3 Ways to Renew Yourself This Spring

Today is Easter, and even if you’re not religious, you can celebrate the day as the (real) beginning of spring. I know spring technically begins in March, but at least in Maine, late April feels much closer to true spring, especially considering we had some snow last weekend.

And I don’t know about you, but I find spring a much better time to make changes in my life than New Year’s. Seeing flowers coming up in the neighborhood, hearing and seeing more bird activity, and having more daylight all make me feel more energized and able to stick with something new.

Plus, with everything going on right now, it’s a good time to find things that help renew and nurture you, things that will bring you calm and – hopefully – joy. With that in mind, here are three ideas for ways to find renewal.

Spend more time outside

Getting outside more and spending time in nature is almost always helpful, and in the spring, it’s easier for many of us to do that than in the winter. It’s warmer, you (usually) don’t have to worry about ice or snow, and you have more opportunity to get outside with longer daylight hours.

One of the benefits of going outside is that it can help take your mind off your troubles, but only if you let it. If you go outside but keep looking at your phone, or let your mind dwell on any worries or difficulties, you won’t get much benefit.

If you tend to do those things, you can give yourself something to do while on a walk, something to look for. For example, these days I like trying to spot wherever crocuses are coming up, and if there are new batches since my last walk.

Looking for the flowers keeps me engaged with being outside and prevents me from getting stuck in my thoughts. You could also look for birds (the robins are coming out in force here), which trees are starting to bud, interesting cloud formations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. If you find something like that to focus on, I suspect you’ll feel better after your time outside.

Clear away clutter

Of course, you might not be able to get outside every day, especially if it’s raining a lot as it has been here. On days when you’re staying indoors, it can be a good time to tackle some piles or boxes that have been hanging around for a while to reduce clutter.

De-cluttering is useful for a few reasons:

• You might find unexpected treasures or mementos from the past that will bring up good memories. Last year, when I was cleaning out old boxes, I found the ticket stub from the first big-name concert I attended (Paul Simon, if you’re curious), and it was fun remembering that.

• You get a sense of satisfaction from tackling something that’s likely been weighing on you. And if, like me, you make to-do lists, it feels great to be able to cross that item off.

• Your space will feel clearer and more open, and you’ll be able to enjoy it more. It may also help clear your mind.

• You may be able to donate or give away some things, and it’s nice to know something that’s been gathering dust at your place will be used and cared for in a new home. I found this out after a friend told me about the Buy Nothing group, and this past winter, I gave away two sleds that I hadn’t used in almost a decade to a mom whose five-year-old was very excited to go sledding.

Find what brings you joy

When bad things are happening in the world, it can feel strange and even wrong to be happy or joyful about anything. And if you’ve experienced loss or a tragedy, that makes it even harder. I remember seeing an interview with David Hogg, one of the survivors of the Parkland shooting, where he talked about how hard it was to feel okay to smile again after that.

But in reality, joy is even more important in turbulent times because it helps keep us going. As Brené Brown says, “The good news is that joy, collected over time, fuels resilience – ensuring we’ll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen.”

For many people, myself included, pets are a great source of joy and comfort. If you don’t have a pet, maybe you can visit a friend with one, put up a bird feeder, or go someplace where you can be around animals. For my area, I can recommend the Meow Lounge and Mr. Drew and His Animals Too.

You might find joy and fun by organizing a time to play board games with friends, or by getting together to watch a silly movie. Maybe reading inspiring books or poetry brings you joy, or using your creativity. Maybe it’s singing along to your favorite music or dancing – or something else entirely.

Whatever it is, find something that keeps you happy and energized, and remember that being joyful in dark times is important.

Use spring as inspiration for renewal

Easter is a holiday about renewal and new life, and so is spring in general. What better time, then, to focus on things that renew you and help you find joy?

I hope you’ll take some time to find what nourishes you, and I’d love to hear about what that is. In the meantime, happy Easter, and happy spring!