Well the UK weather may still be rather topsy turvy (it literally felt like it could’ve been January a couple of days ago!) but now that it’s May I think we have to finally start believing it’s Spring right?! I am determined to embrace spring in my life right now and hopefully the weather will follow my lead.
Oasis Fashion have just launched a brand new Collection of Homeware all featuring gorgeous spring floral prints that the brand have become known for. I was kindly sent over the Ava Duvet Set which is 100% cotton and printed with brightly coloured flowers, birds & butterflies on a white background. On the reverse is a dreamy duckegg blue colour. I also got the matching Ava Cushion which has the same floral print with an adorable little ladybird in the centre and the duckegg blue on the reverse side. To contrast I also got their Heart Boudoir Cushion which is a rectangular shape with a geometric heart print and tiny black fringing around the edge. I think that one is my favourite! Everything is beautiful quality and feels very luxurious.
I feel like it’s really refreshed my bedroom and got me in the mood for Spring! With that in mind it inspired me to create a post about all things that can make me feel Spring ready and motivated. So here are 10 things you can do to get you prepped for the new season.
1. Switch Over Your Wardrobe | This is definitely my favourite thing about the change of season. It is currently grey & chucking it down with rain outside but I have faith that the good weather is coming! I love putting away my big coats and jumpers until next winter and bringing out my summer dresses and sandals. I don’t think I’m alone in doing this (correct me if I’m wrong though!) I have so many clothes now that they don’t all fit in my wardrobe at once so I have to do a seasonal swap over. It’s also a great opportunity to get rid of or sell anything you no longer wear or anything that just doesn’t make you feel good anymore!
2. Clear Your Clutter | I think this is most definitely the main piece of my own advise I need to take! Our homes, cars and work spaces can easily build up with things we don’t need. A thorough sort out and throw out session can be very therapeutic – “tidy home, tidy mind” as the saying goes! Be honest and ask yourself questions like - when am I ever going to use this? How many of the clothes in your wardrobe do you actually wear and how many times in the last year have I used this? Donate to charity, selling things online or just make a big trip to the tip. Be ruthless and you’ll feel better for it!
3. Freshen Up Your Home With New Accessories | Having got rid of your clutter you can now look at adding a few new pieces to your home to give it a little bit of an update and refresh! Now I’m not talking about big expensive pieces of furniture, just a couple of new accessories will do the trick. Some wall prints, lamps or throws are always good but my favourite thing to add are cushions. Oasis have lots of gorgeous vibrantly printed designs to match their new bedding collection that will liven up your home for Spring/Summer - take a look at them here.
4. Organise Your Diary | For me personally, having an organised life helps my mind to feel calmer as I know where I am and I can be prepared. Essential when you have chronic health problems! Whether you prefer paper planners, bullet journals are good, or keep everything in your phone - set aside a couple of hours to re-organise all your plans, dates, notes and lists. You’ll then know where you are and feel a great sense of pride once you’ve got everything sorted for the next month or so.
5. Revamp Your Fitness Routine | Creating a new exercise plan is a way to feel stronger and gain more energy. I personally like to go to the gym as I can do my own thing depending on how I’m feeling health wise and I don’t have to worry about trying to keep up with anyone else in classes. Everyone’s different though and the main thing is find something you actually enjoy doing so you'll be more likely to workout regular as consistency is key. As well as the sense of achievement and of course keeping in shape, the endorphins boost will help keep stress at bay (like I mentioned in my Coping with SAD post here). Make a schedule and see if you can get a routine going.
6. Start Eating Healthier | To go hand in hand with your new fitness regime, eating healthier will make you feel more energised. Spring is the time where a huge variety of fresh fruit and vegetables are coming into season so it’s a great time to add some new things into your daily meals. Also make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day. Even just a few small changes & healthier choices when you’re eating out can make the world of difference to how you feel!
7. Create A List Of Goals | One of my favourite things to do is create as list of goals! It all started when I was in hospital throughout my teens and I’d make lists with certain medical professionals and they were mostly health & physio orientated goals. Nowadays I usually make my lists at the beginning of the year and then I keep adding to it throughout or I sometimes do monthly ones. Whether it’s big goals like travelling to a certain place, learning a new skill or saving up for something or smaller goals like going for a walk each day or seeing your friends more. I find it’s a really positive way of helping to keep me focused and motivated!
8. Set Yourself A Budget | There’s something immensely satisfying about checking your balance at the end of the month, and seeing that you’ve got some cash to spare. Whether you’re saving for a holiday, car or a special occasion (or in my case a new laptop!) it’s always nice to have some extra money. Write down what you want to save money for and how much you’ll need. Think of one or two small things you can save on. Something that you spend on a regular basis such as a daily coffee or juice and instead make it at home and put it in a travel cup. Actively put that money you would’ve spent aside and see how quickly that mounts up! I’ve heard people do this after they’ve quit smoking or alcohol and marvel at the amount of money they have to spare afterwards.
9. Clear Unnecessary Data & Apps From Your Phone | This is a good one as my phone was constantly running out of storage before I bought my new one and we all know that the “not enough storage” alert is the most frustrating thing! Now, even though I have plenty of space I still like to try and clear it on a regular basis to avoid things from building up. I’m such a one for keeping every single old photo (mostly of my cat!), video, screenshot, boomerang &email etc. in case I need them or just want to look at them at a later date! They all take up a crazy amount of storage though & the best idea is to just take some time, and go through and DELETE all that stuff you don’t need. Move the files over to your computer, external hard drive or just delete them altogether. The spring 2018 you will love all the extra space and you can start making some new memories!
10. Unplug & Practice Mindfulness | We’re all constantly on our screens & technology these days, and I’ll admit I’m one of the worst examples with this - my job being based around all that! However it can be seriously stressful and over stimulating on your brain and I think it’s important to have some time away from it each day especially before bed. It can help you to feel more productive and massively boost your mood! I find relaxing really hard particularly as I have chronic pain. Some ways I like to unwind include: listening to music: try creating a chill out playlist, putting down my phone, snuggles with my cat (pets are supposed to help calm and reduce blood pressure) and I enjoy having a pamper night with a face mask or painting my nails. Any kind of self care like that can give you a boost. There are some Meditation and Mindfulness Apps available if they would suit you. I found a really good article detailing the best ones here. I’m going to try out The Mindfulness App I think.
Let me know if you found these tips useful and whether you'll be using any of them!
*This post contains PR samples however all opinions as always are my own, please see my Disclaimer for details.
