'Hope is the thing with feathers' - wellbeing with local Psychotherapist, Emma Coonan

As August draws to a close, another seasonal shift is upon us. Where do these seasons go, I find myself asking more and more these days, as the weeks and months seem to move quickly from one season to the next.

After many weeks of sunny warm weather, feeling that little nip in the air come evening time reminds us that change will always come, whether we feel ready for it or not. With the Rose of Tralee on our screens, and back to school bags and uniforms in shop windows, we prepare to see in yet another new chapter.

Seasonal Shifts

The seasons for many provide a predictability and constancy, often in contrast to the unpredictable world we live in. Unexpected events can crop up from nowhere, taking us in a split second from just a run of the mill day, to an extraordinary one. I found myself reflecting this week on how often this can happen to us, thinking as I often do of that 90’s movie ’Sliding Doors,’ and just how many ‘sliding doors’ moments we each have every day.

While we can’t predict the future, or change the past, the predictability of the seasons can provide us with some foundation on which to navigate life’s surprises and challenges. Of course, even the seasons cannot always be relied upon fully, as we know when a cold wind blows our summer hat off, or the rain interrupts our picnic.

The support we can draw from the seasons is therefore not only about the weather, but the rituals we associate with each season. Those of us who watched the Rose of Tralee last week may agree that there is a certain level of comfort in this annual tradition which many would say marks the end of the summer season, and signals the beginning of the next. It is often these traditions and enjoyment of familiar events which can support our sense of wellbeing.

Hope as a wellbeing practice

Another important but sometimes overlooked wellbeing practice is connection with a sense of hope, especially when things seem darkest. It can be hard to remember this simple yet essential practice when life continues to throw us curve balls, however in its simplicity it can be accessible to all of us, no matter how deep we may feel we need to reach for its glimmer.

Those of us who remember our leaving cert English are likely to remember studying Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘’Hope’ is the thing with feathers.' When I think about the practice of hope, I cannot help but think of this poem, which has always stayed with me in its simplicity.

The reminder that hope is “sweetest in the gale”, the hardest and darkest times, and the warmth it brings when things seem at their worst, is one which can help us to face the hard times, perhaps when all else fails.

Sometimes, when times are toughest, accessing any feeling of hope can seem impossible. The very fact that some situations can simply feel hopeless seems to predict that hope cannot be accessed during these times. From a wellbeing perspective, it can be important to remember that hope can be accessed even if it is in very small ways, during these times of apparent hopelessness.

Looking towards a new dawn

While mindfulness practice usually encourages us to stay in the present moment, it can also draw from past and future events and imaginings to help us in the moment. If we find ourselves struggling in the moment, we often need these past and future anchors to calm and support us, as sometimes the present moment may simply feel too unsteady.

When all hope seems lost, there are some simple practices which can serve us. Looking back at, for example, old photos can remind us that we were once more content, carefree, and hopeful than we may feel right now. This can help to reassure us that it is possible to feel this way, and it is possible to feel this way again.

Similarly, casting our minds forward by a week, month, or even a year in the future to imagine our future selves is a practice which can help to reassure us that this event or events will eventually pass, and we won’t always be grappling with current worries or fears. In this way, hope can be accessed by borrowing from past and imagined future moments.

A final thought

As a new September draws near, summer struggles and autumn fears may be upon us. This may be a good time to put in place some small and simple wellbeing practices to help us step into this new dawn, hopefully with a sense of hope to accompany us.