Looking to refresh after an extra hard winter? Read some of the following tips to rebrand and find peace in the upcoming season. Start soaking up the sunlight and smelling the flowers.
Review + Rebrand
At the end of many snowy New England winters, the month of March seems to drag on for just a bit too long. Although April offers the promise of warmer days, it’s usually unfulfilled by rain and strong winds. The Easter egg hunt is planned to be outdoors, only to end early and find all the muddy boots on the entryway of the kitchen floor. Spring is a season of limbo, a chance to do things differently, an in-between moment to pause and realize what needs to be done moving forward. January is said to be the start of the new year, but a different season is what really offers the fresh start we’re all looking forward to. It’s time to revisit the New Years resolution that you may have either gave up on or had a slow start to. Don’t beat yourself up for it; the winter is for rekindling with family, spending time in bed, and coziness in the home. Now is the time to see what your ambitious self wrote down and start taking action, guilt-free. No more holiday candy holding you back on the couch or the sun going down at 3 p.m. and ending your day.
Is it time to even add a goal that you kept putting off? Make a list, or add to your old one, and create expectations to meet going forward into the sunny months.
A new season also means new clothes in stock, a change in aesthetics, and sun-kissed hair being everyone’s ultimate goal. It’s time to do a personal rebrand. Find a look that feels like you and makes you feel just a little bit new again. All those socks with holes? Buy the new pack and feel fresh again. The old pair of jeans? Give them to a friend who’s secretly been eyeing your effortlessly vintage look and treat yourself to the pair you’ve been wanting. Experiment with new makeup using pastels or a different shade than you’re used to. Maybe don’t wear makeup at all now that the “winter uglies” are over! The point is, you need a change to feel like you can move forward. Whether it’s getting your nails done, or finally trimming those dead ends, either way, find something that suits your seasonal rebrand. New goals, new you, new weather.
Decluttering mind + space
Decluttering your space can be done through many methods: the 30-day minimalism game (removing one item on day one, two on day two, etc.), the viral “Marie Kondo” method, or doing a clothing swap with friends. Whether it’s your room, bathroom, or whole apartment, pick an area and category to focus on, and start letting go of what doesn’t serve you. The task may seem overwhelming at first but so rewarding for your mental health afterwards. Donating items is also always ideal, as all that generosity will eventually return to you when needed. Decluttering can also occur digitally: delete the photos of that one ex, go through all the spam messages, update your socials, and don’t forget to get rid of the random junk in the notes app. Focus on what around you adds value to your life, and if it doesn’t, then it’s time to say goodbye to it this spring.
Additionally, practicing a form of appreciation and gratitude for the items you already own and have kept helps to stay motivated. Those familiar little trinkets you’ve always had in your room? Take a moment to think about how much you love them, and how much beauty there is in appreciating the things you worked so hard to buy. From now on, spring is all about the small joys you carry around you. It’s about being intentional while the rest of the world speeds up. Think twice before adding to the Amazon cart: Do I really need this item? Is there a way I could make do with what I already have? Could I go to a store and grab this? There’s no need to accumulate more since you’ve already decluttered; let your brain and body enjoy this fresh space.
Recreational + Travel
The last thing that the season of spring calls for is your hobbies. Although you might not be first in line to start your analog basket, this might be a good time to pick up the activities you missed over the past few months and step away from the endless scrolling. Picnics outdoors, evening walks and runs, long drives with the windows down, and going for a quick swim are all back in. While you’re at it, think of an activity or two you’ve been wanting to add to your list. Perhaps reading by the pool or finally planning that vacation up to Maine. Now is the time to enjoy the much-needed sunlight and fresh air. Allow your fresh spring self to enjoy a new hobby and a chance at personal growth.
A new season always means the chance to travel again. With warmer weather, it might be the perfect way to plan a beach trip with friends, a road trip with your significant other, or even a family getaway. That on campus job you’ve had all semester? Maybe now is finally the time to treat yourself, the world is your oyster! You have spring break, Memorial Day weekend, and school ends the first week of May. A new season doesn’t just offer the chance of re-centering what matters; it also means exploring and getting creative. Find a spot that speaks to you and let your body detox from the hometown or college bars; it’s time to seize the day with the opportunity of an adventure.
Enjoy this upcoming spring season and warm days ahead of us. Although this winter tested us with three long snowstorms, the reward is finally here.