Take Note of The Simple Joys During the Winter to Spring Shift
I am writing this at the start of spring, not the official start on the calendar, but that subtle shift to spring that comes in the air. It’s when temperatures are still cool, but the sun starts to wake us up earlier and stay out just a little later each day.
It is the time of year when, mentally, we are often a few steps ahead of the season. We are yearning for more sun and more warmth. Whether you are reading this during the spring thaw, or any other seasonal shift, the urge to leap into the “next” can outweigh our ability to simply “be here”.
Let’s pause to see the joy in this junction. Here are 5 ways to cherish the remaining winter days while letting the excitement for spring join in.
1. Navigate the Outdoors in New Ways
As the warmer weather creeps in, find fresh ways to explore. If you have been hibernating, it’s time to peek outside; if you have been active all winter, try a new pace.
- Grill dinner: Even if it is too chilly to eat outside, that smell of the grill signals a change in the air. For you and your neighbors.
- Add an evening walk: Make it a part of your daily rhythm to catch the lingering light.
- Embrace the Mud: This is a touch one for me, but it isn’t going anywhere! The trails may be messy. but take them on with the kids. If that feels like too much, stick to the paved path or sidewalk.
- Greet the sun: When the sun makes its appearance, pause, turn your face upward adn simply soak in the sunlight. .
2. Shift Your Space
Start prepping your spaces for the coming change, without rushing the process.
- Take down any remaining winter decor (inside and out)
- Prep the garden beds or simply spend an afternoon dreaming over planting plans for the year
- Swap out a few heavy textiles for lighter colors, to let the “uplift” of spring surround you.
3. Indulge in the treats of the season
- Savor the last of your cold-weather favorites: One more cocoa, or a final hearty chili night.
- Introduce spring favorites: You are already bringing out the grill, look for seasonal salads and fresh fruit. Add new colors to your plate.
4. Get “One More” In
Before the schedule fills up with the frantic energy of warm-weather activities, intentionally squeeze the last bit of magic out of winter.
- Go for one more ski night, sled trip, chilly morning walk.
- Enjoy one more slow “hang” around the house with no schedule, just puzzles, games and a wintery candle.
- Finish that one last cozy read by the fire or curled up in your reading nook.
5. Look Ahead with Intention
While we want to stay present, looking ahead helps us prepare for the practical realities of the next chapter.
- Check the Calendar: What is coming up this spring? It can bring light to plans that may need action, or just build excitement for what it coming up.
- Plan for the Rain: We know spring brings mud adn showers. Is there are museum or day trip you want to catch now before you want to spend every waking hour outside?
Take Action
It’s one thing to want to slow down and enjoy the shift, and it’s another to actually do it when the spring rush starts pulling at you. To help me pause, I created this 5-Minute Transition Checklist.
It isn’t a list of big chores or major projects. Instead, it’s a collection of small, mindful moments to help you cherish where you are right now, at this very specific junction. You can grab the graphic here to save or Pin for later!
Cherish This chapter
It is easy to feel ready to jump, to get the winter out of here, but what if you paused to say goodbye with a grateful heart? We can be grateful for the rest, for the warmth of our homes, and for the time to slow down and refill before the coming shift. Take a moment to look back through the pages of the season, the events, activities, memories that filled your winter. (scrolling your photos is a great way to do this.)
Every year, I find myself falling deeper into the rhythm of the seasons. They provide the space and time our emotional and mental health needs. It is hard to “be here” and not move too fast, especially as time seems to accelerate every year. I aim not to push it any faster.
I hope something here resonated with you. Take a moment to lean into one or two of these ideas. It may be a small action, like scrolling through your winter photos or pulling the grill out of storage. Looking for a little direction? Scroll down for my 5-Minute Transition Checklist to give you a starting place.
I am starting with “one more” ski night and “slow hang” Saturday, in what way will you find joy in this transition?
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