Loving the first signs of spring
Hate winter? Me too. Maybe that’s why I love spring so much. The dark, cold, miserable days—where even the simplest tasks feel like an effort—give way to lighter, brighter ones, filled with the promise of new possibilities.
Last weekend, you could almost feel the mood of the nation lift after just a couple of days of sunshine, with more still to come. The change is subtle—tiny hints in the air, the earth, and the sky. But if you slow down, you’ll notice nature gently waking up all around you. And I’d hate for anyone to miss it.
Some of the earliest signs of spring I’m loving are:
1. Snowdrops peeking through the grass
Often the very first flowers to appear, snowdrops push through frozen ground to remind us that new life is coming. Their delicate white petals stand out against the winter landscape, a quiet but powerful promise of change.
2. The lengthening of the days
Without even looking at a clock, you can feel the days stretching out. The evenings are no longer swallowed by darkness quite so early, and the morning light arrives a little sooner.
3. The first hints of birdsong at dawn
The still, quiet mornings of winter are slowly replaced by birds beginning to call again. They’re all starting their songs a little earlier, filling the air with a sense of anticipation.
4. Buds forming on bare branches
Look closely at trees and hedgerows, and you’ll see tiny buds beginning to swell. Even before they open, their presence signals that the season is shifting, life stirring just beneath the surface.
5. Dangling, golden catkins
Golden, pollen-filled catkins start appearing in late winter, swaying gently in the breeze, are one of the earliest signs that the natural world is waking up.
6. The first bees and butterflies
On Saturday, I saw my first sleepy bumblebee, and today, a butterfly flitting by—early risers from hibernation, sensing that spring is near.
7. Lambs in the fields
Nothing says spring is coming quite like the sight of newborn lambs bounding through green fields on wobbly legs, full of energy and joy. I deft anyone not to smile when you see them.
8. A shift in the weather
Last weekend, when I stepped outside, the air just felt different. Despite the still frosty nights, it feels like the bite of winter has softened, replaced by a gentler, milder weather. It carries the scent of new growth, and the quiet stirring of a season about to bloom.
Spring doesn’t arrive all at once—it tiptoes in, one small sign at a time. When you can slow down and notice, there’s a peaceful connection to the natural world and its quiet, soothing rhythms.
Grounded | A space for slowing down and embracing life’s simple pleasures | Katie Shapland