A confession before we begin... 1) Sorry, for the hiatus! But, not really. Sometimes we need a change or a break. Mine was a change, and blogging was something that just didn't fit into what I was doing and trying to achieve.. for a bit. 2) I wanted a comeback - an informative post full of food facts, nutritional advice, and stories! After I spent a few hours writing, I deleted it. Because once again, things change. And personally, this place of "change" is exactly where I'm at. Let's begin.
Spring has officially came and has decided to stay. I could not be any more psyched! Let's be real, I don't even love Spring, as my heart belongs to Summer. And that just means we are so much closer. Heat and humidity, where you at?!
During this season, our bodies can start to take a toll. Not only with the weather change, but the longer days, change of pace, or the sudden realization of all we need or want to do. Winter hibernation is no longer an excuse. So what should we really be doing? Getting rid of all the stuff weighing us down! From some extra pounds, toxins, clutter and past bullshit. Yes, I said it. That bullshit.
It's so easy to get caught up in unnecessary clutter. We can even call it the excess that no longer serves us. Whether it is extra weight from the winter to our unorganized thoughts and closets, I wanted to find a way to make it not so intimidating, rather something you want to get done. Your own way of therapy.
What it's going to come down to is CREATING SPACE. In 3 areas, how I've been able to get it done, and make it my own.
Create Space in Our Bodies
Anybody else dramatic about the cold? Eating all the heavy comforting food, and maybe very well experienced in hibernation. That would be me! From all the winter's heavy foods and lack of movement there is an excess that needs to be rid of (toxins and weight) and a digestive system that needs to be reset. By ingesting seasonal cleansing foods and igniting some inner fire, we can rid and make space for a new seasonal diet and a much lighter feeling.
~ Eat Seasonally. Dandelions, spinach, sprouts, radishes, and asparagus are my favorite. Play with recipes! I found cooking to be my therapy as of late; even being able to make a simple nourishing plate beautiful. Maybe you're not a big cook? Find some local restaurants that specialize in seasonal and local fares. Cleansing does not have to mean depriving!
~Move! Sweat! I took a break from yoga, but as soon as I went back, I couldn't believe why I stopped in the first place. It felt amazing (and scary) and I immediately felt a difference. Keep your body moving and the rest of your systems and endorphins will follow!
Create Space in Our Minds
This one was tricky for me. Food and health, I can write and talk about forever, and feel pretty confident about. The mind? Well working on myself alone, that was a challenge in itself. Basically, I knew that I needed a change of mindset. Whatever that has happened in the last few months, good or bad, had to take a backseat. I needed to reevaluate what exactly it was that I wanted to feel and where I wanted to be for right now. I needed space in my head, not for it to be filled with more ideas, but a clarity of what I was already doing for myself.
~Get active! The past few months I've had every excuse to not get moving. I stopped yoga and really became an expert in not leaving my house. After getting out and going back, I decided to take advantage of this new lifestyle. The "just do it attitude" came about, no contemplation. I got rid of all the excuses in my head. Time, money, and motivation. Being active became my excuse to let go of those repetitive thoughts.
~ Surrender. Because the bullshit is going to keep on coming. Honestly, I learned to feel it out and let it be. I let go of things I could not change or handle. From relationships lost to selling my car, I felt my world being turned upside down. And it truly did. Accepting what I had to do allowed me to be in the present. Let go of the past and what could have been, do not worry about the future and what is unknown. Be Here.
Creating Space in Our Surroundings
Pick just one or two things. No matter if you discard or reorganize, you will find yourself wanting to see less around you...more space. I've had some very messy habits in the past. Now I live to see clear surfaces. Especially in my kitchen. It became my canvas. My space to work from scratch again and again.
~Clean out your closet and drawers. Donate or recycle! Plenty of ways to discard guilt-free.
~Organize your pantry. Or whatever it is that you use everyday. A bookshelf? Computer? Make your space manageable again.
~Your relationships. Friendships, family, or lovers, where might the space serve you? I'm not even talking about completely letting go. It does not have to be all or nothing, which is something I'm. Still. Learning. Keep in mind what it is you need out of them and what can you be without them?
Spring is 3 months long. It's never too late. Don't rush. Work with what you got. Small means can do great things.