WELCOMING SPRING WITH 15 IDEAS TO COMBAT SPRING FATIGUE!

 Welcome Spring! We welcome thy beauty! We also fear thy evil twin- The Spring Fatigue. Like in a telenovela, one rarely comes without the other. Both are inevitable, so let's just welcome the first and try to manage the other until it perishes (in a slow motion) in a fatal car accident. That's what always happened in the Latin soap operas (i.e telenovelas) that were all the rave when I was a kid (and that are the reason why many Croatian people have a pretty good passive understanding of Spanish without even learning it in school, but I digress). 

My point is that the beautiful Spring often comes accompanied with Spring Fatigue that can range from mild tiredness to extreme exhaustion. I mean Spring Fatigue is sometimes impossible to avoid. I googled it as many times as I could, and besides the general advice (sleep, eat and exercise well and so on), I didn't really find too much useful information. I guess we all have to find our ways to take the bad with the good! 

To all of you suffering the Spring fatigue, I hear you. I suffer from an immune illness, so I REALLY hear you. Spring fills me with a mixture of gladness and apprehension. Happiness and fear, all rolled into one. The beauty of nature inspires me, but previous experience  Will I make out of it without being hospitalized? Will it be an enjoyable introduction into a hopefully equally or more enjoyable Summer or will it be a time of stress and dread?

After reading all the advice on combating Spring fatigue, I just came to conclusion I need to think of my own ways. All the articles I found on Spring fatigue seemed to be copied one from another. I mean saying that one should get eat healthy is kind of obvious. It's a general piece of advice that always comes in handy. However, I wanted something more specific. 

For some reason a lot of articles stressed on cold showers as a way of combating Spring fatigue.  That made me giggle. I have had to take some unvoluntary cold showers recently (because I forgot to turn on the boiler in the apartment I was staying in Split). Let me tell you these cold showers did nothing for me! They made my sinus infection, cold and headache so much worse. Don't you just hate when someone becomes popular and everyone raves about it. Sure, cold showers might be good for some, but they are not cure for all. Moreover, it's another general piece of advice. 

I was in search of something really Spring related and I didn't find it, so I made my own list of ideas to combat Spring tiredness. I'll share what I've come up with below. I'm not saying it's revolutionary or anything, but I think it might help me and hopefully someone else. If you have any tips or tricks, do feel free to share. 

HOW I PLAN TO COMBAT SPRING FATIGUE?

1. PRACTICING GRATITUDE EVERY DAY

How does one practice gratitude? I suppose there is a manner of ways to do, depending on your preference. You can do it via journaling, crafts or just by taking some time to gather your thoughts. It can be a part of an activity, or it can be an activity in itself. For religious or spiritually inclined practicing gratitude can often be combined with praying. For those non religious, the process is pretty much the same. You take come time to remind yourself of things to be grateful for. It can be a few minutes a day or just a minute. Those little moments can be extremely powerful. The key is to focus on the good in our live. I find this a lot better than 'manifestations' that are so popular today. Think about people in your life you are grateful for. Think about what they did and what they are still doing you for you. Think about things you're grateful for and the opportunities given to you. The opportunities you might have been taking for granted. If done well, practicing gratefulness can give us not only some inner peace, but inspire us. It can, for instance, inspire you to say 'thank you' to your loved ones more often, to show appreciation and to invest more in the aspects of your life that truly matter. Gratefulness also helps promote mindfulness. The two are intricately linked, one might say. 

2. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS 

Taking some time to practice mindfulness is on my list as well.  Sometimes it feels that we're losing this basic human ability to be present in the moment. I remember when (one May a couple of year ago), I was with adult students (who were French IT guys) and they just seemed very present in the moment. I remember thinking how I should be more like them. I guess they inspired me!

3. WRITING DOWN (OR REPEATING TO MYSELF) ALL THE THINGS I ENJOY DOING

Trying to make more times for things I love doing starts with acknowledging the things I love doing. So, that's what I plan to do. I plan to write down my favourite activities and projects. I also need to plan realistically and find the time when I can really sit down and write down these things! 

4. TRYING TO SET OUT REALISTIC TIME SLOTS FOR DOING ACTIVITIES I ENJOY

I shall try to be realistic with planning my free time activities. Sometimes we do need our rest. Sometimes seven hours of sleep must come before a fun activity. Sometimes we need to make quite a few adjustments to find time for that one activity/thing we love doing.  Our desires are one thing, but reality is another. When you're set on doing something, you have to be able to give up something else. Do you want to take on more work? Be ready to give up on 'me time' or 'social time'. Similarly, if you want to make sure, you're doing things you really enjoy, you have to be willing to give up on those activities you don't enjoy as much. Do you want to make time for a work out? Well, maybe you need to give up on TV or news or social media. Maybe all! In life, you have to be able to make decisions and stick by them. So, I guess I need to pin down the things that I can get rid of to make more room for things I genuinely love. 

5. WRITING DOWN THE THINGS I WANT TO DO PROFESSIONALLY

Let's not forget work. I plan to set aside some time for my professional life and plans. Spring can be a good time to look for new work opportunities. 

