Spring is here - It's time to lighten up!

Isn't it lovely when the clocks go forward? Well ok not immediately as "loosing" an hour isn't ideal, but now that we are over the struggle of Monday morning isn’t it glorious to have a longer evening?

So to welcome more light to our evenings this blog is about Lightening up - in more ways than one.

Lighten up physically.
Summer (and hopefully warmer weather) is just round the corner so I’m reminded to shed the winter pounds. Don't wait until June to lighten up physically! If you're feeling sluggish and still carrying the excess from a few too many Easter Eggs carpe diem! With lighter evenings there's no excuse for not taking a brisk walk after work to burn off a few extra calories. Just 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back will make all the difference.

Lighten the emotional load
If you’ve been feeling like work or your to do list, or your life in general is getting on top of you already this year, then you can lighten that load too. Maybe I’m a little old fashioned but Spring cleaning comes to mind. Now bear with me, you may think I’ve gone a little mad when you’ve got enough on your plate, why would you want to be dashing round with a duster? But there is method in my madness. The principle is this and it follows the law of correspondence, which in it’s simplest interpretation means “As within so without”. Our external world (the environment, people etc) is a reflection of our inner world. If you want to feel clearer, less burdened, with less emotional “baggage”, it makes sense to clear out the physical stuff. 

Where to start
You don’t have to do it all at once. I would recommend starting in the bedroom after all you spend a great deal of time there and to get the most of your day it’s worth getting a good nights sleep.

Start by clearing the surfaces, especially anything dumped on top of cupboards or wardrobes or under the bed. Bag it, bin it, dust it, take it to charity, whatever you need to do to create a clear and tranquil space do it. Then if you’re feeling inspired you can move onto the wardrobes and drawers. With new spring fashions in the shops, it’s a great time to clear out clothes and send them to the charity shop.

When I’ve finished a good spring clean I open the windows in the room in question, burn some lovely refreshing essential oil such as lemon, rosemary or bergamot and spend a few moment in the clean and clear space setting my intent for it. It really lightens up stagnant energy and you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make to the feel of your home.

Lighten up your work.
What can you do to bring more fun to your work?
One of my faves it to wear slipper to the office. I’ve got big pink fluffy monster feet slippers so it makes me feel slightly ridiculous wearing them to do my accounts – perfect!
Install juggling balls, where I used to work, whenever we needed a boost of energy or creativity we would juggle – albeit badly – so my juggling balls have come with me.

Lighten up your colour pallet
Colour psychology is hugely powerful. There’s no need to keep yourself in muted autumn hues, or the stark black of winter – make a statement, lift your mood and your wardrobe with an injection of fabulous colour and notice what a difference it makes to your outlook.

Lighten up yourself
My final thought is perhaps the most applicable to all of us – whatever we do. I was reminded the other day about a fabulous book I read some years ago "The Art of Possibility" by Benjamin Zander. I can highly recommend it not least for Rule number 6. Read the book and you'll know what I mean.

Comments

[Leda]

Elizabeth, this is a great article. You have some very innovative suggestions particularly the one about using essential oils to cleanse stale air and the benefits of juggling balls. Am now about to check out the Benjamin Zander book. Are you planning to post a picture of the monster slippers? I dare you!!

[josumner]

Thanks for this timely ;-) reminder re lightening up, Elizabeth. On the food front, there is an added bonus to making the change - in yoga we talk about recognising the three core energies of the universe and how to work with them to create as much light, clarity, and contentment as possible in our lives. One way to do this is to eat foods that promote this light energy (called Sattva, or if your prefer Swan Energy). Sattvic foods nourish the body and calm the mind. They include cereals, peas, beans, seeds, nuts, fresh fruit, veg, honey, wholemeal bread, milk, butter, cheese and herb teas. They are fresh and clean, rich in nutrients, organic where possible, and raw or lightly cooked only. They promote a good pH balance and help us feel full of health and vitality. As an added bonus they make the most superbly colourful array - in fact, if you've ever seen one of Gillian Mckeith's You are what you eat banquet tables, that's what it looks like. And at this time of year, it's easy to look at all those lovely, juicy colours and forms and think YUM!