Well, Hello Spring. It’s Been Awhile!

I noticed tiny green shoots testing the air in our front garden this week. When I head outside in the mornings with my dogs, the silence of winter has dissipated. In its place, birds flirt, strut, chortle and call. There is a hum and an energy in the air that I have’t felt in awhile, and I’m soaking it in.

We are hardwired to welcome spring as a time of renewal for our bodies, our spirits and our homes. We have faith that the sun will soon warm our faces once the stinging wind has finally grown bored with our complaints.

Winter is tough on me. I don’t thrive in the cold; I huddle. Social engagements that weave their way through the warmer months and dance through the bright holidays, grow sparse by the time February hijacks the calendar. My energy slackens. I have to work a little harder to cross the must-dos off my list. I’m not as good about getting out and about.

With spring nuzzling its way in, that’s all about to change. Here are a few ways we can all make the most of spring’s revitalizing energy:

Spring clean. Bag up the clutter and clear out the trash…or is it the other way around? Commit to one drawer a day or one closet a weekend. Change the air filters and clean the windows. Notice an immediate jump in your energy. For more on simple spring cleaning tips, check out my article on ParentingSquad.com

What is one area of your home that causes your energy to drop?

Re-prioritize. If your family is like mine, you are never not busy. If you are feeling drained, set aside some space in your calendar for creative pursuits, last-minute family outings or for nothing but goofing off.

For more ways to spruce up your social life, check out my article Making Mom Friends: 24 Ways to Spruce Up Your Social Life in the April issue of KC Parent.

What would you like to prioritize?

Detox. I shut the door on sweets and desserts until Easter. This is a huge challenge of my willpower because chocolate, in particular, is my fr-enemy. I renewed my CSA membership for the summer to ensure we have plenty of farm fresh veggies coming our way. Another way to ensure my family is eating well is to make meals ahead of time. For  a how-to on planning a freezer meal party, head to my post on ParentingSquad.com.

What is something you can do to help your body detox from the winter? 

Reconnect. Plan an evening that both expands your creative horizons and reconnects you with your friends. Make jewelry together, take a cooking class or host a garden party. Or scrap it and head to a great restaurant and a movie. How about Moms Night Out, which hits theaters on May 9? Here is the trailer.

Want more ways to connect? Join my Facebook group, Confidently Connected Moms. The group is “closed” to protect the privacy of the members, but we aren’t exclusive. Send me a request and as long as I can tell that you are a real person, I’ll add you in!

Photo Illustration courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Michal Marcol