- Rebuilding:
- 10 Ways to Spring Forward
- By: Jennifer Snyder
The whole notion of setting my
clock ahead an hour each spring usually leaves me feeling a little
resentful.
An hour lost; don’t they
know what I might have accomplished with an extra sixty minutes
of work, or a little more sleep?
|
This year, however, was different.
Anxious to leave winter behind, I didn’t focus on the loss
of an hour but took delight in the promise of warmer temperatures,
and even contemplated how my coaching clients could use this
season to “spring forward”.
Here is only the beginning
of a list to get you started:
Go for a walk alone. Stretching
and moving has been shown to improve clarity, creativity, and
memorization. If you’d like some entertainment for your
walk, the public library and Cracker Barrel offer books on tape.
Get moving with friends; even
with children peddling ahead on bicycles, you should have an
opportunity to share stories and support. |
|
Venture further than your neighborhood.
Spring and summer schedules often afford greater flexibility.
Could grandparents or former spouses care for the children while
you took a night, or even a weekend, away?
Attend one of your children’s
friend’s little league games (if you’re already sitting
through your own children’s games, skip this one). An evening
on the bleachers is another good way to interact with adults
while your children enjoy playing with friends.
Host a yard sale. Is this a good
time to clear out old belongings and old memories? The money
you raise could even fund that weekend get-away.
Recreate your old favorite spring
rituals. An evening of fun with the kids doesn’t have to
result in great expense. Would they enjoy chasing lightning bugs,
playing with sparklers, spitting watermelon seeds, or running
through the garden hose?
Dine al fresco - whether it’s
dinner in the backyard, a picnic in the park after work, or the
outside tables at McDonald’s, you’re going to cherish
this memory when January rolls back around.
Listen to music under the stars
- does your community have a symphony or jazz band that offers
free outdoor concerts? Pack up the kids, the lawn chairs, and
enjoy the beat together.
Snap your surroundings - invest
in a disposable camera and take pictures of budding trees, blossoming
flowers, and growing children. If you’re making new memories
and want to redecorate your home around your new definition of
family, this could be a good way to start.
Try something new as a single
woman, or as a family. Take the first step to develop new routines
that affirm you. Is there a place you’ve wanted to explore,
a new restaurant you’ve been anxious to try, or a goal you
can’t believe you’re finally going to tackle?
The season provides you with
an ideal opportunity to honor your newly restructured families,
and yourself. Whether you are creating new rituals, taking that
first big step, or making time for your own self-care, may you
experience joy and satisfaction as you Spring Forward! |
