Spring: how to embrace the new season
New beginnings
We often put all our energy into creating a fresher, cleaner version of ourselves in January. And from a logical 'first day of a new year' perspective, it does make sense. But I think there's something to be said for cocooning yourself up until March. For this is when the evenings lighten, the sun slowly starts to warm our bodies and souls, and new blooms shyly start peeping through the thawing soil. This is when I truly feel my mind reawaken, bursting with ideas and optimism for the rest of the year. This year, I'm putting a lot of effort into making spring the season when 'everything changes'. For over three years I've been quietly, studiously working away evenings and weekends on blog and feature writing; taking a wide variety of evening and online courses to improve my skills and bending the ears of anyone I come into contact with about wanting to work for myself. It's been like the longest, safest hibernation ever! So this Spring I'm vowing to finally polish my online presence, focus in on my service offering and start a small online business (watch this space!). In the meantime, here are three things you could embrace this spring season: 
Spring cleaning
I'm not really talking 'cleaning all the things here' (I'm more a tidy/putting things in piles kind of woman), more a good old declutter of your home. Be honest with yourself - how much of the stuff surrounding you do you actually use regularly (or even semi-regularly)? One simple place to start is with books - any once-read, never picked up again? Or books about a certain topic you're no longer as passionate about? I have a lot of fashion design books from a decade ago when I wrongly thought I'd be a designer...I can't even draw for heavens sake! They're untouched, would be appreciated by a new fashion student, and once they're safely in a charity shop, I'll have more space to think about my latest passions. If decluttering would make your home and mind feel more open, check out this post to help you.
Learn something new (or refresh a dormant skill)
Spring is the perfect season to take up a new hobby & get those lazy Netflix-addicted neurons firing again. My suggestion would be anything where you’re using your hands and away from a screen. Crochet? Watercolour painting? Calligraphy? Brush lettering? Pottery? Flower arranging? Go alone, invite your friends, invite your Mum (Mothering Sunday next week!). It really, truly doesn’t matter whether you’re any good or not. At worst, you’ll end up with a story about that time you spectacularly spilt water all over your artwork; at best - a new hobby and likely, new friends.
Get outside
Find a park/garden/heath/field/balcony/allotment/anywhere with an ounce of green; look up at the sky, notice the buds flowering, listen for the birdsong and breathe some fresh air. Find time at the weekends, on your daily commute, or on your lunch break (I’ve started running my errands at lunch so I’m forced to step outside away from the staffroom). Document it with your camera if you wish, but switch your data off and upload that photo once you get home. Take a minute to forget social media exists! You’ll survive - promise 😉All images linked to original Pinterest posts, except final one which is mine.
What do you like to do welcome in the Spring? Do you also have big, exciting, scary projects to hatch? Tell me below!
