10 ways to spring forward

TEN WAYS TO SPRING FORWARD

 

Even though we’re fast approaching the first day of Spring, tonight it’s snowing outside my window.  In trying to shake off this snowy haze I’ve been stuck in, I’ve found ten sparks of inspiration for getting yourself to spring forward and embrace the blossoming to come.

1.       Perfume
Everyone needs their signature scent. Whether it is a body spray or an expensive French Eau de toilette – find your scent!  One day you may feel like lemongrass zing, the next a smokey violet. If you’re in need of a pick me up, spritz a bit on your neck and wrists before you leave the house in the morning. You only need a spray or two to feel a little luxurious. It’s like wearing an invisible Harry Winston necklace. Everyone can see the smile on your face but no one knows your secret.


2.       Bright colors
During the winter months it’s easy to let the surrounding colors collect on your clothes. Instead of looking like you’re walking through an L.L. Bean catalog, remember to wear your favorite colors.  If your signature color is black try wearing an unexpected hue that complements your hair, eyes, or skin tone. I like wearing my coral tweed spring coat in these tired winter days. It makes my cheeks look brighter and the glow I get from wearing it is a confidence booster. It pops against the gray skies and white snow.


3.       A drink
A green juice or smoothie is a great morning cheers to your health.  Getting a glass of wine or sipping green tea while reading a book is the best respite after a busy day.


4.       Fresh flowers
The next time you go to the grocery store, try to pick up fresh flowers.  Flowers brighten a room.  Having a bit of nature inside your home will remind you that spring is indeed coming very soon.


5.       Used book store
lost is exactly what you are supposed to do in a used book store. It yields the best results. You walk out with a book – or seven – that you may not have known existed. I got an Italian travel book in February and it allowed me to take a mini vacation to Tuscany without putting a dent in my bank account. And speaking of travels….


6.       Take a trip
A great thing to do is type in a place you’ve always dreamed of going on a travel site.  If you can’t go there this instance, due to time or money, you can still plan for it.  Put a jar in your bedroom and fill it with pocket change. Label it’s outside with your desired destination.  Whether it is a weekend trip or month long one, it’s wonderful to look forward to a new adventure.


7.       Dancing to ________ in your underwear
This is so much fun.  Even more so when you don’t feel like it.  It’s hard to be pissed off about anything when you’re dancing in your underwear. Go Tom Cruise style: socks, sans pants, while wearing sunglasses. Show tunes, punk rock, Led Zeppelin – play whatever moves you. Close your door and start your risky business!


8.       Karaoke
Are you scared of singing in front of crowds? Karaoke is not about being the next contestant of, “The Voice”.  It’s about having fun and celebrating. If you need the liquid courage have a bit, but not too much so that you don’t feel the thrill of singing with reckless abandon as your friends guffaw, dance, or do both at the same time on the sidelines.  The rush you get from not caring what other people think about you is a wonderful buzz. People are attracted to those who take chances and don’t mind occasionally making a fool of themselves.


9.       Yoga, running
As soon as it is warm outside I put on my running shoes and get the blood flowing. If your motivation is “finito” before you have begun, make a new running playlist.  This musical inspiration helps me break the mile barrier.  If you’ve never ran before, but want to try, download an iPhone Running application, like Couch to 5k.  It’s a great way to ease into running while not feeling overwhelmed. Walking the majority of the time and running for five minutes at a time is a great start! If running isn’t your thing, go to a community yoga class.  Usually yoga studios offer a once a week donation class, that is less expensive than the average class.  This way you can ease yourself into yoga and see if the instructors are ones you will like.  Stretching and sweating give your face a better glow than bronzer ever could. You’ll feel reenergized and ready for Spring.


10.   Something sparkly
I don’t own much expensive jewelry, but buying or wearing the occasional sparkly brooch attached to my jacket lapel, hat, or scarf really brightens up an outfit.  If you’re the crafty type, peruse Etsy for inspiration and construct a glitter covered object of desire. Barettes, scarves, even furniture if you are feeling brazen!  Anything you can imagine can be covered in glitter. As for the aftermath that is up to you, but why not spread glitter everywhere in this world! You’ll leave a signal of Spring.

1.      

Jealousy

I have a new individual who has walked into my life (think co-worker, neighbor, roommate). And so far, I cannot stand them.

