Spring cleaning, finding the smile, and planting the flowers. (A holy trinity!)

Ah spring has sprung.

May the spring bunnies of joy and new beginnings unleash onto us. 

Without the metaphor here, that is quite a horrifying thought actually. 

(Harrold would be quite a fine name for a rabbit I reckon.)

I can only speak for myself of course, but i think the spring sunshine has been quite the sigh of relief.  

Especially in a time of confinement, the small but bold burst of sunshine that streams through the curtains each morning, is truly setting a new, fresh take on the start of the day.

I think springtime knew that we all needed a little pat on the back from the sunshine, and a dose of relief as the flowers grow and become their own little personalities. The daisies, we already know, (thanks to fictional character Kathleen Kelly) are the friendliest flower. The peonies, always charming. And the daffodils, what you see is what you get (friendly and unpretentious.)  

In a beautiful book called ‘’Think like a Tree’’, I am reminded to think more about what stands around us and the beautiful arch of towering trees that we live under, the og skyscrapers. 

The author explores how trees are deeply aware, ‘’They can even pass memories between generations. They may even have a sort of heartbeat’’ The heartbeat is the fact that they respond by expanding as water is fed to them.) And trees live life without personal or societal destruction. There is so much to be learnt from others around us, but even the example of how a tree lives, how it teaches the generations after them, how a flower blooms, is grounding and inspiring for us all. 

With a quick check in with the blue sky, and a hot lemon water in hand, I feel ready to practice a loving morning routine!

Ofcourse, not everyday is always bright, even when the sunshine is in sight, but with all my might, I would like to embrace the days when hope is at flight!

Corny, indeed. 

Just the way I like it. 

Anyways, whatever the day looks like at the moment, I have found that starting my day with yoga (and or dancing) to feel sassy and fabby, writing three affirmations to give thanks, and reading my daily stoic, just starts my day off with a bit of positivity to put in my positivitea and a little gratitude to help the day be as pleasant and meaningful as possible. 

Whether I have been doing spring cleaning of home, or spring cleaning of how the day looks like, I find when both are in harmony my life feels lots more comfortable and allows much more sunshine to be invited in the day. 

Whether the things that make me smile in a day are listening to my podcasts, making a picnic to go to the park, choosing between teas, attending to my daily ritual of journaling and writing affirmations, reading, or looking forward to virtual book club, or learning about flour and knife techniques on my baking course, i have realised that these small, quiet moments of peace are what makes the week so bright and lovely on reflection. 

And with an extra ingredient of appreciation in this time.

In this time of spring, and in an overall sense of freshness, I usually feel particularly at this time and in Autumn time (this sense that there can be a rebirth in how we feel and approach things and the leaves fall or the blossom flourishes and the daisies beam in complements to this! <3) why not write a handwritten note or letter to someone you care about, perhaps even yourself to find on a day when you need a little reminder of optimism and a pick me up. 

Sometimes I leave little notes around the house for my bf! 

Sometimes truly writing to catch up with someone can feel more intimate than a cyber exchange, and it can hit a refresh in how special you view that relationship, when you gage their words on something they have written. My mum’s letters always make me feel that she isn’t that far away after all. 

I hope that within this time, you make time to give yourself a refresh, whatever that looks like for you. 

Sometimes a beautiful way to feel refreshed is the old DIY face mask (I love honey and aloe vera that has been left in the fridge!) and sometimes it doesn't just feel skin deep as you let something lovely and refreshing feed your body for a moment. 

And baking. I have been reminded that feeling all of those ingredients and mixing and whisking and creating always feels cathartic! 

The calm of it all. 

Celebration in the fact you created something!

However simple the bake is. 

But sometimes, ofcourse, it’s more we need to do to rejuvinate and planting those flowers deep within takes more than just a face mask or time do some yoga.  

Planiting those healing flowers can look different to everybody.

It’s now that I wish I had a garden to plant real flowers too. 

But looking at them out and about and filling home with them definitely works wonders.

Just this morning, there was a bee in the bathroom making home on the flowers in the vase. 

It definitely startled us but it was quite a lovely moment on reflection. 

It’s hard to think of a sweeter friendship than bees and flowers. Thank you for the honey friends. What a colab,my goodness. 

In checking in with yourself, combining the little rituals that truly calm you and repeat them and stick to them, I believe the consistency can bring your brain some grounding time (and consistency that I feel can be a double edged sword at the moment, i know, because the days are looking the same) but the things you are in control of that make you smile, always make sure you make time for them, friend. 

It’s nothing new to say, and I am not qualified to offer mental health advice, but I just hope that you find and do and continue to discover the things that make you smile.

And repeat them! <3 

May you plant something or many things today. Whether finding a new hobby (Desprately want to sew...the cherry on top to my elderly women lifestyle.) or repeat the same dance video because it feels the perfect time and pace for you… (I like to do this) or try a fun lanuage on the cafe break series podcast, I hope you attend to you and your joy. 

Sometimes it’s in the simple reminders and the comitment to the simple joys, that we can then find  the joyful pictures in the muddled jigsaws.

Here are a few things online that have made me smile! Hopefully they will make you smile too. <3 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvVL8IurMw   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxVDN486KoY 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI

https://www.delish.com/food/a31669795/stress-baking/ 

https://www.calmmoment.com/mindfulness/how-mindful-baking-can-improve-your-mood-and-reduce-stress/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6wyp_OITrM 

The Man who planted Trees by Jean Giono. (the most wholesome, Inspirational.) 

Think like a tree by Sarah Spencer. (I was recommended this when I worked at a forest school and I believe there to be fantastic, inspiring philosophies in this book.

And for a lil pep in your step today…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8XuMDi-wIk

Happy spring. Happy planting.  <3 

Until we meet again,

Bobsy Xxxx