“The late winter’s to leave, but still lingers… At morrow daybreak, the full spring sight’s drawing near.”
(Zhu Shuzhen)
Noticing the signs of change
Anyone who has lived through a northern winter may recognise the feeling Zhu Shuzhen describes – the subtle signs of change that appear before spring fully arrives.
The season is clearly shifting.
The days are getting longer.
The light lingers a little later in the evening.
And yet winter still holds on.
At least where I am in the UK, there’s still a definite nip in the air on some mornings.
It’s that in-between moment when something new is clearly on its way, even though the old season hasn’t quite finished yet.
I sometimes notice something similar in coaching conversations.
A new understanding begins to appear. A different way of seeing something starts to take shape.
And yet the old feelings or patterns may still linger for a while.
From the outside it might look like nothing has really changed.
But often the shift has already begun.
Just like the first signs of spring.
And sometimes the change works differently.
Sometimes something is seen so clearly that it can’t quite be unseen.
In those moments the shift can feel almost immediate, even if the circumstances around someone take time to catch up.
Both kinds of change seem completely natural.
Sometimes insight unfolds slowly, like the seasons turning.
And sometimes it arrives all at once.
Neither is right or wrong.
Just different ways that something new can appear.
Questions for coaches
If you’re a coach, you might enjoy reflecting on a few of these:
- Where does something in your life feel slow to shift?
- What signs of change are already present?
- When have you noticed insight appearing gradually rather than all at once?
- What helps you recognise when something new is beginning to emerge?
No need to answer them all. Sometimes one question is enough.
A quiet thought
Seasons rarely change overnight.
Often the new one is already arriving…
even while the old one lingers.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach who works with thoughtful professionals and coaches who want a quieter, more honest way forward.
Her work creates space for reflection and insight, helping people reconnect with their own clarity, wisdom, and direction.