Springtime Wholeness & Wholesomeness

Are signs of new hope blooming in your world yet? While we’re not seeing budding just yet, my allergies alert me it’s close. And I’m always ready for hope! When do we NOT yearn for fresh hope? As I age, it’s easy to grow cynical, rigid, and more reactive. Something shifts when we soften and welcome the new to change us. Will that be a season? A hobby? A vocation? Plentiful quotes to pin here with a spirit of springtime wholeness and wholesomeness. Maybe an idea here for Body, Mind, & Spirit will have its way with you.

Springtime Wholeness & Wholesomeness: Body, Mind, & Spirit

1. Explore Inspiring Springtime Quotes

While I have posted inspirational quotes since this blog’s inception (January of 2010), we do seem to lean into them more than ever as we push to the later end of the 2020s.

Did you feel anything in your body after reading ‘the latter end of the 2020s?’ Because there’s a bit of hope straight away!

We are more than halfway through this decade of decades. If you have felt as if you are simply trying to muddle through, allow yourself to feel compassion toward yourself for successfully muddling.

I struggle with real problems daily (real in the sense they don’t vanish by throwing money at them).

Professional, relational, and spiritual issues beyond chronic illness arrive.

Life grows more complicated.

I tire easily and often feel unsafe. My faith wavers.

I’m ever reliant on grace.

In EVERY season, my heart longs to echo soothing consolation right here for you and for me.

But Spring?

SPRING is especially pregnant with promise, yes?

How might its fragrance and hope reach us right where we are?

Seeds of Doubt are Plentiful

Growing up, I absorbed a message that said seasons of spiritual depravity with their seeds of doubt were dangerous.

However, as I matured, those questions bubbling up seemed to add rich depth, not threat, to the journey.

Here I am. A human seed planted in the earth. Small and insignificant. Knowing precious little. Holding far more paradox than certainty.

A seed…open to the grace of sunlight, the grace of rain. Longing to grow. Awed by photosynthesis. In some respects, ever wrestling in the dark.

These SPRING offerings inspired by nature’s wisdom are shared in a humble spirit of unknowing and deep peace.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

2. Let a Walk Transform You

If you are physically able to walk, perhaps it’s time to make this a priority. It’s my favorite since it alters: muscle tone, mood, perspective, prognosis, digestion, blood pressure, anxiety, and MORE.

My walking buddy moved away a few years back so my walks are often in solitude.

If you walk alone, if it helps to keep you walking longer, listen to music or a podcast. (I listen to We Can Do Hard Things and On Being With Krista Tippett.)

If you are unfamiliar with the work of poet, theologian, and healer Pádraig Ó Tuama, you are in for a treat!

3. Walk Your Prayers

Being outdoors in nature helps most of us better get out of our minds and into our hearts. I love embodied prayer, and there are endless variations.

Here’s a sweet piece on the topic.

You can even drive your prayers! Most of my doctor appointments involve long drives. Communing with God on such journeys transforms a dreaded trip into something sacred.

4. Zen Space Outdoors

While I could more easily help you select a patio dining set than demonstrate yoga postures or advise you about garden roses, I can attest how simple, thoughtful gestures make a difference.

Have a sunny area where a simple plant, chair, and perch for a drink can go?

Is there a place somewhere outside without too much distraction to “bathe your inner world in transforming presence,” meditate or spend 10 minutes stretching?

5. Laughter as Daily Medicine

Have a friend who totally gets your sense of humor?

Make a pact to daily text each other funny memes, silly tweets, or quotes. This beauty on the left is my sunshine girl. If we weren’t sisters, we would still choose each other as besties.

If you’re reading this, Jo, I love your guts so daygum much.

6. A Self-love Soak

Make an appointment with yourself for a meditative, calm, quiet soak to soothe muscles, soften skin, and seek a new mind.

Sometimes a shower or long soak in the tub can work wonders. Here’s a lovely oil with a subtle scent infused with Rosemary and Bergamot. You can even gently massage it into your scalp.

Don’t be in a hurry during or after. AVEDA’s Foot Relief (above) is a wonderful nightly ritual.

This is the luxurious mask I have been repurchasing, and I highly recommend it despite the luxurious price. Try not to eat it!

No tub? Short on time? Give those sweet little feet of yours a bubble bath with the help of a large basin or bowl. Close your eyes and let go of the day’s disappointments, of tomorrow’s worries. Use the time for prayer or meditation.

