5 Things Bringing Me Joy This Spring

Spring may be my favourite season. The warmth in the sun, but still with a cool freshness. Flowers, fresh greens, and blossom emerging. Passing by fields and seeing newborn lambs. There’s that feeling of fresh starts and new life which really does put a (no pun intended) spring into your step. These past couple of years, spring has looked different for many people and somewhat taken away the joy of spring. Having more time around the house and garden, local area, and living a slower pace of life in lockdown, this spring particularly has stood out. I’m noticing more beautiful moments and things this season that I think I took for granted previously. Here is what is bringing me joy this spring.

Sunshine and blue skies

The weather definitely affects my mental health. I feel more energised and positive when the sun is shining and the skies are clear compared to a grey, wet, cloudy day.

The return of better weather and enough warmth to be outside comfortably is a real mood booster and opens up more opportunities to go for walks, day trips, and simply spend time outside.

Plants and flowers

I love the spring greens, blossom, and flowers starting to appear. There’s something so magical about it.

Gardening isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but I am noticing nature more and starting to truly understand how and why nature is so powerful for wellbeing.

Baking

I don’t know whether it was the prospect of Easter, the promise of tea and cake outside, or wanting to try new gluten-free recipes, who knows. Baking has been happening frequently it seems.

My mum made a clementine and almond cake from a Rick Stein recipe and it is hands down one of the best cakes ever. This is coming from someone who is a chocoholic through and through and rarely goes on about a cake if it doesn’t contain chocolate, so believe me when I say it is a must-bake.

I’ve also been experimenting with healthier cookies and trying to perfect sugar-free oat biscuits. Still yet to find the right recipe!

Walking

One of the good things to come out of lockdown has been discovering more local walks and visiting areas I haven’t been to for a long time or not at all. Leicestershire has more beautiful countryside spots than you’d think!

Home entertainment

Although lockdown is easing, there still has been a fair amount of time spent indoors.

Reminder: If you’re like me and are higher risk, it’s ok to feel apprehensive about restrictions easing.

One of my new year’s resolutions was to read more. University put me off for a bit after all the dissertation research reading! Some highlights from 2021 so far include The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, How to Calm It by Grace Victory, and Mine by Emily Merrill (I originally read this at the end of 2019, but I was ill at the time, so it was nicer to read when my health was more stable).

Audio-wise, I still have Evermore and Folklore on repeat, and am often listening to the Calming Instrumental Covers playlist on Spotify. Also my go-to for podcasts, recent Spotify plays include The Manifestation Collective podcast, Practical Positivity by Sophie Cliff, and Cherrelle Slaney’s new A Life in Sync.

Thanks to Netflix, I am someone who has caught onto The Bold Type binge-watch. Other recent watches include Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, Line of Duty, and Normal People (yes I know, I’m a bit behind with that one).

What has been bringing you joy this spring?