Blog Post: When the Storm Passes – A Reflection on Loss, Renewal, and Repurposing in Occupational Therapy

After a recent powerful storm with high winds rolled through our area, we witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath: beautiful, ancient trees some that had stood steadfast for decades, had fallen. A beloved cottonwood tree near Perch Lake, a quiet landmark for our community, was among them. In our camp area, a large branch from one of our trees came down. And our neighbors, especially one in particular, suffered the loss of several magnificent pines.

Our first response was one of sadness and grief. These trees had weathered countless storms, symbolizing strength, endurance, and presence. They had witnessed laughter and tears, games and quiet reflection, and provided children and therapists with shade. They had also housed so many birds and just last week we watched barn owls sitting in the cottonwood.

And then just like in life, we had to move forward.

We moved from grief to action, slowly and carefully chopping the trees into manageable pieces. What was once standing tall and whole now lay in parts across the ground. And yet, something beautiful emerged from that loss: the wood from a neighbor’s fallen pine will be repurposed into firewood, warming our home this winter. What was once rooted and reaching skyward will now become warmth and comfort.

This process offers a profound metaphor for our work as occupational therapy professionals.

🌪️ When the Storm Hits

In our professional lives, we too experience storms: burnout, disillusionment, compassion fatigue, shifting systems, and overwhelming caseloads. There are times when we feel like we've lost a piece of ourselves or like our internal foundation has been shaken. We may no longer recognize the version of ourselves that once stood with such clarity and purpose.

It's easy to focus on the storms or let the storms take over us.

🌲 What If the Fallen Tree Isn’t the End?

But what if those moments of breakdown are also moments of invitation? What if, like the cottonwood or the pine, we too can be repurposed?

To repurpose doesn’t mean we go back to how things were. It means we allow ourselves to become something new. We acknowledge what was, we honor it, and we transform it. As practitioners we must welcome transformation even though that transformation may be ignited by the hard things.

• A part of your career that felt like failure may become the fuel that warms your advocacy work or learning a new skill.

• A season of burnout may carve space for better boundaries, slower pacing, or more aligned work perhaps in nature.

• A seasoned practitioner who no longer works in traditional work transform their skills into mentoring, consulting, or teaching.

🔥 Repurposing as a Path to Renewal

The fallen tree reminds us: nothing is wasted. Even in loss, there is life. Even in burnout, there can be clarity. Even in disillusionment, there can be rediscovery.

So ask yourself:

• What needs to be chopped into more manageable pieces?

• What can be cleared away with intention and reverence?

• What parts of you or your skills, your passions, your purpose are ready to be repurposed?

Just like the tree that once provided shade and shelter can now offer warmth, your work can evolve to meet new seasons. The essence remains. Only the form changes.

🌈 Let the Forest Teach Us

Nature continues to be our greatest teacher. At Rainbow Tree Therapies, we’ve always believed that healing doesn’t happen in straight lines. It happens in rhythms. In seasons. In storms and in the calm that follows.

May we all learn to embrace the fall, trust the clearing, and find purpose in the repurposing.

To all our fellow OTs: If you're feeling the weight of the storm, know that renewal is possible. You're not broken. You're becoming.

See you down the road,

Lisa 🌲

P.S. We are deeply grateful that no one was injured during the recent storms in our area. Our hearts go out to those across the country and around the world who have experienced devastating natural distaster losses, especially the individuals and families impacted by the severe flooding in Texas. We hold you in our thoughts with heartfelt sympathy.

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