Christmas Trees in Summer: A Reflection on Growth Out of Season

Last month, I was travelling through Scotland with my sisters during the heatwave. The landscape looked incredibly green beneath a clear blue sky, and all across the Highlands, Scotch pines were growing tall and strong.

As tourists, we couldn’t help but take photos. It felt magical and surreal—surrounded by what looked like Christmas trees on the mountains, right in the middle of summer.

These trees, standing proudly without decorations or fanfare, inspired me to write this piece.

The Christmas Tree Without the Glitter

When I think of a Christmas tree, I think of glittering lights, festive baubles, celebration, and gatherings. But these only happen around Christmas—during winter.

So what happens to Christmas trees in summer—when there’s no spotlight, no decorations, and no one gathering around? Are they just... standing there, quietly holding the ground?

Don’t we sometimes feel like that too—out of season, not where we thought we’d be?
While others around us are blooming—starting new jobs, launching projects, filling calendars—we might feel still, slow, or unseen.

But like the Christmas tree in summer, perhaps you’re doing important grounding work, just without the external recognition. Or maybe you’re simply preparing for your next season to shine.

Let’s explore what we can do—and honour—during these non-peak seasons.

Reconnect with Your Purpose

Trees aren’t just planted for decoration. They hold the ground—preventing erosion, landslides, and danger. That’s the deeper purpose of those sturdy pines.

Even when it feels like nothing is changing on the surface, you might be the one keeping things steady. Maybe a teammate is off on a well-earned break and you're keeping things running.
Maybe you're anchoring your household, your team, or your business.

That’s quiet strength. That’s purpose.

Over the past few years, I’ve been mentoring clients at Tree Shepherd, supporting them as they work toward their goals. I find it deeply rewarding to walk alongside my clients on their journeys. At the same time, they quietly support me—motivating me to keep coaching and inspiring me to study it more deeply. Together, we create spaces for connection, trust, and growth. It’s mutually beneficial—and it’s something we can only offer when we slow down and make time.

Check and Adjust Your Plan

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison when we have more time on our hands. How often do we scroll through social media, see others' achievements—and feel like we haven’t measured up?

But is it even worth comparing? Everyone is a different individual. We live different lives with different purposes.

Does a tree ever compare itself to a summer-blooming flower? Probably not—they're different species, serving different roles.

If you’re a businessperson selling electric fans, summer is your peak season. If you're selling duvets, your time is winter. Most businesses—and lives—have their own rhythms.

From my experience in product and retail planning, I’ve learned that every product has a life cycle. Part of my job has always been to ensure the right product is bought at the right time, in the right quantity, for the right place.

So take time to review what you're offering—whether it’s a service, a goal, or a physical product.

Ask yourself:

• Has this quiet period been accounted for?

• Are you okay with how things are going?

• Do you need to adjust your goals or timeline?

If you're working—or looking for work—remember: we can’t control everything. Summer is often quieter, and the economy right now is uncertain.

Can we control the job market? Probably not. What we can control is our own actions: whether to keep going, to rest, or to pivot. Every action—and every inaction—has consequences. But there’s always room to adjust, reframe, or try something new.

Support Others and Build Connections

Trees support each other. In forests—especially older ones—they’re connected underground through a network of roots, known by scientists as the Wood Wide Web. Through this hidden system, they share nutrients, send warnings, and help weaker trees survive.

As humans, we don’t always need the spotlight to make a difference. Quiet times can be a gift—a chance to support others and build meaningful connections.

Maybe a friend is launching something new, or a colleague is leading a big project. You could offer help during your quieter spell. These moments of support, though often unnoticed, build stronger relationships. And in the process, we often grow too.

This is also a good time to strengthen your network and deepen your connections—because you never know when those relationships will support you in return.

Like trees in a forest, we’re stronger when we quietly support one another.

Strengthen Your Roots

Trees continue adapting and growing, no matter the season. So should we.

Without the spotlight, we’re given space to reflect—on our values, our boundaries, and who we are becoming. Being “out of season” allows us to strengthen what matters and release habits that no longer serve us.

Lately, I’ve been reading Carl Rogers’ On Becoming a Person, which reminded me that everything in life is changing, and we are always in the process of becoming.

By strengthening our roots, I mean taking the time to ask:

• Who do I want to be as a wife, a sister, a daughter?

• Who do I want to be as a manager, a colleague, or a business owner?

Clarifying our beliefs helps us stand stronger—so we can grow into the people we truly want to be.

Prepare for Your Blooming Season

While we enjoy summer, Christmas tree farmers are working hard—making sure the trees get the nutrients, water, and sunlight they need to grow strong. Why? So that when the season arrives, the trees are ready to shine.

The same goes for us.

Use your quiet season to prepare for your time to bloom. Learn something new that supports your personal or professional growth. It doesn’t have to be formal—when I was a child, I learned to type by playing a computer game, and I still use that skill today.

Learning can come in many forms. If you make it fun and meaningful, you’re more likely to keep practising—and eventually, it becomes part of who you are.

Or simply take this time to rest and enjoy your loved ones. You may not get the same quality time when life picks up again.

Final Thoughts

As a coach, I often sit with clients in their “out of season”—the in-between, the unclear, the waiting. They often feel like they’ve fallen behind.

But the truth is: growth doesn’t always look like movement.
Sometimes the work is invisible.
Sometimes the transformation is internal.
Sometimes the season is rest—not because you’re lazy or lost, but because you’re human.

Not blooming doesn’t mean you’re not becoming.

So this August, I invite you to embrace your inner summer Christmas tree.

Let your season be what it is.
Trust that your time will come.
And in the meantime, keep standing.
Keep growing.

Quietly. Purposefully. Beautifully.