Three Ways to Embrace Spring
Not feeling the vibe this year? I get it. Here’s what’s helping me.
I know it’s not just me.
I look out the window, where we finally have buds on the trees and daffodils down the hill, and watch the light change as the sun sets later and later.
But this year, it’s hard to get into the vibe. I get it.
And that is completely understandable, given what’s going on.
And getting in the vibe is not a requirement.
That said, being part of the Earth’s natural cycles of rebirth and regeneration is deeply embedded in us.
And, more broadly, finding ways to care for ourselves and each other is a sort of baseline for the bigger work of resistance and political engagement.
Starting with a fundamental, like catching a seasonal vibe, is a good first step, a good reset, and a good reminder of the seasons and cycles we all participate in, whether we honor them intentionally or not.
So I’m offering a quick reflection on three ways to connect with the vibe of this season.
Each starts with a way to reconnect yourself, and then extends into something a little more community-oriented.
Take what words for you, leave what doesn’t.
It’s not an assignment! But it is a starting point.
I hope this inspires a bit of vibe and connection for you, or points you on a path that fits better than what I have here.
Three Ways to Embrace Spring
When you head outside, take a moment to just be.
That is, before you put your headphones in for the walk or jog, take a moment to extend your senses. Feel the light on your face, the breeze against your skin, see the colors emerging, listen to the birds, etc. I went for a run yesterday. It was damp and cool outside; I could feel it on my skin. Jogging over a small walking bridge, I had the idea that I could taste the dampness and a strange saltiness, earthiness, of the marsh below me.
To extend this outward, if you have a local farmer’s market or place where folks gather outside, take a moment to experience this same “being” in that space. I like to notice all the people on the walking path and think about how, even though there is so much we don’t know about each other, here we all are, enjoying the outdoors, having this in common. If you practice gratitude, let it unfold out to the folks you see, offer a smile or a kind word if it feels right. See if that generates a feeling of warmth in you, and if so, see if you can let it reflect outward, even just for a moment.
Eat seasonally, or try a spring-inspired or “spring vibe” recipe.
I love to cook and find different recipes that inspire a seasonal vibe in me. A few weeks ago, I made this, using vegan pesto I’d made with basil from the garden late last summer. Something about the freshness of pesto and then the gentle crunch of the fennel made me feel “spring-like.” Mine came out a lot more green in color, too, so the whole bowl just felt full of spring light.
To extend this outward, share your dish if you have folks nearby, or cook with someone. You can do this even across great distances, by hopping on a call and cooking “together.” Try to source ingredients locally and sustainably, chat with folks at a local market, or exchange tips. If you want to do more, donate to a local food bank or take some time to educate yourself on local food systems and, if you have a friend who’s keen to learn, share your knowledge or explore together.
Start a new (creative) project.
Spring is a season of creating, generating, and regenerating. It’s a great time to get your creative juices flowing or experiment. I have so many different creative projects that, for a variety of reasons, had to be set aside over the winter, but I’m coming back to them now. It’s also time to start thinking of my garden, which isn’t necessarily an “artistic” project, but I think it counts!
To extend this outward, find out if there are creative groups or classes in your community or online that you can join. There are so many wonderful opportunities for skill-sharing available online, and you may be able to source materials through a neighborhood Buy Nothing group or in thrift stores. If you have friends doing creative projects, think about checking in, sharing your work, or even “co-working” your creative activities on Zoom or FaceTime. You could also get involved in a community garden project, or, if you have a skill you could teach others, lead a workshop or start a class.
The benefit of all three is that they shift your focus from energy-depleting activities, like doomscrolling, to generative, connective ones.
I like to incorporate bits of all three of these into my life every time an opportunity presents itself, or I make one. And that last point is key! Sometimes, we have to make it happen for us. And that’s also generative.
Every time I do any of these things, I’m plugging into connections that help me stay focused and grounded, so I can show up for myself, my loved ones, and my clients as my best self.
Even in just small doses, for me, it’s always worth it.
Let’s inspire each other with how we’re leaning into spring. I’d love to know how you’re feeling the vibe, or if you’re not, how I can help.
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