Why Rushing Growth Can Weaken It—Lessons from Leggy Seedlings
There’s something thrilling about seeing the first tiny green shoots push through the soil.
When I planted my seeds in February, I checked them obsessively—watching, waiting, willing them to appear. And when they finally did, I was elated. They were growing!
But then, I noticed something.
Some of my seedlings were growing too fast. Their stems stretched long and thin, desperately reaching for light. At first, it seemed like a good sign—they were thriving, right?
Not quite.
They were what gardeners call "leggy"—too much upward growth, too soon, without enough strength to sustain themselves. And unless I intervened, they wouldn’t survive when it mattered most.
The Problem With Growing Too Quickly
A seedling that grows too fast doesn’t develop strong roots.
It spends all its energy reaching for the light, neglecting the foundation it needs to support itself. When the time comes to face the elements—to be transplanted, to endure wind, rain, and real-life conditions—it struggles. The stem is weak. The resilience isn’t there.
And isn’t this true for us, too?
We live in a world that glorifies rapid progress. We want results now. We celebrate overnight success, instant transformations, and quick fixes. But real, sustainable growth—whether in nature, in our personal lives, or in our dreams—doesn’t work like that.
We need time to establish roots.
We need depth before height.
We need a strong foundation, not just quick results.
Trusting the Timing of Your Own Growth
Not every seed germinates at the same speed.
Some seedlings pop up almost immediately, reaching toward the sun in eager bursts of energy. Others take their time, growing slowly beneath the soil, where no one can see. And yet, the slower ones are often the strongest.
They don’t rush.
They don’t push too hard, too soon.
They take their time to build what they need—so that when the time comes, they thrive.
The same is true for us.
🌱 Not all growth is visible right away. Just because you don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean things aren’t happening beneath the surface.
🌊 Rushing can lead to burnout. When we push too hard, too fast, we risk stretching ourselves thin—without the foundation to sustain it.
💫 Strong roots create lasting growth. Whether it’s a new habit, a creative project, or personal healing, the deeper the foundation, the stronger the outcome.
How to Grow Strong, Not Just Fast
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow progress, take a lesson from nature: growth isn’t meant to be rushed. Here’s how to embrace a more sustainable approach:
🌿 Give yourself space to establish roots.
Focus on building a solid foundation before pushing forward.
What’s the equivalent of strong roots in your life? (Daily rituals, small consistent actions, inner work?)
🌱 Trust that slow progress is still progress.
The strongest trees grow slowly. The most beautiful blooms take time.
What if not being “there” yet is part of the process?
🌞 Find the right conditions for steady growth.
Just like seedlings need light, warmth, and good soil, we need the right environment to thrive.
What in your life supports your growth? What might be hindering it?
A Final Thought
Nature doesn’t rush, and yet everything unfolds exactly as it should.
Maybe your growth isn’t happening as quickly as you’d like. Maybe you feel like nothing is changing, nothing is happening, nothing is growing.
But it is.
Beneath the surface, deepening, strengthening, preparing.
And when the time is right, you won’t just reach for the light—you’ll be strong enough to stand in it.
Want More Seasonal Wisdom?
Every week in Ebb & Flow Field Notes, I share reflections on living in tune with nature’s rhythms—slow growth, seasonal rituals, and gentle guidance for embracing life’s natural cycles.
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