Out with the Old, in with the New

I don’t even know who I am right now… as I write this… I’m sitting in my gorgeous backyard that my husband has perfected (with a large contribution of my low-skilled labor and effort) enjoying the warm day and cool breeze. I’m sipping my newest favorite concoction of green juice and totally enjoying myself while my children nap after a busy soccer morning. It’s as close to perfection in a day that I could dream up. A slow morning of coffee and relaxing with my family, soccer, ice cream, a workout with my husband (that I forced my way through today), a good book, some peace and quiet… that’s about all I need. The warmth of spring always brings a new energy. It’s a time of birth, re-growth, and awakening. It’s the birds chirping, flower’s blooming, and bee’s buzzing. It’s an excitement and anticipation even from the tree branches that won’t remain barren for much longer, just as with the flowers, and animals underfoot. In our house, it’s birthdays and parties, playdates, and family visits too. The spring changes are welcome, and glorious.

If you know me, you know that I’m constantly changing, improving, re-thinking, re “re-doing” my house. There isn’t a room in my house that remains the same each year. There is always something different. A better place for items, a de-cluttering, a purging… it all gives new vibes and new life. I’m always looking for ways to make our home better fit our needs and keep it fresh and happy. I’m always purging, letting go of, changing, re-vamping, organizing, and simplifying… and then I do it all again. Part of that is because our children outgrow things at expeditious speeds, and part of that is due to me being a bit obsessive about order and simplicity, but it always works for our good. The arrival of spring seems to be an invitation to make various changes, upgrades, downgrades, whatever the case may be with physical and emotional “stuff”.

It’s often a painstaking process to organize things, and I don’t mean just belongings. Trust me, have you ever had to go through toddler clothes and predict what they’ve outgrown or what might be used later? Especially living in Virginia where you have three seasons in one day? (Forget about getting them to try things on… but that’s another painful story.) The point is… often you have to make a BIG mess to make any progress of things. That isn’t untrue in our lives. Sometimes to make room for the new, you have to let go of the old, unfruitful baggage that weighs you down. Sometimes you have to make a big list of priorities, to find out what IS NOT on that list that you need to drop from your life. Sometimes… you have to make a big mess of a situation or circumstance before you can heal, move on, and gain freedom. Sometimes it’s just a big mess organizing closets, and sometimes, it’s a big mess organizing our lives. But it’s SO worth the payoff. Your efforts don’t go un-noticed when you accomplish whatever that task was at the beginning. In the end, you’re lighter, freer, happier (or maybe you’re just able to actually fit what you need in your pantry). Regardless… there’s more room to be YOU after you let go of the old, and decide to welcome the new.

There is such an anticipation with spring, the dried crunchy leaves have to go to make room for the new green growth that will sprout in their place. There is such a time for everything… (I’m one to love my cold winter days, snuggled up and cozy by the fire inside), but I’m also re-energized when the days begin lingering longer, the temperatures bring warmth, and the promise of new growth emerges everywhere around me.

This spring, I hope you spring forth new growth of your own. That you simplify, let go, and are able to choose to just be happier! Happy spring y’all!