7 Inspiring Winter-to-Spring Quotes for Slow Living from the English Countryside

This period between Winter and Spring is beautiful – the slow awakening of nature, the first delicate flowers and buds, the sun filtering through still-bare branches in the forest...

The moment I spot the first snowdrops, my longing for Spring begins. In theory, snowdrops are Winter flowers, but their presence is a little promise from Mother Nature that slowly but surely, Spring is on its way. First snowdrops and primroses, followed by crocuses and daffodils... and before we know it, the world will be full of colour again and we will feel the warmth of the sunshine.

On the 1st of February, we're celebrating Imbolc, also known as St. Brigid's Day, which marks the beginning of Spring! It's the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Although it’s still the very early days of Spring, you can usually spot the first flowers and lambs grazing in the fields. It’s such a joyous time, full of hope and renewed energy. 

The unchanged order of the seasons is incredibly reassuring, reminding us that everything has its time. The truth is that nature cannot be hurried, but also that no matter how long and cold Winter is, Spring will eventually arrive. It’s a reminder that goes beyond the weather – difficult times don’t last, and eventually, things will improve.

Discover our hand-poured candles 
inspired by the scents of the English countryside.

I hope these few Winter-to-Spring quotes will inspire you to go through the rest of the Winter days with optimism, feeling uplifted and excited for the Spring to come!

1. "If we had no Winter, the Spring would not be so pleasant." – Anne Bradstreet

A simple yet easy-to-forget truth: thanks to times of adversity, we get to appreciate the good times more. It's not unusual to grow insensitive to things that are always present in our lives, like our home or health. Understanding what’s on the other side - such as losing your home or experiencing illness - helps us appreciate the simple things in everyday life even more.

2. "No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn." – Hal Borland

We can look at this quote literally and feel uplifted, remembering that even after the coldest and gloomiest of Winters, Spring will always come. This also extends to our lives and the fact that things have their order in the grander scheme of things. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is relax and wait for things to unfold as they are meant to.

3. "Where flowers bloom, so does hope." – Lady Bird Johnson

I love this quote! Spring is a time of renewed energy, with the first flowers appearing in our gardens and forest paths, filling our hearts with joy and hope.

4. "The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light." – Sandra Kring

Often, when asked for advice about starting a business, I say that beginning is the hardest part and this quote puts it into a beautiful metaphor. To grow, we need to do the "groundwork," setting the base for our future endeavours. It’s usually not easy, simple or quick, but it’s the only way to begin any meaningful change in life.

5. "Blossom by blossom, the Spring begins." – Algernon Charles Swinburne

A lovely reminder that things in life often happen gradually – one step at a time. Blossom by blossom, trees come alive again in Spring. It doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does reaching our goals or achieving success.

6. "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." – Lao Tzu

An all-year-round quote, but so important to remember between Winter and Spring when we (ahem, I mean "me") feel like rushing into the warm and sunny days. Nature and its cycles unfold in exactly the right time and so will the things that are meant for us in life. No need to rush – just trust and accept.

7. "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Similarly to the quote above, this is an all-year-round truth that highlights the virtue of patience – so scarce in my own life, haha;) Patience brings so much good: it makes us slow down and appreciate what we have in the moment, while understanding that new, different, or better things are also coming – just at the right time.

A Few Closing Words

I’m writing this post wrapped in a blanket, with the gentle hum of the radiator and a greying sky beyond the window. Midway through January, I already spotted snowdrops, primroses, and even a single yellow daffodil. Despite the forest still being quiet and bare, I can sense the energy changing.

My dear mum, Elżbieta, often says that the older you get, the faster time seems to pass, and my gosh, it’s true. I dread to think that in the blink of an eye, I’ll be writing about Autumn and pumpkins again.

So, despite my heart jumping ahead to full Spring, let’s make the most of these in-between days, appreciating the little early signs of Spring like snowdrops and the still-cold but sunny days, patiently following the rhythm of nature.

Thank you for reading,
Adriana x

Shop "Cosy Cottage" Magnolia & Cherry Candle & Rustic Ceramic Jug