6. RESEARCHING SPRING ACTIVIES AND FINDING INSPIRATION

We really don't have to invent everything by ourselves. I do plan to look for inspiration online and everywhere where I can. I'm sure others have written long lists of spring activities and ideas, so why not make use of them. I might even go through my blog and look for inspiration. I know I had blogged about Spring activities a number of times. I'm very keen on DIY projects (as you might know)! So, I'll try to inspired, hoping that the newfound Spring inspiration will somehow help combat the seasonal tiredness.

7. GETTING EXCITED ABOUT SPRING CLEANING

Another thing I plan to do is fun spring cleaning. I mean spring cleaning is something that one must do, but I'll try to make it more fun. Maybe turn it into a project of some kind.  Try to use new cleaning methods or research more sustainable cleaning option. I mean I do my best to avoid chemicals, but more work can't hurt. In addition, I'll rethink all the benefits of spring cleaning, like for example getting enough exercise and enjoying some good music. Spring cleaning can also be an opportunity to practice gratefulness and even mindfulness. It can remind us of all the things we can and should be grateful about. 

8. USING SPRING CLEANING TO MEDITATE ABOUT LIFE AND CHANGES

I'll also try to use it to meditate upon my life a little bit, to think about the changes I want to do! 

9. DOING SOME INNER DECORATING AND TRYING MY HAND AT SEASONAL DECORATIONS, MAYBE DOING SOME GARDENING AS WELL

Cleaning often inspired a decorator in me. Trying new things can be a perfect way to combat tiredness. Decorating or just rearranging our furniture (introducing any kind of change in our homes) can be a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm finding inspiration in these previously published posts:

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/01/how-to-turn-jar-into-plant-container.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-to-handsew-barbi-dress-my-proposal.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/05/details-from-my-home-detalji-iz-moga_13.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-to-handpaint-plant-container-using.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/03/spring-is-cominga-sweater-with.html

10. TRAVELLING VIRTUALLY AND LOCALLY

I opted for local travel this year again because of number of reasons. I also plan to do some virtual travel. 

11. LISTENING TO MUSIC AND DANCING

Music is a part of my life, I simply cannot live without it. I'll try to use it to energize myself this Spring. 

12. TRYING OUT NEW THINGS AND FINDING WAYS TO BREAK THE ROUTINE

When you're feeling down, it helps to break the routine. That's something I'll try to plan for this Spring.

13. GETTING EXITED ABOUT SPRING FASHION, FINDING  JOY IN FASHION

Finally, I'll try to do some fun fashion projects. Seasonal activities can be a lot of fun. Fashion can be worked into most of these. Every day we must choose something to wear. So, why not make it fun! I have a fashion blog, so I don't think I'll struggle with this. I sort of mastered finding joy in fashion. 

I will be checking my old blog posts for fashion inspiration, for example these ones:

HOW TO STYLE DRESSES WITH BLAZERS FOR EARLY SPRING?, 

SPRING OUTFIT IDEAS  &  NAVY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR SPRING

14. BEING MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, EXERCISING AND HIKING MORE

There are many proven benefits to being physically active. I'll do my best to get back into shape!

15. FINDING TIME TO REST AND DO NOTHING

This is possibly the most important one. Without rest, we cannot hope to have energy for any Spring projects, ideas or activities. 

THE STORY OF MY OUTFIT

 HOW I WORE IT BEFORE?

SUSTAINABLE FASHION FILES

THE MIXED PRINT (ANIMAL PRINT AND STRIPES) DRESS- I have had this dress for about 10 years or so (if my blog is a reliable witness and it sort of is). One of the things I love about it is that it can be worn in all seasons. I do wear it in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I love layering it! I have obviously worn it  many times. How many? I haven't counted, but I plan to devote a special post to it some day and get a number of some kind. What I love about this mixed print dress is that it can be worn both casually and formally. For more formal occasions, just pair it with heels. I do like a dress that  can be so versatile. We all need dresses like that, don't you agree? 

LAST WORN HERE.

WORN ALSO :

MOSTAR OUTFITS 4 BEING A TOURIST -2021

EASY & COMFY AUTUMN OUTFITS- 2020

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER FROM ZAVALA- 2020

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN TRAVELLING ( A PRINTED DRESS AND SNEAKERS)- 2018

PEARL OF THE SEA (ANIMAL PRINT DRESS)- 2015

LET THERE BE COLOUR (MOSTAR) 2015

I WEAR MY PAINTINGS IN SPLIT- 2014

THE MUSTARD TOP- WORN HERE, AND HERE.

THE HIGH BROWN BOOTS- WORN HERE.

I HAVE ILLUSTRATED THIS PAIR OF BROWN BOOTS THREE TIMES! 

PREVIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED-  A LEATHER PAIR OF 

 HIGH BROWN BOOTS - HERE & HERE &HERE

So, basically this is what I plan to do to manage Spring Fatigue! What are your ideas? How do you fight the Spring Fatigue? Do you try to find ways to cheer yourself up? Do you take the time to rest? Do you combine different methods and activities?

* This post was originally written by me in English. I'm not responsible for any translation mistakes that can occur with automatical translation. I don't currently have the time to translate it to other languages I speak. If I ever translate this post in the future, I'll let you know (and I'll do it using a different fond, so you can see which one is translation). 

Thank you for visiting. Have a lovely day ahead!