Sowing new seeds, Growing from experience.

There’s something about spring that feels like permission.
To reset. To reimagine. To begin again.

This month, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into a new role—one that’s energizing, expansive, and full of unexplored terrain. Mind you, navigating any unknown brings some discomfort. But it’s also offered me a powerful reminder—that just because something feels new doesn’t mean I’m starting from scratch.

A new garden bed doesn’t erase last year’s harvest.
A new system doesn’t erase years of learning how to navigate complexity.
We carry more with us than we think.

I thought of a piece I wrote last year, inspired by a Cup of Jo story by Alex Ronan, about her first experience with gardening. After sowing her seeds, she nervously admitted to a friend, “I’m not sure this is going to work.” Her friend—an experienced gardener—replied gently:
“Seeds want to grow.”

That line has stayed with me.

Even when we feel like beginners, we often forget the resilience, knowledge, and instincts we’ve cultivated over time. Yes, the unfamiliar can be daunting. But when we stay open and trust that our foundations are solid, things tend to take root faster than we expect.

We do get to marvel like beginners.
But we also get to lean on everything we’ve learned.

The beginner is surprised when something blooms. The experienced hand knows it might—but still delights when it does.

So if you’re planting something new this season—professionally, creatively, or personally—give yourself room for both: the wonder of beginning and the quiet confidence of everything you already carry.
And remember: Seeds want to grow.