Has anyone else noticed that no matter what season we’re in, we complain about how much work we have to do? In fall it’s all those leaves we have to rake and making sure our homes are ready for the ravages of winter. In winter it’s shoveling, sanding/deicing, praying our roof doesn’t collapse and of course all the holiday brouhaha. In summer it’s yardwork, opening and closing the cottage and maintaining our toys.
Now we have spring. Ack, spring cleaning! The yard needs to be cleaned up. Put the winter clothes away, bring out the summer ones. And, if you’re like that, clean the house top to bottom, including all those corners you’ve been ignoring, windows, taking down the curtains and washing them, cleaning the fridge and oven and on and on.
No wonder you’re feeling overworked!
Part of this process is de-cluttering. De-cluttering is an important thing for our well-being. It creates space for new things – ideas and goods. It cleans out the cobwebs of our mind. And it takes a lot of time and effort.
Everywhere you turn right now there are admonitions to get your home/yard and so on cleaned up for the season. In order to make the process complete, there are a few things you need to do for YOU!
Spring is a time of rebirth, so let’s rebirth your treatment of you and awaken your sensuality.
Here are five ways you can awaken your senses and, therefore, your sensuality and take care of yourself this spring.
- Celebrate your successes. It’s so easy to forget how far we’ve come and concentrate on what’s next. Take the time to pat yourself on the back with a treat or by writing in a journal to remind you of your progress. If we always concentrate on the next step, we feel like we haven’t come very far. When you climb a mountain, you take the time to look back and go “Wow!” Do the same with your life. For everything from the steps to create a big goal to the chores you’ve done in a day, they all deserve a look back and a “Wow!”
- Find ways to enjoy the new season. Take a walk and smell the newness and growth all around you. Notice how the color of spring leaves are so different from what they become in the summer. As you clean out your flower beds, enjoy the new buds coming up. Take a moment to notice the sun on your skin and drink in the Vitamin D you’ve been longing for over the bundled up months.
- Take up a new hobby. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Painting? Karate? Cross stitch? Running? Animal husbandry? Whatever it is you’ve been denying yourself because of all the excuses you’ve been making, take a leap and JUST DO IT!
- Learn to accept compliments graciously. Whether it’s for something you did or how you look, I’m sure you get compliments all the time. We’re taught to be “humble” so we tend to wave off compliments. A compliment is gift. When you say “oh this old thing” or “it was nothing” you’re taking that gift and slam-dunking it into the garbage. Instead say an honest “Thank you.” Then notice how often you get compliments. You probably didn’t even realize how much people appreciated you because you were busy being so “humble.”
- Buy something special for yourself. Since you’ve just finished cleaning out your closet, go buy a sexy new outfit – don’t forget the incredible shoes! You may not have shaved your legs most of the winter. Go to the spa and get a wax and, while you’re at it, a pedicure and why not a facial, too. Whatever it is that makes you feel good, stop denying yourself and give yourself a treat. You deserve it!
Spring is when the flowers and trees bust loose. How about you?
Hugs, Christie
Be Beautiful, Be YOU!