New beginnings aren’t always easy, but spring is the perfect time to welcome positive change in your life. Here, columnist Grace Victory explores how we can embrace starting anew, and enter a transformative time with the right mindset
For years now, I’ve always felt that the emphasis on ‘new year new me’ vibes in January is just counterproductive. More often than not, it’s cold, we’re broke, and we’re on a serious come down from the festive period. It just doesn’t make sense to my soul to try to have all this energy and vitality, when technically we should be in hibernation mode until spring.
Like nature, when winter arrives we want to sleep more, nest more, and spend time inside in the warm. Our homes become cosier and more inviting, and we often choose a mug of hot cocoa on the sofa over going out for cocktails with the girls. For me, the start of the year is about rest, resetting, and doing as many restorative things as I possibly can (which can be very hard with my one-year-old, but I try nonetheless). I also love to declutter and reorganise ahead of spring, because, in my eyes, that’s when the New Year really begins.
The Spring Equinox comes at a time where our days are filled with more light, flowers are beginning to bloom, and you can taste summer just around the corner. Cadbury Mini Eggs are readily available (yum!), you can ditch your winter coat and instead wear your favourite cardi, your toddler still wakes you up at 6am but at least the sun is shining, and the thought of a fresh start becomes less overwhelming and more exciting.
There is just something in the air around springtime that makes me feel like “Hey… I’m ready! Let’s take on life, let’s manifest our dreams, let’s level up, let’s boss this… I can do this.”
But let’s be honest, beginning again can feel daunting. Whether it’s a calendar date, moving out, or the end of a relationship, this sense of change can quickly turn into an anxiety-inducing task that you ultimately don’t feel ready for, but you know in your heart you must do.
When I can feel a change on the horizon, or that little niggle in the pit of my stomach that I need to start over, I tend to just hit pause so I can re-evaluate and make adjustments accordingly. My head feels too full a lot of the time, and I end up getting tired – but the type of tired that sleep can’t fix. That cry over spilt milk, no motivation, I hate the world kind of tired – if you know, you know. I then become bored, frustrated, and fixate on everything I need to do, so much so that I end up doing none of it. For me to be rested enough to feel inspired, I use the months before spring to take it slow, think about the things I want to bring into my life, and the things I need to let go of in order for that to happen.
Believe it or not, the humanity in us would like to reflect nature, but the capitalist world has made us think otherwise. We should be changing with the tides, evolving through the cycles, and honouring ourselves throughout each season. If we choose to go slow throughout winter, we will have the vim to start fresh come springtime. This approach can be used throughout our lives in other ways, too. For example, after a breakup, it’s always healthier and more beneficial to grieve that relationship, reassess where you’re at now, and become reacquainted with the ‘single’ you, rather than jump on Tinder the minute your partner has moved out. There is something beautiful about the messy in-between stage before you put real change into action.
New beginnings are the chance to renew and rebirth. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, we can dust off the cobwebs and be open to opportunities of growth and alignment. It’s an exciting time of hope, vibrancy, and youthful spirit. It’s letting go of what’s been, and walking towards what could be – and how refreshing is that? It’s truly the epitome of ‘better days are coming’ and I don’t know about you, but that is something I really look forward to. Beginning again may not always be easy, but my goodness is it worth it.
Remember, you can begin again on any day, at any time, and in any moment, and it is courageous and brave to do so.
Love Grace x
Come back next month for more from Grace!