After the year we’ve had, it’s understandable that we’re desperately grasping at any positivity (covid test aside) we can get our hands-on.
And we’re pleased to say that spring is officially on its way! Pack away your big coats and turn the heating down a notch, it's blooms and bunnies from here on out.
1. LIGHTER NIGHTS
Make the most of the longer days and take a stroll in the sunshine - especially now it’s light before 7am and well after 5pm – the world’s your oyster!
And for people affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) it’s a welcome relief from the long dark evenings. Why not mix up your routine? If you usually get out for a wander after work, try an early morning stroll to get you motivated and alert for the day ahead!
Date for the diary: Spring Equinox, Saturday 20 March – when the days and nights are almost equal lengths.
2. IN BLOOM
Goodbye to grey skies and gloomy gardens! In the next few weeks, we’ll start to see the lovely bright blooms of crocuses, daffodils, and tulips cheering up our roadsides, parks and gardens.
Alongside the spring classics, there’s also the lesser-known woodland flowers to look out for- from the easily recognisable bluebells to bright yellow, bell-shaped cowslips and early purple orchids.
When you’re out and about, take time to really notice your surroundings. If lockdown has given us anything (except for maybe an extensive knowledge of Netflix’s catalogue) it’s an appreciation of the little things. So next time you’re rushing to work or to pick up the essentials, make a conscious effort to see how many spring blooms you can spot.
3. IT'S HOTTING UP
It’s hard to get motivated for a walk when we can expect to be hit with an icy wind the second we step outside. And pottering around the garden when your fingers have turned to icicles is not for the faint-hearted.
Well, see you later Jack Frost, spring is on the way. We’ll be bouncing out of bed in the morning now we don’t have to have the minus temperatures to contend with.
4. SPRING CLEAN
Life’s all about celebrating the little wins. Whether it’s getting the bins out just in the nick of time, parallel parking perfectly on the first go or having just enough milk in for that much-needed afternoon brew – sometimes it’s enough to cheer you up on a bad day.
But for us, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of it finally being warm enough to hang your washing on the line. (It’s been a long lockdown.)
And with spring being all about new beginnings, and especially as most of us have a bit more time on our hands – now’s the perfect opportunity for a thorough spring clean. Get round to those jobs you’ve been putting off thanks to winter sapping your motivation.
5. WILDLIFE
From March, we’ll start to see the first few bees out after surviving the winter, enjoying the pollen from the spring flowers. The first bees we see in spring are often queens of the hive. We know gigs are cancelled at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we can’t see queen bee(yonce) in action.
Birds that have migrated for the winter will be on their way back. Fingers crossed for no post-Brexit border delays. Chiffchaffs are usually one of the first to arrive, recognisable by their call which sounds very much like their name.