The Sparkle Guide to The Beginning of Spring!

Image by Eduardo Deboni

A little premature perhaps, but Spring is definitely on the way here in the UK! After all the snow, wind and rain of the past few months, the days are getting longer, brighter and warmer finally! It couldn’t come a moment too soon for me! Obviously the weather is rather changeable, days are starting bright and sunny and ending in torrential rain but the optimism has definitely kicked in and not just for me! My office is a much happier place right now than it was a month ago!

At this time of the year, when spirits are starting to rise but Spring isn’t quite here just yet, it’s important to make the most of the renewed energy and enjoy this time of year! Here’s my guide to making the most of the early beginnings of Spring!

* The seasons are changing, make some changes of your own! Now is a great time to start working towards the life youwant. Bored of your job? Start looking for another. In a style rut? Re-vamp your wardrobe! The sense of optimism that comes with the longer, brighter days makes this a great time to make the changes that need to be made.

* Start getting up earlier! It’s easier to get out of bed when it’s bright outside, so start pulling yourself out of bed  a little earlier than you were doing when it was dark and gloomy, and get something done! Reply to some emails, read for a while, take the time to have a proper breakfast if you don’t usually have time to, set yourself up for the day ahead!

* Exercise! Although I’ve already covered this with my Making 2009 Sparkle post for March, now is a great time to get back into an exercise routine after the winter slump. Don’t waste that energy boost!

* Go for a walk – When it’s dry, this time of year is great for walking, as it’s still nice and cool so you won’t end up overheating when you exert yourself, but it’s warm enough that you won’t have to pile on the layers and feel your face freeze.

Image by miamtha creations

* Spring Cleaning! - Yes, it’s a bit of a cliché, but the spring clear-out can be a really satisfying process, and you’ll feel great once it’s done!

* Healthy Eating  - Now that it’s a bit warmer you don’t “need” all that fattening comfort food anymore!

* Re-evaluate your goals - Many of us feel a lot more optimistic as the warmer weather approaches than we do at the start of the year. Look back at your resolutions, are they all that they could be? If you’re not doing so well at them, ask yourself why. It’s never too late to change your goals or take a fresh start at achieving them.

* Plan your summer wardrobe - Have a look through the clothes you already have, work out how they’ll go together to create outfits so that you have a good overview of what you already own. Then you won’t be so tempted when the summer clothes start to hit the shelves.

* Make a spring play-list – to get you in the right mood each morning, whether it’s sunny or not!

* Take inspiration – from your surroundings. Take photos of the flowers as they come into bloom, start a new writing project, post your own musings on the season to come, make this a creative time!

How do you plan to make the most out of the early signs of Spring?