Channeling the Energy of Spring
Jumping into spring planning and exploring boundaries
A study from the University of Michigan found in the springtime our minds broaden, we are more open to new information, and we seek ways to be creative. Research around the spring has also demonstrated our memories increase along with our moods and energy levels. So, as we are heading into spring let’s talk about how we can capitalize on the increased mood, better memory, broader mind, and lift in energy to impact the relationships in our lives either with ourselves or others.
One pitfall I often see and experience myself is the innate pressure coming from my body to act, make plans, and do big things. This pressure creates a love-hate relationship with spring, I love the push for newness and excitement, and I hate the pressure to over-plan and the feeling of scarcity, if we don’t do it all we have missed out and do not make the best of the few warm months we have. My partner and I have already spent the last 3 weekends talking about all the projects we want to accomplish and places we want to go, soon the calendar will be packed, and the exhausting summer marathon will begin. I am going to challenge myself and everyone else to take some pressure off the season and channel energy into the direction of being more intuitive. What better time to make this happen than in the spring when we have the cognitive capacity to make it happen?
First, let’s start by doing a little journaling around the questions, “Am I too busy?”, “How often am I multitasking?”, “How full is my calendar?”, “When I look at my calendar what feelings come up for me?”, “When thinking about summer plans what feelings does it bring up for me?”, “How did I feel about last year and are there any changes I want to make?”, and “Did I spend time with the people I wanted to?” Reflecting on these questions gives clarity about the changes you would like to make.
Second, let’s talk about what balance means for you. In my relationships, this question comes up often. As a business team, we all have different views of work-life balance and have many conversations about what that means for each of us. My partner and I have a very different sense of balance around social time, leisure time, and project time. I struggle with leisure time and enjoy being busy more often. I am refilled by time with family, and he is refilled by time with friends, I like having 1 project and committing to the project until it’s finished. My summer project capacity is 1 major outside project and maybe a few smaller projects. While in the spring and summer, my partner is planning multiple projects and has several going at the same time. I want to travel and see everything while he wants more time at home or small trips into the mountains. So, balance for the season can get tricky for us as a couple and for ourselves because we can easily get out of balance with projects and plans. I challenge you to really take a minute and reflect on the journal questions from the previous step and define what balance would look and feel like. What would lessen anxiety and the feeling of being busy. Remember, this is going to be a progress, not a perfection step. You will likely be making adjustments to this as the summer goes by. Take a best guess and start there.
Now, for step three let’s make a list of possible spring and summer activities. What invites have you already gotten, what do you want to attend, what projects do you want to accomplish, and what summer responsibilities do you already have? If looking at this list feels boring and not in balance with what you want, take a minute and do some research to add things to the list and really fill it up. Or if you are already overwhelmed it might be a good idea to scale back.
Step four, of course, this step is going to be evaluating the list you created. I would recommend you utilize a trial calendar for this step so you can really get a feel for the available time and how the scheduling feels. First, go through the calendar and put in the must-dos like work, home repairs, yard work, etc. Adding any commitments you truly are unable to change on the calendar. Second, go through your list of activities and events asking yourself some questions like:
Does this bring me joy?
Does this recharge me?
Where does this rank if priority around financial, social, and emotional balance?
Am I doing this because I want to or out of guilt and obligation?
What are my motives for wanting to do this?
Does this honor the feelings I journaled about in step 1?
Am I underestimating the time commitment to this?
What other questions do I need to think about for clarity on this issue?
Based on the answers to those questions rank, schedule, and plan out the summer. Try to leave space in your plans for impromptu events or plans. Flexibility can be a good thing as long as you are evaluating it for where it fits with your vision of balance.
Step Five might be the most difficult to uphold because now we must talk about this with others and hold true to ourselves. Take a minute and decide how you are going to say no to others and what it will feel like to get pushback when you say no because it will happen. Clear is kind so be specific and clear with others around your plans. You deserve to enjoy your spring and summer by creating change and balance in your life! Sacrificing your balance and peace for others’ happiness is not ok.
Step Six come back every couple of weeks and evaluate the plan. Do you need more or less of something, did emotional, social, or financial resources change? Did you not hit the mark around balance and need to make changes? It is ok to make changes, we are seeking progress and not perfection! The goal is to seek out more balance and be more intentional with our limited resources so we can find peace.
If you are in a relationship, go through this process together and share each step making plans together. During the evaluation step make sure to communicate when things change, or change is needed. Remember to give each other space for differences and really understand your partners’ personal balance and why that is important to them. Seek to understand and not judge or criticize.
Good luck with this new conversation and challenge. Remember we are all in this together.