Teachings from the Natural World: The Resilient Willow
Willow trees are known to withstand extremely adverse conditions. Various species of willows act as armor against climate distortions across the world. For example, willows are often planted at the banks of rivers where erosion is likely to occur, and flooding is a high risk. As willow trees stabilize the land, they are highly adaptive to maintain their own integrity and health. These trees actually bend in the face of harsh winds and roaring water. They are less likely to break, adjusting their stance, their widespread roots anchoring them into floors of soaked soil and wheatgrass. The willow may look as if it’s been through distress, the trunk seemingly twisted in knots, and branches crooked at haphazard bends. It has, with no need to hide it. Still, the willow stands firm in strength and in circumstance.
How are we humans like willows? Or would we like to be more like them? The willow is a representation of resilience through hard times. It also exemplifies that two things can be true. While willows adapt through adversity, their experience of enduring it shows in their bodies. We may find ourselves in the willows when distress or trauma leaves our emotions unregulated, behaviors dysfunctional, or bodies inflamed. When it comes to healing from adversity, you may find it unnerving to move on, for fear that strength will constantly be expected of you. This is a myth. The expectations do not matter.
The important questions are:
1) How will you see yourself
2) How do you want to live?
Another fear may be that we are leaving the pain behind, letting go of something familiar, or seeming to not care if we remain strong or move on. This makes sense.
And also, our experiences are something that we own forever and make us the unique and purposeful individuals we are. Nobody can take them from us. We all have different experiences; moreover, we all have different insights to contribute to the world. We all have different root patterns and intricate trunk paths that make us exquisite and necessary, like the whimsical and hardworking willow. We’ll get flooded again, like the willows, and we’ll display another bend again, like the willows, but we, too, can be strong like the willows.
Might these dialectic lines be tools to acknowledge your pain and believe in your strength at the same time? Remember, what you have gone through is not lost on you if you also want to choose to grow on.
I have been affected. ===== I stand strong.
I want to give up. ===== I want to keep going.
I have failed. ===== I can succeed.
I have lost. ====== I know love.
References
Markus-Michalczyk, H. (2020). The adaptive capacity of the willow (Salix alba L.) to bridge the gap between MPAs and harbour entrances. Marine Protected Areas. (pp. 649-666.) https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102698-4.00033-2.
Robinson, N. (2025). How Do Willow Trees Help The Environment By Supporting Biodiversity And Preventing Erosion. Tree Fluent. https://treefluent.com/how-do-willow-trees-help-the-environment/