elegant aspirations

Despite the recent cold spell here in the Berkshires, a few brave bulbs are tentatively poking through the frozen ground. An optimistic chipmunk just appeared at the base of the bird feeder for the first time in months. The days are getting a little longer, and Daylight Saving Time is just around the corner. Spring is almost here.

There’s a palpable feeling of pent-up energy everywhere—in our gardens, forests, communities, and cities, and after this long, dark pandemic winter, within us too.

Our gardens will need a tidy-up in preparation for what’s to come, and so do we! It may not yet be time to put away our snow shovels, but it is the perfect moment to stop all the winter procrastination. We often feel comfortable with procrastination when the dark lingers longer than the light. Although we may have all the modern comforts in the world, our Stone Age survival brains are wired for hibernation when it’s cold and gloomy. As the sun drops below the horizon early, all we want to do is mix a drink, binge on our current Netflix fix, and curl up under a nice warm blanket. It's so tempting!

However, the unsettling winds of change have begun to blow, challenging our comfort and complacency. They seem to be telling us that now is the time for action. If we want to be prepared for what’s next, we must tackle all the things we have been putting off for months.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone in this. Pull out that list of tasks you’ve been meaning to address—the one hiding under a pile of papers on your desk. You don’t want to regret not completing everything you’ve been postponing, as they will only get in your way later.

Take an inventory: How is your fitness program going? What needs tidying up? How’s your decluttering coming along? What have you been avoiding? Your taxes? Routine doctor’s appointments? Signing up for life insurance? Upgrading your phone? Calling a friend? Break the list down into manageable chunks, and start today—one step at a time. Aim to finish something, no matter how small, because that sense of accomplishment will help energize you to take on the next task.

Don’t wait until tomorrow, because you probably won’t feel like doing it then either. Adding guilt or shame to the mix will only make you feel even less inclined to tackle anything.

Current projections suggest that the world will likely begin its tentative and optimistic reopening over the coming months. Many opportunities, possibilities, and reinventions are waiting to sprout and blossom. So, let’s march into spring, ready to embrace this newfound energy and blossom ourselves.