never come. You can go to bed, thinking the neatly groomed streets now free of gravel and sand will soon see your sandals, and wake with the world covered in a blanket of snow.

It’s confusing!

This latest dump was quite lovely. Having missed the whole winter we got to experience a few days, with the bonus of no ice because the ground has warmed a bit.

Out walking today, I noticed green shoots appearing despite the snow only melting away today seagulls have returned and screech as they soar around looking for spots to nest.

Buds are considering their options

Buds are straining to grow, their tips blown about by arctic winds. Birds have returned and their song is lovely (apart from the seagulls—they’re very screechy here, hysterical even. They can leave). But I’m still in my winter coat, beanie, and gloves.

I can’t complain.

I skipped the winter. Hopped over it. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling the cold so keenly. The contrast is a shock. The dullness is something Autumn helps you get used to. Bursts of colour as the leaves change—golden, red, brown—they then depart, leaving bare branches reaching for the grey sky. The sudden departure from a country in late summer to arrive in one in the depth of late spring is perhaps not something we’re supposed to experience. Technological developments like plane travel have meant we can experience sudden changes in time, place, season and climate.

So we’re ready, Spring! Anytime now, If you’re listening!

The Nordics have had a long, cold winter this year. The cold doesn’t want to leave. Its claws digging in, sharp and icy. Bring on the ‘heatwave’ next week that’s being promised (I never thought I’d think 10 degrees Celcius a heatwave!)

Hopefully, the next time I write, I can sing of sun and warmth and an explosion of green.

Stay Well,

Lisa x

Photos: my spring walk in the greyness, taken by me

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What’s Happening?

I’m spending most of my time working on my business with a few things in the pipeline.

Writing Workshops
I’m running two writing workshops (Relax & Write) tomorrow, Sunday 28th April. I’ll guide you through two meditations and then hold space for you to write freely. You get to relax, and then write.
If you want to join in,

• click here for the European morning session (10.30 am EEST) using the discount code WRITENOW

• click here, for the European evening session (7 pm EEST) using the discount code TAKE10

Here’s a world-time converter to help.
If you can’t join this weekend, I’ll run more sessions next month. Sign up for news at Flourish Mind & Body.

Free Monthly Mindfulness Meetup
On the first Monday of every month, I’ll be running a free mindfulness session via Zoom (7 pm EEST). You can register here (even if you’re already signed up for my Flourish Mind & Body newsletter, you’ll need to register to get the details before each session).
Svenskspråkig? Prenumerera här. (Första onsdagen i månaden)