Aries Season: New Beginnings, Fear, and Growth
if aries season is about action, why do we freeze at the first step?
essay written by madison martinez
Moving to NYC Alone (and figuring it out as I go)
Aries season says “go,” but we don’t always follow immediately.
Taking a step towards a new beginning can be terrifying, even when it’s something we know we want.
This is exactly how I felt moving to New York City alone knowing no one and leaving my family behind. Breaking away from my old life was something I knew was necessary, however, it still brought up fear of the unknown. What we need to remember is, it’s completely normal to feel this way.
Our brains naturally crave certainty and predictability can feel safe, even if it’s painful. (McElwaine, 2025). This tension between fear and possibility is exactly what defines Aries season.
It’s a time associated with fresh starts, movement, and choosing to act before you feel 100% ready.
Understanding Neuroplasticity and Change
When I first got to New York City, I had a lot of negative internal dialogue telling me I wasn’t ready despite having waited for this moment for months. I questioned if I made the right choice when I didn't make friends as fast as I thought I would and had to do many things alone. However, I slowly realized that these experiences of discomfort are where the most growth happens.
Research shows that neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and restructure itself based on new experiences, helps us grow and build resilience when we face unfamiliar situations. (Mayo Clinic, 2024). In other words, feeling fearful or uncomfortable about something new doesn't mean we have to retreat. It means we are on the path to transform into someone greater with the power to handle more.
How to Embrace Aries Season Energy
Aries season energy is bold and fiery. It encourages us to embrace discomfort and power through, knowing we can handle it. It reminds us that the first step doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to happen.
Waiting until you feel 100% ready is tempting, but realistically, will we ever feel 100% ready? Avoiding risk might feel safe in the moment but this actually reinforces fear and makes it harder to take action in the future. (Warrell, 2025). This keeps us trapped in patterns and doesn't help us grow.
After moving here, I did a few things that didn't feel safe, like reaching out to new people to hang out and attending events alone. Even simple things, like trying a new cafe by myself felt uncomfortable at first, but each small choice built confidence I didn’t know I had. These experiences reminded me that fear doesn't mean we should back down. It can be a signal to meet it head on, charging forward like a ram.
Aries season embodies this energy. It calls for us to trust our instincts, act with intention, and recognize that courage and transformation is built through experience, not waiting for the perfect moment.
Citations:
- Warrell, Margie. “How the Risks We Take Shape Our Lives (And Why You're Taking Too Few).” Forbes, 2025.
- “Why We Fear Change—and Why It Might Be Exactly What We Need.” Psychology Today, 2025.
- “The Power of Neuroplasticity: How Your Brain Adapts and Grows as You Age.” Mayo Clinic Press, 2024.
Artwork: Primavera by Sandro Botticelli