Spring Shifts: The Season of Change (And What That Might Stir Up)

It’s been about a month since my last blog post, and already so much has shifted. The clocks have gone forward, the sun’s been kind to us here in North Cornwall, and there’s that familiar feeling in the air—like the world is stretching, unfurling, and shaking off the cobwebs of winter.

For many people, spring brings a renewed sense of energy and possibility. The longer days, the birdsong, the fresh coastal walks… it all signals that it might be time to do something—to clear out the old, make a change, or take a step toward something better. Whether you’re someone I’ve worked with in the past, you're in sessions with me now, or you're simply curious about hypnotherapy, you might be feeling that pull too.

And yet… not everyone welcomes this shift.

The change in season can bring its own kind of pressure. Perhaps it’s a seasonal phobia—fear of flying as holidays approach, anxiety around bees or wasps, or a rise in social overwhelm now that outdoor events and gatherings are back on the calendar. For others, body image concerns and weight-related worries can be triggered by lighter clothes, beach plans, or just the rising tide of social media ‘wellness’ content. Even if none of these quite land, there’s often an unspoken expectation that you should be feeling brighter, lighter, and ready to leap into action. If you’re not feeling that, it can be incredibly isolating.

So let’s pause there.

Your brain—and your nervous system—don’t always move with the seasons. They move with patterns, safety cues, and deeply held associations. If you’ve been stuck in a stress response for a while (which many people have been, particularly over winter), your subconscious might not register “sunshine” as a green light to relax and thrive. Instead, it might still be operating in survival mode—running old scripts that say, “Play it safe,” “Don’t stand out,” or “It’s not safe to slow down.”

This is where hypnotherapy can help.

When we work together, we're gently shifting the patterns running beneath the surface—those subconscious associations that can keep you stuck. Through relaxation and guided suggestion, hypnotherapy helps your brain access the calmer, more open state associated with the parasympathetic nervous system. It’s in this state that the mind becomes more flexible, more curious, and more able to imagine—and believe in—a different way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

So if spring is stirring something in you—whether it’s a longing to feel more confident, a desire to break an old habit, or simply a hope to feel a little less anxious day to day—here are a few gentle ways to support yourself:

🌿 Notice your internal seasons. You don’t need to match the energy of everyone around you. Tune in to what your body and mind are telling you they need right now.

🌿 Name what’s niggling. If something’s been quietly bothering you—whether it’s a fear, a habit, or a pressure you can’t shake—naming it is the first step to loosening its grip.

🌿 Find small ways to ground. Even just five minutes of mindful breathing, a barefoot moment on the grass, or a calm walk without your phone can begin to shift your nervous system into a calmer state.

🌿 Ask for support. You don’t need to figure everything out on your own. Hypnotherapy can offer a gentle but effective way to explore what’s going on beneath the surface—and start changing it.

If you’re thinking of returning to hypnotherapy, or curious to try it for the first time, I offer a free 15-minute Discovery Call to help you decide whether it’s right for you. There’s no pressure—just a calm, friendly space to talk.

Wherever you find yourself this spring—excited, exhausted, hopeful, or hesitant—I hope you can meet yourself with kindness.

Warmly,
Ellie