I Grow in the Rain — Why Storms Shape Us
The rain started before sunrise. Not a dramatic storm — just a quiet, steady tapping against the
window. The kind of rain that feels like a reminder: growth rarely happens in perfect conditions.
As the rain beats, I know this sound too well. As I stare out the window, I stop to consider the
implications for another wet day, realizing the rain’s impact to bring reality squarely into the
moment.
We spend so much of our lives trying to avoid discomfort. We chase stability, predictability,
sunshine. But the truth is that most meaningful change begins in the rain — in the moments
when life feels uncertain, shifting, or even breaking open. This is often a scary prospect. One
often immediately reaches for an umbrella or raincoat to shield from the impact of an
impending storm.
Developmental psychology has a name for these moments. Levinson called them midlife
transitions — seasons when we stop measuring life by how much time has passed and begin
measuring it by how much time we have left. Erikson described them as identity
reorganizations that happen across the lifespan, not just in adolescence.
And research shows this clearly: Periods of discomfort often precede periods of growth. I know,
I have experienced such moments of growth despite observing immediate change.
Interestingly, I have come to appreciate the value of standing in the rain.
Rain is not a failure. Rain is a catalyst. A catalyst?
When we allow ourselves to stand still in the storm — to feel the restlessness, the longing, the
questions — we begin to uncover the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored. The cleansing
properties of rain, strips away old debris helping us to see a glimpse of change towards feeling
renewed. We begin to grow, little-by-litte, roots (knowledge) deeper than before.
This blog, I Grow in the Rain, is about honoring those seasons. It’s about understanding that
storms don’t break us — they shape us. I have come to understand and deeply appreciate the
meaning of the rain in my own life and how it has shaped who I have become. On days when I
get wet, I no longer run as fast for my umbrella. Instead, the rain’s exposure may act as a
healing balm, preparing me for an awakening despite feelings of stagnation.
If you’re in a rainy season right now, you’re not falling apart. You are not alone. You’re
becoming. Stand still and let it rain!
Jacqueline Hemmings
Registered Provisional Psychologist
