“Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s party!” – Robin Williams
I woke up earlier this week on the Spring Equinox thinking a very similar thing.
As the bulbs and buds start to blossom here in these ancient North Carolina mountains, I am reminded why spring is my second favorite season (must admit, I’m a fall girl first and foremost…love the colorful leaves and the crisp air and apple everything!).
But Spring is filled with joy, hope, and optimism.
It’s filled with color, growth, and expansion.
And now that we’ve (ideally) had time to rest and hibernate in winter, it invites us to consider with renewed energy “What’s possible?”
I’ve been having rich conversations with clients, colleagues, and friends lately about the major life changes (some good, some hard) many of us are facing…
- Business expansion and growth (exciting!)
- Loss of a job (ugh!)
- Exploring new love (yay!)
- Navigating divorce (challenging)
- Regaining health (relieving)
- Supporting children and/or aging parents (sandwich generation anyone?)
And the key component to navigating these successfully?
Engaging in meaningful rituals.
- Rituals ground us and invite us to be fully present in the moment.
- Rituals give us permission to feel deeply.
- Rituals help us to ease transitions.
- Rituals help us to feel steady when life is uncertain.
- Rituals remind us to pause, to rest and to breathe.
These can be simple, daily activities that ground us like morning prayer, meditation or journaling. You can sit on your back deck and enjoy a cup of coffee or sink onto your yoga mat and move your body with some delicious stretches to start your day.
Or they can be grander, one-time rituals that help us navigate change. A friend recently finished cancer treatment and was relieved to “ring the bell,” a powerful ritual in most cancer centers to acknowledge the end of an important stage of treatment. Another colleague recently expanded his business and hosted a huge open house for clients, family, and friends in celebration!
Spring rituals can help us to set intentions and clarify our desires for the season ahead. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Plant a garden.
- Build an altar (inside or outside) dedicated to Spring.
- Hire a coach to help you be accountable to yourself!
- Clean off your desk.
- Declutter your closet and donate old clothes.
- Begin a new exercise routine outdoors.
- Celebrate holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day with meaningful gifts.
- Try new recipes using foods from your local farmer’s market.
- Throw a Spring potluck party and invite your friends.
- Set intentions for new beginnings and fresh starts.
What Springtime Rituals resonate for you? Leave a comment and let me know or send me pictures so I can celebrate with you! I always love hearing from you.
Happy Spring!
Elizabeth
P.S. Also get your CREATIVE on in Spring! Be sure to follow along with my creative explorations with #MarchMeetTheMaker2023 on Instagram!