7. Intentional Awakening to the Present Moment

Here’s a proactive way to cease worrying and become fully present:

View this post on Instagram

Dear Ones: To ground yourself in the present moment (and escape the fears and fantasies of the unknown future) try this simple trick. Look at your current surroundings. Name 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can hear, 3 things that you can feel, 2 things that you can smell, and 1 thing that you can taste. There. Now you have landed in this moment, in this place. And this moment, in this place, is the only time and place where we ever have a chance to find peace. I love you! ❤️LG

A post shared by Elizabeth Gilbert (@elizabeth_gilbert_writer) on Mar 15, 2020 at 7:24am PDT

8. Invest in New Growth

It doesn’t have to be a complicated raised bed vegetable garden or a rescue kitten, but welcome the joy of growth into your life this Spring.

A few succulents or a little pot of rosemary near the kitchen window will do. Look around at the gardeners and animal lovers in your life and notice how their “chores” keep them centered in life-giving pursuits.

9. Busy The Hands As You Create Beauty

Did the watercolor by Jeanne at the start of this post make your heart sing with its vibrancy? Maybe it’s time to try watercolor painting or take a ceramics class.

Here’s a place to start:

Ever wanted to learn to upholster? Here’s a book by Amanda Brown or you can take her online course and learn to make an upholstered headboard.

10. Add One Super Green to Your Diet

Not only is it difficult to overhaul your whole diet, it can be unwise to make drastic adjustments (speaking from experience!). Adding just one new plant is a smart start.

Last year, mine was spinach. I buy a quantity of fresh organic baby spinach and work it into my meals every single day. Why spinach? It’s a superfood, and I also want to do everything to prevent macular degeneration which runs in my family.

25 years ago, I took care of my mama after surgery to repair a macular hole in her eye. She had to remain face down for two weeks in order for the eye to heal properly. That meant being seated in a massage chair with head down in the face rest all day and sleeping on her tummy at night with the face rest off the bed.

I also added kale, celery, cucumbers, and green apples to my weekly list.

In a helpful article about enhancing the immune system, we’re encouraged: “Don’t worry about measuring exact amounts of produce. Just fill at least half your plate at each meal with colorful vegetables and fruits. Or, eat a pile of produce the size of your head each day.”

11. Give Your Skin a Boost Too

Are there lots of weather fluctuations where you live? Changes in humidity and seasonal conditions with springtime often mean our skincare needs change.

Skin is an organ, and skincare regimens are not solely for high maintenance types; babying your skin can become a beautiful self-kindness practice.

12. Subscribe to MILIEU

Why subscribe? Because each issue over-delivers, and you will feel beyond spoiled with the beauty shared!

Remember the cover (above) of the spring 2021 issue? Mercy! And the home of Nashville designer Robin Rains with architecture by Jeffrey Dungan!

13. Collect Inspiring Ideas for Spring & Summer

You can begin here in my archives HERE or go directly to my Pinterest and maybe create a new SPRING related board.

14. Think Spring Apparel Finds

I shared admire offerings from J. Crew, Nordstrom Rack (check out their activewear and don’t forget about Lululemon), and even H&M for a number of lovely finds.

15. Spend an Afternoon With a New Book

The Romantic Home: Celebrating Past and Present Design (CICO Books, 2023) by Fifi O’Neill with photography by Mark Lohman is a great choice for a cozy Spring afternoon savoring simplicity on its pages.

This color story strikes me as especially spring-like with its softly nostalgic blue greens. I have always been drawn to aqua, celadon, and pale sage!

Does it show up in your spring and summertime wardrobe?

16. Boost that Mood

It’s always fun to try a new lipcolor, and if you like natural, beigey nudes, here’s a subtle one from Kosas with the added benefit of plumping and hydrating without stickiness.

17. Give Yourself Time Off

If possible, take an afternoon off. Park yourself on a bench to read a book, head to a park or garden to snap photos, go for a drive with the windows down and nostalgic music turned up, or do nothing at all…but spend it.

18. Fake a Tan

If you’re after bronze goddess factor and a faux summery bronze way before May’s flowers, I just picked up one of these. OMG, I have been repurchasing Milk Makeup cream blush sticks for years, but I had never ventured beyond my favorite shade (Werk). I had no idea what I was missing. I have always used powder bronzers, but this is a gamechanger since the look stays dewy.

19. Free Beauty

Do you REALLY need the nudge from me to treat yourself to extra minutes of sleep to undo the day’s damaging stress, boost collagen production and immune function, minimize cortisol levels, improve your mood, and heal any number of hurts?

Still Hooked On This Dreamy Pillow!

Sleep in. Unplug from media for hours before you go to sleep. Dream of spring tulips…

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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