We have RISEN

I don’t know about you, but it’s finally start to thaw up here in the Northeast and I am feeling good. The sunlight is in full force, my snowblower is all tucked away until next season and there are even some tulips popping through the ground. I finally feel like we have risen!

We all know the impacts of colder weather, darker days and that lack of movement that really drags down your mood, energy and just overall aura (see our last blog on SAD). I just love the Springtime when your engine gets revving again, your excitement for outside time comes back and you can start to break free of the walls of your house. Starting to stir so we can Rise!

So what does Rising mean to you? We all know that language and terminology when it comes to the religious perspective. But I am not talking about that here. I am talking about that internal feeling of “ok Kathryn time to dust of the cobwebs and get it moving”. Here is my perspective on Rising: Spring, Summer and Fall are my jam. Spring is that nice warm up to a rather hectic Summer and then we cross right into Fall, my favorite season, where we try to soak in those last few moments of bonfires, warmth and leaves changing. I need Winter to force myself to rest, relax and lay the hell down. Spring is where you start stretching your legs, literally and figuratively. You start rising from the Winter and getting ready for things to come.

So let’s start a little Rise Checklist:

1.      Sit down and decide what do you want out of the next few seasons? Do you want an action-packed summer full of camps, amusement parks, lake trips and vacations. Or is this summer feeling like a home time, hanging out at the local pool, soaking in the sun? What can you be doing now to set up your summer and fall to align with what you want?

2.      Check in on your eating habits and your exercise goals. I have recently started a 21-day challenge of healthy eating and consistent gym time. That is not because I care about my summer body (that ship has sailed!) it’s because I know I want an action-packed summer with my kids, and I want to feel my best and keep up. What do you need to tune up and is there a short term/few weeks goal that you can implement to help you meet that?

3.      What is going on in your community and how can you get involved? We all know that our current political climate is difficult, at best.  Can you find an organization to spend an hour or two giving back? Is there a local volunteering club or a food pantry you can go help out? Helping others rise helps us rise. Implement a way to give back and see what it gives back to you. When I do this, I start to recognize that the cracks in our current society are largely overblown. People are just people and want to help each other. Its helpful not to forget that.

4.      Book that babysitter. My husband and I just found a new babysitter who has some great availability. My husband and I don’t drink much and we are not out there hitting the clubs (we also live in NH, are clubs even a thing up here?!) We really wanted a Sunday morning babysitter instead of those Friday/Saturday date nights. So we booked her for every other Sunday morning from 9-12. We go to the gym together, have a nice breakfast, walk in our downtown and just take a breath. Look at your calendars and be creative. Where can you build in some space to rise together with your partner (no pun intended…or maybe it is 😊)?

5.      What is something that you want to learn or accomplish? Now, I am not talking about getting a professional certification, that is something I do when we are hunkered down in the winter (but you do you!). I am thinking about things like “we need a new mailbox post”, or “I wonder what types of plants I have in my front yard?” Rise up your game a bit and learn something new. It feels good to gain that little bit of knowledge and when you do that job yourself there’s no better feeling.

6.      Schedule that lunch. You know that friend or colleague you have been meaning to have lunch with? Put it on the schedule. And don’t just pencil it in. Sharpie it in. You need that time to grow, connect and align with another person to help you rise into Spring.

These are just a few of the things I am doing to help me Rise out of Winter and get ready for what’s next. How are you planning to Rise and what is on your Rise checklist?