Self-Growth: Spring Equinox Special | ep150
Today marks the Spring Equinox. The Spring teaches us so much about growth and beauty. Oftentimes we forget that some of our most difficult moments create the soil for our greatest growth.
For Iranians, this time of year is all about new beginnings—physically and spiritually — because the Spring Equinox marks the Iranian New Year! Iranians celebrate the new year on the first day of spring and we call it Norooz- which literally means “new day.”
We believe that how you ring in the New Year sets the tone for the coming year.
So in the weeks leading up to the Spring Equinox, there are many traditions that we follow to start fresh in the New Year.
We clean out the junk and negativity from our lives.
We declutter and sage our homes.
And we always take a moment to reflect on the past year and set new intentions for the year ahead.
As a young girl, I focused more on the future; I loved setting new goals and intentions. I saw it as a redo from the western New Year in January. But now I understand why we were encouraged to also look to the past during Norooz: because it’s our past that forms the foundation of our growth.
One of the main symbols we use during Norooz is flowers. We place them all over our homes. They are a literal sign of beauty, growth and rebirth.
But flowers also remind us that growth and beauty are nourished by dirt- the mess, the pain, the sorrow, the heartbreak.
Without the mess, the flower could not exist.
And without my own mess, so much of my own beauty could not exist.
Yes, the Spring Equinox is about beauty, rebirth and growth, but it’s also about acknowledging the “dirt” that has allowed you to be here. It’s about recognizing that growth would not be possible without the mess.
Because usually, our biggest messes offer us the most fertile areas of growth.
Love, as we usher in the spring, as we witness all the beauty blooming around us, recognize that beauty is nothing without soil.
Recognize that Mother Nature nourishes each and everything in the natural world with remnants of its past.
Isn’t it the fallen decomposing leaves that create mulch for the coming spring?
This spring, I encourage you fully embrace the person you’re becoming and honor the experiences that are allowing for this blossoming.
We’re all blossoms rooted in soil, love.
In honor of spring, this week's journal prompts and podcast episode focus on how we can look to mother nature to inform us about beauty and growth.
Happy Norooz, Love💐
Journal Prompts:
Try the following prompts below and see what resonates:
If you were a flower, what would your soil be made of this year?
What experiences would make up your soil? What is the compost that creates your soil?
How is this soil making you stronger or allowing for your growth to happen?
What is the potential beauty here?
If you enjoyed this, you’ll enjoy the rest of the “Self” series!
We have a lot of misconceptions about what creates self-confidence. We think self-confidence is a result of our accomplishments and achievements, that it means being “the best” or being perfect. But, love, true self-confidence starts within ourselves. Listen to the first episode of this series to learn what self-confidence means, how to improve your self-confidence, and what holds us back from fully stepping into it.
Do you struggle with finding motivation? Have you found yourself no longer excited to pursue a goal that once lit you up? I have a truth for you, love: motivation isn’t what you think it is. It doesn’t show up magically more for some than for others. In this episode, I want to share what motivation really is and 5 characteristics I notice motivated people have in common.
Let’s talk about one of the most powerful mindset tools you can cultivate. Self-compassion is key to doing hard things, it’s key to creativity, and it needs to become the foundation of everything that we do. I’ve never said this before but love, this episode is *REQUIRED* listening if you want to create the most unimaginable dream life.
Did you know that each podcast episode comes with free guided journal prompts?
If you want to be in the know and get each Mindset Monday straight to your inbox complete with journal prompts to take you even further, get on my email list.
About your host, Shirin Eskandani
Hi, love! I’m Shirin.
Coach, speaker, writer, and life alchemist.
I teach you how to listen to your intuition again, tune out all the BS, and let your heart lead the way.
Because once you strengthen your inner GPS, decisions become easier, boundaries become clearer, and belly laughs become a daily thing.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME:
I’m a certified life coach (accredited through the International Coach Federation)
My husband and I met on Instagram and we live in Brooklyn, NY with our plant babies
I have a masters degree in Music and was a professional opera singer for twelve years. I worked all over the world singing on stage at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera (more on that later…).
I believe in the woo just as much as I do the work (internal and external). No amount of crystals and affirmations will make up for a lack of a healthy mindset and aligned action.
I love all the Real Housewives franchises. Don’t make me choose one… seriously, don’t.