Welcome Spring!
If you’ve read the blog before, you know I am a big fan of thinking seasonally, both when it comes to your fitness and nutrition AND with the actual seasons of the year (if you missed them, you can read my first two posts on seasonality here and here). As we spring ahead, the days get longer, and the weather warms up (at least here in Northern Virginia), it is clear that we are moving into a new season, and I wanted to share some thoughts on stepping into a new season intentionally.
Don’t rush!
Far too often when it comes to a new season (or any change!) we tend to bite off more than we can chew. You need to be doing all ten New Year’s resolutions perfectly on January 1, or you need the entire house spic-and-span from spring cleaning by April Fools’ Day. If the prospect of stepping into a new season gives you some anxiety about planning and maximizing the entire spring, take a step back and breathe. You don’t have to do everything all at once - take it one step at a time.
Create a ritual
Rituals have been a part of being human since, well, humans existed - and there’s a reason for that. Rituals can be really helpful in making us feel grounded and bring clarity as we step into a new season.
If that all sounds a little too “woo-woo” for you, I encourage you to interpret ritual loosely. If you want to involve incense, crystals, or moon water in your seasonal celebration, go all in! Maybe you’re even attending a Beltane retreat like I am this year. But if you hear the word “ritual” and think nah, not for me, thanks, keep things simple. Maybe you replace a pine-scented soap or candle with a spring scent. Maybe you clean out one drawer or cabinet as a step toward spring cleaning. Maybe you flip over to a new page in your planner and jot down some goals for the next few months.
A ritual only works if it works for you and for your people, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
Plan a “spring bucket list”
If the term “bucket list” makes you feel too much pressure, step back and refer to #1! But if you are excited about the possibilities that come with the changing of the seasons, it can be helpful to write down what you’re hoping to experience this season to remind you to slow down and make it happen. Some examples from my own list this year:
Go to the Tidal Basin in DC for the cherry blossoms (my boyfriend is in DC for the first-ever spring this year, so I don’t want him to miss it)
Eat ramps! They are usually only available for a few weeks a year, and they’re worth it (if you have ramps near you, don’t miss out on these foraged bulbs and their delicate garlicky/onion-y flavor)
Take walks, now that the weather is getting warmer, and take pictures of flowers!
I’m sure that I will add more ideas as I go - I’m not going to put pressure on myself to have the perfect bucket list right now.
Let me know in the comments - what will YOU to do celebrate spring?
