'From Bare Beginnings Comes New Growth' - Emma Coonan's monthly column

As the cold snap and dark evenings embrace us this week, it is safe to say that Winter is officially here. The bare trees silhouette against vibrant early evening sunsets, and squirrels and foxes are busy gathering their stores – or at least they are in our estate as we are lucky enough to see lots of both at the moment.

If the chilly weather wasn’t enough to remind us of the Winter season, the Christmas twinkle and cheer adorning every shop window is a true sign. For many it is too early, and for some it can’t come soon enough. Whichever camp you belong to, November is drawing to a close, and so the seasonal preparations are approaching.

A Time of Loss

As the end of the year approaches and we find ourselves looking back on what the year has brought us, when reflecting on what to write about this month I felt it was appropriate to consider and acknowledge feelings and experiences of loss that many are going through at this time.

For some this loss can be centred on what might have been, or change we never expected to face. For others this loss may be significant and tangible, related with and connected to real events and experiences that may be having a significant impact on our lives.

As we look towards the Christmas season that is approaching, and the everyday weeks and months beyond into next year, some may struggle to see beyond that loss. That is only natural, especially if that loss is having a significant impact on our lives, it can be hard to see beyond and find inspiration and hope. As I thought about things that are constant and strong, I landed as I often do during difficult times, on nature.

Bare Roots Need Time to Grow

For the gardeners among us, you will be busy making other kinds of seasonal preparations this month, as you will know that this is the time for bare root planting, be it roses or fruit trees. Bare now, they will remain dormant until they are ready for Spring growth.

It can be easy to forget that some of the most vibrant flowers, bushes, and trees we see towering above us during the spring, summer and autumn seasons were once so stark and bear.

We often think of rose bushes and fruit trees as reliably abundant and bright in beautiful shades of green and red, forgetting that this brightness can only come if they are allowed some time to be bare.

Although November can seem like a stark month, these bare roots cannot bloom or bear fruit unless they are planted now in the cold and dark ground. This can help to remind us that there is always life waiting to emerge, no matter how dark or bare things may seem.

Darkest Before the Dawn

As much truth as there may be in the wisdom of nature, it can be hard, if not impossible sometimes, to gain comfort from it when things seem darkest.

In fact, ideas like nature might seem a million miles away from current feelings of grief, loss, fear, or worry. There is therefore no right topic to land on at a time like this.

It is however true what they say, that it is always darkest before the dawn, and having been in the dark myself at times over the years, as many of us have, I write this article knowing that this topic might seem trivial to those in difficulty. And yet it feels important to also light a candle for hope, be it in words, prayers, or kind gestures, of which there are many doing the rounds this month thanks to a strong and compassionate community.

READ NEXT: Taste of Christmas Festival returns to Roscrea for 2025

As we think about nature and our wellbeing, bare rooted trees are a reminder of the darkness that comes before the dawn.
They must survive the cold winter days and nights, so that they can thrive come spring and begin again. Even if they don’t bear fruit this spring because they just need more time, they will bloom in the next spring to come, all the stronger for it.

A final thought

During times of loss and greatest difficulty, it can be hard to find a topic that brings any comfort, and harder still to see ahead to a time when things won’t seem so dark. Like the bare rooted shrubs and trees best planted in Winter, time, care, good company, and quiet determination, often marked simply by putting one foot in front of the other, can lead the way towards new growth, and the light of hope ahead.

Emma Coonan (pictured above) is an Accredited Psychotherapist with IAHIP and ICP, Lectures in Psychotherapy, and is a qualified Adult Education Trainer. After leaving Coláiste Phobal Roscrea, Emma studied English and Media in Maynooth University, before combining her Psychotherapy training with experience in the corporate world. Emma focuses on applying Psychotherapy practices for everyday living, through developing resilience, stress response, and mindfulness practice.