Charlie Smith-Knight looks at why Easter eggs aren’t the only thing to hunt this time of year. Rediscover your goals and spring forward with self-care and purpose!
Spring has sprung! At least equinoxically, if not weather-wise. So how is your year going for you? Are your New Year’s resolutions flying high or have they crash landed harder than a Chinese spy balloon (allegedly)? Easter is here, bringing the season of rebirth and rejuvenation, so there’s no better moment to give your life a spring spruce! It’s time to take stock during these April showers so that when the sunshine comes, you’re on track for your best year yet.
Reassess the year so far
2023: Ronan Keating is a Grandad, tomatoes are harder to find than the Scarlet Pimpernel and strikes are more prolific than Matt Hancock’s infamous WhatsApp messages… probably.
But how is your year going? Kudos to you if you’re exactly where you planned to be. It’s good to acknowledge your achievements and give yourself a mental pat on the back. For those whose resolutions have vanished in the rear-view mirror, it may be time to reconsider them. If they’ve disappeared faster than a delivery of Prime at the supermarket, maybe they weren’t that important in the first place. This year may have been overwhelming already, so slimming down on your self-imposed obligations might be just what you need. It’s time to think balance. Are you headed where you want to be? It’s never too late to correct your course. Much like Rose floating on her frozen door, sometimes you have to put yourself first and sometimes letting go is in your best interest.
Revise your outgoings
Frankly, thinking about finances is the most boring part of adulting in my opinion. But it’s no secret that many of us are feeling the pinch of the current economical environment, so reviewing your outgoings is the quickest way to save a few pennies. Check those subscriptions. Are you paying for several streaming services you don’t need? An Amazon Prime account you never use? On average, UK households waste £170 a year on unused subscriptions, with a third having multiple memberships for the same services. It might be time to consolidate and exterminate. Think Dalek wedding.
Revamp your wardrobe
It is spring and with the daffodils comes the time to ditch those autumn/winter shades and add some colour to your life. Take some inspiration from the season and brighten up your wardrobe. It doesn’t need to cost the Earth either. I can’t be the only one who forgets about those items lost in the back of the cupboard. Look through your own rails first and bring the things you forgot you even owned to the front. If you’ve got some spare income, Vinted and Ebay are cheap ways to update your wardrobe with some new-to-you pieces at reasonable prices. For pops of colour and statement pieces, why not try everything5pounds.com. Cheer yourself up with a fresh outfit suitable for the changing season, without the need to sell any organs on the black market.
Renovate your meal plan
‘What do you want for dinner?’ can be the most dreaded question of the day. And it’s easy for weekly meals to start resembling the repetitive backdrop of a Scooby-Doo cartoon. So, why not switch it up and delve into some new dishes; pinchofnom.com is full of free recipes, albeit with some scrolling, divisible by key ingredients of your choice. Equally, simplyrecipes.com has suggestions for every meal of the day. And they don’t all involve hipster inspired smashed avocado and red amaranth. Try the recipe you saw on TikTok. Spring is synonymous with new life so why not breathe some into your diet and treat your palate to a surprise?
Reaffirm your positive manifestations
Hear me out. I’m not suggesting you plaster your home with ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ signage, but there is something to be said for maintaining a positive mental attitude. Like attracts like… so put out the vibes you want to receive. I know it’s easier said than done, and I have lived it, but there are ways to increase your positivity. Remove negative influences. If something or someone brings you more negative energy than positive, it’s time to evaluate their place in your life. Consume positive content. Don’t torture yourself on social media following celebrities and influencers who live unrealistic lifestyles. Don’t follow accounts that make you feel the need to compare yourself. Don’t overwatch the news. Stay on top of current events but don’t drown yourself in the current of events. Concentrate on the good things happening in your life and no matter what, try to see the upside. I promise you it works and you’ll be as happy as the proverbial clam with practice.
Spring is here. A new season and a new chance to infuse your life with positive changes. As Tolstoy said; ‘Spring is the time of plans and projects’. Or if that’s a little rich for your blood, The Beach Boys once said ‘Spring vacation, good vibration’.
Either way, let’s not lose our momentum now.