The birds are chirpier, the sky’s brighter, the light is lighter and the day to pack away the winter clothes (in this hemisphere) isn’t too far off now…
I used to be an autumn fan for its mellowness, its crisp blue skies and apple harvests, with a deep appreciation for the sun before it decides to pretty much retire for a whole season, but spring and summer are my big loves now.
“Spring is when life’s alive in everything”
Christina Rossetti
This new season is when a detox makes sense (not so much in winter, when our bodies need nourishment) and there’s so much possibility in planting seeds – literally and figuratively:
New flowers, new plants
Sowing the seeds of a new goal or project
A new nail shade/s for the new season
Switching up your skincare routine
New essential oils for the kitchen or office
A new routine (waking up earlier to greet the sun at golden hour? Longer walks thanks to more minutes of daylight?)
The prospect of lunch outside with a friend on an especially warm and sunny day feels glorious, and spring’s new spray of wildflowers and wild colours are so welcome, finally, after the hi-bear-nation of winter…
HAPPY SPRING!
Five ways to celebrate the new season
1. MANUCURIST free-from nail polish (shade: Light Blue)
2. A hyacinth plant in the kitchen
3. Switch to a lighter cream, milk or gel cleanser (this gel one is one of my favourites, it’s lightly fragranced with neroli which always reminds me of when I lived in Morocco ♥️ for a while, and it comes in a cleansing milk version too)
4. Invest in a plastic-free, zero waste solid skincare hero like Beauty Shortlist Eco Lifestyle Awards winner SBTRCT (with this two-in-one discovery set)
Side note…The Beauty Shortlist’s 2023 ECO LIFESTYLE AWARDS are now OPEN for entries – please click here for the Entry Form and further information:
ENTRY FORM
5. Start a daily gratitude practice (this has worked wonders for me). But I have to keep reminding myself to get back into it, and arguably it’s even more vital when things are particularly difficult and life feels like a week after week hardship.
It’s almost life-changing when you get into the rhythm of it – thank you for (names of people you love), thank you for the (birds, bees, flowers, mountains, sea, beach, sun in the morning, list is endless!), and on and on.
It helps rewire us, wonderfully.
Even if you just say “FIVE THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR” – in your head – when you wake up and before you go to sleep…
I like to do free-flow writing at a coffee table in the sun with a very fluid rollerball pen, turning the pages of a cheap and cheerful notebook without stopping.
Then I’ll use a more keep-forever journal for wish lists, life goals, travel and life memories, that sort of thing…
I bought both of these Paperblanks journals below (their day to a page diaries are good too and if your handwriting is large like mine the larger sizes give you a generous page per day to “freeflow” or plan your way through each week).
My notebooks
1) ADINA BUKHARA DESIGN: PAPERBLANKS (I think this one’s out of stock/old/not that easy to find now, but it popped up randomly on a website so I bought it last Christmas, it’s embossed, I love it)
2) NEW: WILDWOOD – TREE OF LIFE JOURNAL
(The photo doesn’t do it justice and this one is less obviously “embossed” but there are tiny reflective flecks sprinkled within the gold leaves which sparkle in sunlight)
I think I’m going to start the Gratitude Practice today, I meandered away from it. Anyway…wishing you a good week and a healthy, happy new season full of promise and possibilities and lovely walks in nature (and flowers!) x
Beautiful email Fi x