There’s a moment in every spring where you pause on a trail, soaked to the skin, shoes caked in mud, wind tugging at your hood - and laugh. Because you know: this is the good stuff. The real stuff. The stuff that builds you.
Spring can feel so optimistic and the year ahead full of possibilities, but it doesn’t always arrive gently. The trails are waterlogged, the weather changes on a whim, and you find yourself dodging puddles (or not) as the wind whistles through your jacket. But here’s the thing: leaning into that mess, that unpredictability, is what makes you a better adventurer - and, according to psychologists, a more resilient human being.
Let It Rain
There’s such a power in saying yes to a walk, a run, a ride - even when the sky’s grey and the forecast is uncertain. In doing so, you're saying yes to resilience. Psychologists talk about “manageable stressors” - those little life challenges that, when we face them, help us grow stronger over time. A blustery bike ride or a sodden hike might not seem like much, but every one adds another layer of inner grit.
Wet feet, muddy calves, cold fingers - they remind us we're alive, that we can cope, that we don’t need everything to be Instagram-perfect to be worth it.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that nature experiences that are “more physically demanding or emotionally intense” can have stronger restorative effects - likely because they provide a sense of achievement and increased mindfulness.
The Trail Teaches You
Every muddy trail is a lesson in adaptability. Slippery ground? You learn to place your feet more mindfully. Driving rain? You figure out which layers really keep you warm. Gusty wind? You discover muscles you didn’t know you had (and maybe a few new swear words too).
More than that, every challenge the trail throws at you boosts your self-efficacy - that’s the fancy psychological term for believing you can handle life’s curveballs. And guess what? That confidence doesn’t stop at the edge of the forest. It follows you into the everyday.
This is Where the Good Stuff Grows
Spring adventures aren’t always about blue skies and blossom. They’re about noticing the snowdrops pushing through the slush. The frogs spawning in muddy puddles. The bright yellow gorse that seems to thrive on the edge of everything.
And maybe you're a bit like that gorse - resilient, bright, and at your best when you let the wind blow through you.
Science agrees that being in nature - especially when you’re immersed in it, physically and mentally - can lower cortisol levels, improve mood, and help you feel more connected to the world around you. One study even found that outdoor experiences that were physically or emotionally intense had the strongest restorative effects. In other words, a bit of weather doesn’t ruin the experience - it deepens it.
So Go On, Get Muddy
Whether it's a quick stomp through the woods before tea or a full day out on the hill, don’t wait for the mud to dry. This season is all about growth - yours included.
Accept the mess. Celebrate the grit. And remember, every soggy step is a story you’ll be glad you lived.
Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Book
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Florence Williams explores how exposure to the full range of natural conditions—including cold, rain, and wind—can boost mood, build resilience, and strengthen our connection to nature. She interviews scientists and adventurers who argue that “good discomfort” is essential for growth.
Favourite Quote
Favourite Song
Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage
Rather than hiding away at home, stick this on your playlist and face the day!
