How to Spark New Beginnings During Spring

April 5, 2023

There’s something special about the spring season - and it’s not just the snow melting, the flowers blooming, or the anticipation of a warm vacation. 

When springtime kicks off, I always feel a bit different. There’s an energy shift inside my soul. My motivation begins to build.

Spring is considered by many as a time of new beginnings - one where we can get curious about taking our work and lives to the next level. And this isn’t just a coincidence.

“During spring we are awakened to the idea of new opportunities on the horizon,” explains Ashley McFarland, an astrologer and marketer based out of Seattle. “As the light of the sun starts to shine bigger and brighter, we are more determined and motivated to forge new paths, take risks, and live unapologetically.”

Different than spring, winter may feel a bit different for most people. Winter is an optimal time for rest and introspection, or as Katherine May writes in Wintering: “putting your house in order.” There’s a reason why animals hibernate during the winter, and us humans have much more to learn from them.

But when we transition to spring, we shift gears a bit and are more primed for action. “If you’ve been struggling over the past couple of months or haven’t been able to connect to your 2023 goals and intentions, consider this to be your second (and much more powerful) chance,” says McFarland.

So - what might it look like to invest in yourself during the spring season? Here are some ideas to spark new beginnings.

1 - Give your house a good old spring cleaning

If you’re like me, you may have recently hit a limit with things around your home. Clothes that you don’t wear anymore. Gadgets that don’t even fit in your junk drawer. That decorative bucket you say you’ll use at a housewarming party someday (note: this is a real life example).

Carve out 10 minutes to do a walk through of your home this week, and jot down a list of priority areas that you’d like to declutter or streamline. Then put a few blocks on your calendar to work on those areas one by one.

The process of decluttering can feel overwhelming. So remember to start small and ask for help along the way.

2 - Revisit your goals for the year

Spring a great time to look back at Q1, reflect on the intentions you set at the beginning of the year, celebrate any wins, and recenter on your priorities.

If you didn’t set goals in January but are now have a desire to do so, now is a great time to get clear on what you’re hoping for.

Ask yourself what your mind, body, and heart are needing right now. Give yourself permission to have fun and change your mind.

3 - Take up a new form of movement

Does your exercise routine feel a bit blah these days? Believe it or not, sometimes even healthy routines can use a sprucing.

Trying out a new type of movement can give us energy and is great for our bodies - it keeps our minds and muscles guessing. Changing things up can also prevent burnout and increase our chances of following through.

Recently, my move outside of Denver welcomed an opportunity to explore new fitness options. After some research and trying out a few spots, I landed on a fantastic barre studio and found a wonderful personal trainer. The change of scene has been a game changer for me.

4 - Try out a new hobby

For the first time in my adult life, I have a real yard with and an opportunity to garden at my own home. And one of my goals for this spring is to try gardening.

Let’s be clear - I know absolutely nothing about gardening. I would classify myself as an ultimate novice who is ready to fail and succeed many times. But I am ready for the challenge.

Consider getting your hands dirty a bit this spring. Try out a new hobby or pastime that challenges you. Learn cribbage. Volunteer at a food bank. Cook a cuisine you haven’t cooked before. Do a craft project or make a vision board for the spring season.

5 - Ask yourself this key question

So often we overanalyze our life decisions and outsource them to other people instead of trusting our gut and listening to our body.

This spring, consider asking yourself the following: Does this bring me JOY?

It may seem like a simple question, but it’s a powerful one. When you ask it, listen to your body. If it’s not a full body YES, then it may not be a priority for you right now.

Also, remember that you can feel a yes about something while still feeling a lot of nerves. Sometimes the nerves are a good sign that something will take us to our next level.

6 - Commit to three courageous actions before summer

The other day I came across a quote: “Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will” (originally attributed to Suzy Kassem).

This hit home for me. There are a few things I’m exploring right now for my work and my life that scare me - and so of course, I’m doing what any adult does in this situation - avoid them.

But we know that no one ever achieved greatness by playing small. We have to be brave if we want to get what we want in our lives. Period.

This week set aside five minutes to journal. Brainstorm a list of courageous actions that you have been exploring or avoiding. Then circle three that your gut tells you will move the needle the most in your life this spring.

Please note that these three things do not need to be “big” by conventional standards. All that matters is that they require you to be brave, and push you to your next level in some way.

Here’s a few examples of being brave:

If you want to become a published author someday, consider writing for 10 minutes.

If you want to open your own business someday, go and reserve a domain.

If you want to meet someone special, write an email to a group of trusted friends, asking them to keep an eye out for you.

Remember that once you take one courageous action, you feed your brain in a good way and are more likely to do the same in the future.

7 - Don’t forget to breathe

While you’re living more boldly, spending more time outside, and maybe even taking up a new hobby, don’t forget that rest is essential for your sustained energy and success.

Rest, relaxation, and play are things that we need in order to live our best lives and achieve our dreams. And we cannot serve others from an empty cup. 

But most adults are bad at taking breaks - really bad. That’s because our culture celebrates the hustle, and we don’t even know how to rest.

Dr. Mark Hyman writes: “You have to learn to actively relax. It’s something we’re not taught. We know we have to sleep and eat and exercise, but most of us don't understand that we have to actively relax. And it’s not just sitting on a couch and watching TV. It’s actually helping your body get into what we call a parasympathetic state” (Source).

Not sure where to start? Here are 10 ideas to move your body in that direction.

. . .

John Muir once wrote: “Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” (Source).

What work could take the form of joyful enthusiasm in your life right now? How could you fall more in love with the process, instead of the goal?