When i say things about my weekend, or my interests, this person finds a way to give me a back-handed compliment, or demean it.  I do not know why.  This person also loves to gossip.

I think this person may be out of their comfort zone and acting out.  I also have a feeling the reason they are targeting me with statements like that is due to jealousy. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and chalking it up to where they are at right now, but in the mean time, it's got me thinking a lot about jealousy.

I used to think jealousy was a very bad, shameful emotion to feel. It lead to self-doubt, hating another person, comparing yourself to others and being mean to a person you covet something from. As I've gotten older, I've realized you can use jealousy in a very healthy way.  It's a delicate, balance, but jealousy is not always a bad emotion to have.

For one thing, when you feel jealousy rising in yourself, you can step back and take a moment to recognize it, and ask yourself, "why am i feeling this way? what is it that i am jealous about - the person, their situation, their ambition, luck?"

After you ask yourself that you can take the answer and see how it applies to your life. For instance, if a co-worker has just written an article and been published in an esteemed academic journal for their findings, perhaps I'd become jealous. After recognizing the feeling of jealousy, I can ask why - "Is it because I want to be better in my profession? Is it because I admire their ambition, drive? Do I want the "fame" and recognition that can come from writing such a published work?"

Once you identify the reason it rarely has anything to do with person the jealousy was directed at in the first place.  It's the person you dislike, it the lack of ____ they appear to have that you do not.

After identifying exactly what it is - this is the good part of jealousy - you can choose to PROACTIVELY set a goal of how to achieve that coveted thing for yourself.  It is usually the harder path, but well worth it.

If you use jealousy as a red flag and directional guide, it is much healthier and can spur you to be a better person.  If you don't use it that way, you will constantly be comparing yourself to others and never be able to love and accept yourself.

I feel like this person is jealous of me.  I think I am going to take it as a compliment and move forward.

"What other people think of you is none of your business."

in a garden somewhere

I was speaking to a friend the other day. Somehow we got on the subject of "the one that got away" concept of lovers/ex-lovers/wanted ex-lovers.

you know those relationships (or never requited ones) that you "knew deep down in your heart" would've worked if one thing (or many things) were not true? The ones where time, age, distance, circumstance, or just plain fate stepped in and blocked you from the happy ending?

If those blocks weren't there, would it have worked out? Was that your "soul mate"? I don't think this is how it works.

I think there is a purpose to those blockades, those barriers bigger than you. They are to keep you from missing something better you can't see yet.

I know this belief that "everything happens the way is supposed to", "what's meant to be is meant to be", is not a new one. It also relies heavily on a foundational belief that the Universe, Destiny, God - whatever you believe is bigger than you - is the real determiner of your future.


 

I think when it comes to big things, like Love, Destiny - there is a higher power involved looking out for your best interest. Even if in that moment it appears cruel, tragic, unfair or makes no sense - I choose to believe this way. The alternative is just too stark, too depressing to accept. There has to be something that was meant for you that was better than what you wanted - if not, then what is the point? Wouldn't they be with you if it is was "meant to be"?

To ask another question: Let's say if you met them once again, in a garden somewhere or coffee shop. You spoke with this ill-fated lover and said everything you wanted and they now could be with you - would you want to be with them still?

The people I love have changed since I knew them. They are no longer the men I fell in love with, but different in personality, belief, and measure of experience. They are probably (let's hope) better men than when I met them - as I like to believe I am a better woman as well. But even if they have improved or not, the person I once was in love with is gone for good. The person from that time has left and this is a new person to meet. So maybe I'd like that new person too, but that's a large gamble.

My heart is still achey for the RPJ but it's never gonna happen so i need to remember that. But "we were so perfect for each other" keeps ringing in my head. It's one of those situations when you're like, "if i could just show them how good we are for each other" but i think this all happened for a reason and we probably not good for each other. It's just me being in love with the idea of love.

Just random thoughts.....i write to figure out.


 


 

Michigany

Right now i am sipping a Vernors in my basement. I have just come in from shovelling away piles and piles of snow, which will only reappear in 2 more hours.
I feel very very Michiganian/Michigandery right now. I should be watching Escanaba in the Moonlight.

I am not going to miss shovelling the huge amounts of snow!
but i wonder if i will miss the occasional snow day?