How To Find Peace And Balance In Spring

How do I find peace and balance in Spring?

I look out the window several times a day, and it’s the same each time: dark, gloomy, and not a person in sight. Some days, sunlight filters through the window, and I’m duped into thinking Winter’s end is near. But it isn’t time yet. Nature can’t be hurried. I’ve learned to be patient as I await Spring’s arrival, as Mother Nature has a way of putting on spectacular displays of snowfall now and then, the kind that almost makes you feel bad for wishing Spring was here. I see you, Winter, you are beautiful, but my arthritic bones need some relief!

The change of seasons ushers in a change of pace. As a creature of habit, I am compelled to seek out ways to find peace and balance in Spring as I navigate these changes. Soon, Winter will be a mere memory as the world around us comes to life once more. People will be out and about, and the beautiful colors, sounds, and fresh scents of nature will all coalesce to awaken our senses and warm our souls. It is a sight to behold and a striking reminder that beauty surrounds us every single day; we simply need to stop and take notice.

As you may know, I am an introvert. I work hard each day to achieve balance and peace in every aspect of my life. My mind works overtime to find ways to deal with different situations I may encounter. In an attempt to ease the transition into Spring, I’ve been thinking a lot about all the changes that come with the new season and how I can find peace and balance in Spring.

To be honest, the thing I dread the most is a chance encounter with a neighbor or friend because as the weather warms up, people will be out in droves. Don’t get me wrong, I like chatting, but something about unplanned, chance encounters gets me all wrapped up in knots. To better understand me and my fellow introverts, please visit my previous blog post: 7 Unusual Things Introverts Do All The Time.

Spring: a season of renewal

I love walking my three dogs in our backyard, which lies next to a nature reserve laden with different types of trees. The moment I catch a glimpse of little buds on the trees, I get excited because it is a sure sign that Spring is upon us. Soon, a magnificent transformation will take place all around us, and we will be reminded that some of nature’s greatest wonders happen right in front of our eyes as we go about our simple, everyday lives.

“Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.” -Toni Sorenson. For many, Spring represents a time of renewal, rebirth, transformations, and new beginnings. It is an opportunity to reinvent ourselves, form better habits, and focus on growth. We are gifted a new canvas on which we can paint ourselves in new colors and shapes to present a better version of ourselves to the world. It is simply our chance at a do-over.

Related: Find more Spring Quotes here.

The flowers will eventually bloom, dormant plants will begin to grow again, and hibernating animals will grace us with their presence once more. The sounds of the birds singing their tunes will float through open windows, and we will see the sun much more.

As temperatures warm up, people will be spending more time outdoors, and life will inadvertently become more busy. Many people thrive on the hustle and bustle. I do, too, but I have my limits, and it is imperative that I know when I’ve reached them. It’s important to know that slowing down is okay, even when things around us keep moving. How to slow down is entirely up to you, but I have a few suggestions that I would like to share. So, let’s dive into how to find peace and balance in Spring!

Find Peace And Balance In Spring by working on yourself

Live one day at a time

Some people have a hard time dealing with change. I often do. Even though our life circumstances may remain the same as we transition into Spring, everything around us changes. Life becomes busier, activity levels rise, and the world is louder. Some people thrive on this and use it to their advantage because they feel invigorated and motivated. Others get overwhelmed. I think I feel a bit of both.

On the whole, I swear by my planner, and I use it religiously. The things I have planned each day are just enough to save me from losing my mind. Sure, I am well aware of things going on days in advance, but I don’t focus on them. I focus on the activities of the day and give them my best effort. Additionally, I always leave room for downtime. I treat it like a reward because it is!

Limiting the number of things to do in a day can be challenging for those of you with younger children. The to-do list adds up quickly with school pickup and drop-off, after-school activities (even more in Spring), and cooking meals. I get it. I’ve been there.

My best advice to you is to do your best and delegate responsibilities when you can. It is a busy season in life, but it’s a beautiful time, even though it may not feel that way right now. Now that I’m an empty nester, I always look back and wish I had enjoyed that part of my life more. As an introvert, I was often way out of my comfort zone, which made things even more difficult. But when all is said and done, I know I did my best, and my kids appreciate me for it.

So, live your life in bite-size portions as you embrace the changes that Spring brings. Peace and balance will be your reward.

Work on self-improvement

Whether we like to admit it or not, we each have things about ourselves that we can fix or improve on. Here are a few things I need to work on:

• Self-confidence
• Procrastination
• Time management
• Finding my strengths
• Fear of leaving my comfort zone
• Fear of failure
• Patience

This is quite the list! And jotting it down certainly makes it real. Some of these are really heavy and define who I am as an individual and an introvert. I feel vulnerable, sure…, but I’m proud of myself for recognizing what I need to focus on. I’ve got my work cut out for me, that’s for sure! But I am willing to put in the work. After all, Spring symbolizes just that: renewal, transformations, and new beginnings. It may take me the entire Spring season, several months, or even years to work on these, but getting started is what’s important.

Can you identify the things you need to work on? Figuring it out is such a liberating exercise! I urge you to build a list of your own. You won’t regret it, and neither will the people around you. People will appreciate a better you, and you will no doubt inspire those around you.

