Winter is finally coming to an end (though it seems a few more cold days are in store!) and it’s time to think about Spring. We’re still living with restrictions to what we can do and where we can go, so today we’re taking a look at some of the things you can do to notice, explore and enjoy the spring even in these restricted circumstances.
Walking
There are lots of reasons not to go for a walk – it’s still cold, March and April are famed for their wet weather, there might not be anywhere particularly nice to walk close to home. It’s still worth going out though!
You can still enjoy walking in wet, cold conditions with a bit of preparation. Wearing waterproofs, like anoraks and over-trousers insulate you from the rain, thick jumpers and multiple layers keep you warm, and once you’ve taken that first leap of venturing out into the rain and wind, you’ll find you’re liberated from that dreary feeling of being stuck at home.
This means you’re able to see the season as it develops – even if you don’t live in the countryside, or even near a park, street trees, front gardens, even weeds can show the year moving forward with all the life and growth that promises summer to come. It’s good for your mental health too – getting outside can give you an instant boost to your sense of wellbeing, and those signs of spring show you that time is indeed passing, even though our day to day experience feels all too static.
Crafting
One way to weave the seasons into your life is by developing a crafting hobby. Taking inspiration from the sights and colours in the world around you makes your projects specific to time of year, and shows you what is specifically different and beautiful as the spring comes in.
You don’t have to start with the most ambitious project. Ordering an art subscription box from an online crafting company is a great way to start – weaving rainbows is a popular project, a good way to build your crafting experience, start collecting the tools and materials you need to grow and an appropriate subject for the season of April showers!
Cooking
Cooking is another great way to observe the changes that spring causes. Look for seasonal recipes that use ingredients that are fresh on the shelves, and be guided by what you want to eat on any given day. Dinner on a cold, dark day in early March is a very different thing to dinner in late May, with the temperature warmer, days longer and weather tending towards summer.
