Spring is a Time for Renewal

Mar 25, 2026

If living in the Cariboo has taught me anything, it’s that one minute it looks like spring has finally arrived, and the next minute winter reminds us it’s not quite ready to let go. 

The other week at the office, I found inspiration for this article in a tiny bloom pushing its way up through the flower bed outside the CMHA office. It began to sprout when the weather first started to warm, only to be hit by another cold snap shortly after. The tips of its leaves turned brown, showing clear signs of the beating it had taken, but it survived. Despite the cold, it kept growing. 

It felt like a perfect example of spring renewal. Each year, nature rests through the winter; things go dormant or appear to die off, only to return in the spring with new life and renewed strength. 

That little bloom stayed with me over the weekend as I sat in a lawn chair in the middle of my yard, surrounded by patches of snow. The sun was warm on my face; my barn birds were out enjoying the break in the cold, and even though winter hadn’t fully loosened its grip, there were signs that change was coming. It reminded me how much this season mirrors life itself. 

Just like spring in the Cariboo, life can feel unpredictable. One moment everything is going well, you’re feeling hopeful, energized, and ready to take on new projects. You’re excited to clean up the yard, uncover the garden beds, and put the patio furniture out. Then suddenly, winter shows up again, covering your plans in snow and forcing you to change course. 

Instead of giving in to another weekend of winter, I decided to adapt. I managed to get about half of what I’d planned done and then chose to simply sit, take in the sunshine, and enjoy the moment for what it was. It wasn’t what I’d imagined, but it was still good in its own way. 

That’s when it really hit me, life works the same way. Sometimes things are going smoothly, and then out of the blue something unexpected happens and throws you off course. Learning to be flexible and go with the flow isn’t always easy, especially for those of us who like to plan. 

I’m someone who finds comfort in structure. I like knowing what to expect. I’m the kind of traveler who has an itinerary planned weeks in advance, right down to the minute. Having a plan makes me feel in control. When things don’t go according to that plan, I struggle with adapting. 

This time of year, with its on‑again, off‑again weather, feels like a lesson I keep being given. I make plans to go ice fishing, and it warms up. I plan to clean the yard, and it snows. Again and again I’m reminded that some things are simply out of my control, whether I like it or not. 

What I can control is how I respond. I can look for the bright side, do my best with what I’ve been given, and keep moving forward, just like that little bloom outside my office door. 

When I arrived at work on Monday and saw that the bloom had been eaten down to the ground by deer, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Not because it was gone, but because that little bloom was refusing to give up, it was still there at its base, ready to grow back and keep blooming. 

So, when life hands you setbacks or throws unexpected challenges your way, take a page from nature’s book. Channel your inner bloom. Rest when you need to, bend when you must, and when the time is right, keep blooming. 

Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it. 

• Contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support at 250-395-4883. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 am – 4 pm. 

• Call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-353-2273. 

Written by Kristin Buxton