Cutting to thrive, felling trees to save the forest

Life, much like a forest, sometimes requires us to cut in order to grow. It’s a harsh truth—but it’s also a necessary one. As a tree lover and the proud caretaker of my own forest, I decided to become a certified lumberjack. This has allowed me to manage my land responsibly and safely. And did I mention how much fun it is?

What is tree felling? "Felling a tree" means cutting down a standing tree in a controlled direction with minimal impact on its surroundings.

Why do I fell trees, and why am I posting about trees and life? The short answer: I fell trees to create a healthy, thriving forest—and because it’s cool😎. The longer answer lies in four truths that resonate far beyond the woods:

 𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆: Dead trees, though sometimes still upright, are ticking time bombs waiting for a strong wind or storm to bring them crashing down. On the ground, they can’t harm anyone or anything. Similarly, we should aim to remove habits, connections, or relationships that no longer serve us, ensuring physical and emotional safety.

𝟮. 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: A fallen tree decomposes, feeding the forest floor and providing nutrients for fresh growth, starting a new cycle of life. In letting go, we often make room for something new to emerge—a fresh start or an unexpected opportunity.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Sometimes, trees must be cut to create paths into the forest. Without these paths, its beauty remains inaccessible. In life, tough decisions often pave the way for deeper experiences, connections, and expansion.

𝟰. 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Removing older trees lets sunlight reach younger, smaller ones, allowing them to thrive. Similarly, we must sometimes sacrifice one area of life to let another flourish, even if the benefits take years to appear.

When I fell a tree, the roar of my chainsaw, the smell of freshly cut wood, and the swirling sawdust remind me of life’s interconnectedness. My question to you is:

🌟 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱?

I encourage you to make use of the clarity that often comes with year-end reflection to identify what needs to be removed or let go of. What do you need to take down so you can nurture new growth or access new experiences? As you read this, I’m sure something came to mind—and I’d suggest that’s probably the tree that needs to come down first. Remember to be intentional and purposeful. When done right, the felled tree will provide you the opportunity to flourish.

💬 I would love to hear your thoughts on personal tree felling for growth.