The Beauty You Don’t Always See: A Midwest Spring Perspective

When I lived in Texas for a few years, people would often ask what I missed most about the Midwest. My answer was always the same: the four distinct seasons. Yes, technically every place has seasons, but in many areas they tend to blur together. Here in the Midwest, each one makes its presence known in a way that feels unmistakable.

I truly appreciate all four seasons for different reasons, but spring has always been an interesting one. It may not be the prettiest at first glance, especially here in Iowa. The snow melts away and leaves behind a mix of mud, sand, and everything in between. The landscape can feel a bit beige, a little messy, and not quite photo-ready. As a realtor, this time of year can make exterior listing photos a bit challenging.

That’s why I always suggest planning ahead. If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market in the next year, or even the next few years, take advantage of the seasons when your home truly shines. Capture photos when everything is beginning to bloom, when it’s in full, vibrant color, and even in the fall when the leaves turn. These images help tell the full story of your home year-round, something winter and early spring just can’t always show.

But spring is also a reminder that perspective matters. This season has been especially windy, and every strong gust sends dead branches falling from our birch tree. It could be seen as a nuisance, but I’ve started to look at it differently. It’s nature doing the pruning for me. Sure, I still have to pick up the sticks, but I didn’t have to climb a ladder to trim them myself.

The same goes for the rain. It’s easy to feel frustrated by gray, wet days, but that rain is doing important work. It’s feeding the grass, nourishing the flowers, and slowly bringing everything back to life. It’s even washing away the dirt and debris that winter leaves behind.

Spring may not always be the most beautiful season on the surface, but there’s so much happening beneath it all. Growth, renewal, and preparation for what’s ahead. Sometimes, it just takes a shift in perspective to see it.