Peace and balance through Spring cleaning

Housecleaning

My daughter always says that I seem to love cleaning. I really don’t, but as a mom, it comes with the territory. It has to be done, or else things will spiral into chaos quickly. Now that the kids are at college and out of the house, the laundry, cooking, and housecleaning load has lessened. For this, I’m grateful. As a result, I have been able to focus more of my energy on decluttering and organizing, tasks that I will be ramping up even more in Spring.

Pick a room and dedicate time each day to decluttering, organizing, and tidying it. Some rooms will require more attention than others. Prioritize the rooms that are used the most and work your way down to those used less.

Digital Detox

While you’re at it, perform a digital detox. Limit screen time, clean up your social media friends list, and take more frequent breaks from technology. The latter allows you to step back fully into the world around you and take in all things Spring.

Emotional detox

An emotional detox is in order too! Eliminate the negativity in your life. Say goodbye to people who have nothing positive to contribute. You don’t need them! Set clear boundaries with family and friends. In the long run, as an introvert, boundaries are incredibly important to me. I maintain my sanity by making full use of them. Surround yourself with people who care about you and make you feel good about yourself and about life as a whole.

Decluttering all aspects of our lives improves mental clarity. Mental clarity allows us to make good decisions and think things through carefully before taking action.

Nurture your emotional well-being

Focus on the present, not the past

Many of us let our past dictate our future. The season of change inspires us to let old burdens go so we can focus on things in our present. As we embrace the changes that come in Spring, we should be open to new opportunities and experiences and try to live in the moment. For the most part, the decisions we make right now will impact what the future brings. As a result, focusing on the present can diminish any worries about the future. Focus on the things in your life that you can control and let them work in your favor.

Practice gratitude daily

There are some days I find it hard to find one thing I’m grateful for. In those times, I am letting my mood and emotional state cloud my thoughts. On the whole, to be truly grateful, we must sift through negative emotions and thoughts and try to see the good in every situation. Believe me when I say there is something to be grateful for every day. Even if it’s the tiniest thing, it exists, and acknowledging it is so important.

So, each day of Spring, jot down three things for which you are grateful. Certainly, writing it down makes it real to me, and I can look back anytime to remind myself of things that I should be grateful for.,

Today I was grateful for:

• waking up to see a brand new day
• the smile I saw on my daughter’s face (she struggles with depression)
• my three dogs running around the house, happy and healthy

What are you grateful for today?

Speak daily affirmations

Affirmations are positive words, phrases, or statements that people recite to combat negative thoughts and feelings. They are, in a sense, speaking positivity and good into existence. Affirmations can be simple or elaborate. Some people use affirmations created by others, but I like creating my own because I tailor them specifically to be relevant to my life. Either way is fine!

Reciting affirmations might seem silly at first, but once you get over yourself, you will see how much of an impact they can really have on your outlook on life.

Create a healthy work-home balance

It’s easier said than done, right? Some of us have very demanding jobs, which often cut into our time with our loved ones. Providing for our families is exceedingly important, but giving them of our time is equally important. Simple steps can go a long way to make a work-home balance a reality. The key is essentially to keep work separate from your home life. Set clear work-related boundaries to ensure that your work knows where you stand. If you work from home, use a designated space in your home for work, and once you leave that space (except for regular breaks), it signifies that you are done working.

Immerse yourself in nature

Spring is the perfect time to immerse yourself in nature. As the world comes alive, take the opportunity to observe all that is happening around you. Learn new things, see new things, and come up with creative ways to showcase your knowledge and experiences.

• take a long walk outside
• have a picnic in a field of flowers
• try forest bathing
• birdwatch
• practice outdoor yoga or meditation
• start a nature journal as you sit amongst the trees
• go camping
• go canoeing or kayaking
• take a bike ride along a scenic trail
• visit a botanical garden and see the Spring blooms
• sketch or paint the beauty of nature
• take photos of the changes in nature, and create a photo book
• start a garden
• beautify your home with plants and flowers
• record nature sounds and play these sounds as you sleep at night

Create or refresh sunrise or sunset rituals

The warmer temperatures in Spring allow us to greet the sunrise differently. The last thing I would do in the Winter is open up a window in the early morning. Brrrrr……no thank you! In Spring, we can open up the windows without freezing to death, and we can even venture outside to witness the spectacular sunrise. Bask in the morning light and let it energize you as the aroma of your freshly brewed coffee wafts past your nostrils and its taste ignites your soul. And for you non-coffee drinkers out there, well….I’ve got nothing! I’m kidding, of course! Pick your drink of choice, and enjoy it while watching the sun come up.

Your routine could also include other things that invigorate you. Meditation, yoga, listening to the birds singing, praying, quietly reading a book, or listening to music are all lovely options. In the end, it’s your routine; you can do whatever you want!

Because I know that not everybody is a morning person, I’ve included creating a sunset routine here. The only difference is that you would be winding down from the day rather than revving up in the morning to face the day ahead.

CONCLUSION

By and large, small steps can go a long way toward achieving peace and balance in your life. Spring offers a fresh perspective and a new beginning to make this possible. We should follow nature’s cues of adaptation, reawakening, and newness to become better, easier-going, effective, and beautiful versions of ourselves.

The wait is almost over, my friends! Soon, Spring will be here in all its glory. Bask in its beauty, breathe in its freshness, and glow up! I wish you all the best as you strive to find peace and balance in Spring.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Much peace and love (and balance) to you!!