Spring Renewal - Refresh and Reorganize
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." — Audrey Hepburn. My favorite actress and one of my favorite movies she stared in was "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Holly Golightly's transformation from a country girl into a Manhattan socialite was a total refresh which I will address in another blog. Spring is a great time to refresh your routine and reorganize the order of your life. If you've been waiting for the right time to start a new habit or practice, there's no time like now. Starting a new routine can be easier than you think, and what better way to kick off your spring renewal?
Focus on spring as a time of new beginnings and resolve to do something you've always wanted to do but never felt you had the time. Volunteer, teach reading to those who want to learn, become a mentor, or help clean up your community; there are many ways to give of ourselves. Explore your creativity. Learn a new language, take piano lessons, take a computer class, or go back to school. It's never too late to fulfill a dream.
Take a vacation with your family. Or a Skip Gen getaway with your grandkids. Going camping, hiking, fishing, and visiting a historic site or museum can help family members bond and reconnect from their busy, daily lives. Slow down and simplify your life. As life moves so quickly, surrounding us with the constant stimulation of the information we hold in our hands, our cell phones, we need to find a way to quiet our minds and make quality time for ourselves.
Family connections both near and far are essential to reconnect at this time of year. We know how it can be a struggle to keep as close as you once were. Sending handwritten letters at unexpected times is a great way to stay in touch. Alongside this, sending cards for important dates is always a good idea. It's a lovely gesture, and you'll also feel good doing it.
The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and the house still feels stuck with winter blues. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the often hectic seasons of summer and Fall. It can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be complicated. What are other words for Spring Cleaning? Sprucing up, washing down, clearing out, tossing out. Clean out your closets. Try this trick to help you whittle down your wardrobe to the essentials: Pick one day shortly to turn all of the clothes hangers in your closet in the same direction. After wearing an item, turn the hanger in the opposite direction. If, after six months, any of the hangers are still in their initial position, donate or consign the clothing items.
Cleaning out your closets
Un-clutter your home by getting rid of outdated paperwork, unnecessary collectibles, and other items that tend to collect on surfaces, paying particular attention to your kitchen counters, desk, and nightstands. Do this one room at a time so that you won't feel overwhelmed by the process, and don't forget to add in some cheerful houseplants.
Plant a tree with your child or grandchild and watch it grow together. Planting a tree with a child and you're likely to create a fond memory that will grow into a deep connection with the tree as both child and tree mature. Planting a tree is a gift to yourself and your family and those in decades to come who may enjoy its springtime flowers, summer shade, and colorful fall leaves. Or plant a garden and believe in tomorrow.
