How the View Through a Window Can Reflect the Soul, Season, and Ourselves
Throughout the long winter, our windows are closed. Branches of nearby trees and bushes brush against the glass from time to time, reminding us that they are there, waiting to show off their beauty. The windows are double‑paned to protect us from the cold, and the mullions provide visual interest as we watch the snow fall, the wind whirl, and bundled walkers head for the bus stop.
In spring, the windows are raised or cranked open, and a beautiful breeze swirls throughout the room. The screens keep the flies and critters from assaulting us, but they allow pollen to join us in its irritating way. The pollen coats the car in a dirty yellow, like sifted flour. I know it will coat me as well if I spend much time outside. Fortunately, I am not allergic, but I can imagine the torture for those who are. That stuff is everywhere.
The pollen coats the windows too. That is why we schedule the window cleaners at the same time every year. That is a job we no longer want to do ourselves. We are long past climbing ladders and leaning over the edge. I am grateful for these cleaners. We can wash the screens—they can be pulled inside—but we leave the windows to the professionals.
The windows bring in the scent of the cherry blossoms as they bloom first, before the garden wakes up. Then the bulbs and ground covers appear, providing a colorful display, though most are not fragrant. The “eye candy” makes up for the lack of scent. Soon the flowers in the garden bloom, offering a lovely mix of fragrances depending on which side of the house you frequent.
I love the jasmine and the climbing roses, as well as the forsythia that bends over the fence. Perhaps my favorite is the clematis. We have three of them. One is quite large, having climbed up the pole for years. The other two are fairly new and need coaxing to stay on the trellis and get busy blooming. As the perennials open and the roses plump up, the garden becomes the place to be. Of course, there is plenty of work to keep you busy out there, but the joy and reward are worth the effort.
Sometimes I think the garden is the window to the soul.
For more reflections on seasonal renewal, emotional awareness, and the psychology of everyday life, explore articles on Psychology Today and research from Greater Good Science Center.
If you are navigating your own season of change or seeking clarity during a transition, therapy can help you understand what to nurture and what to release. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional growth and renewal.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
