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I always compare it to getting your driver’s license at age 17, at least in NJ – where I grew up. Now, you probably got through well over 16 years without too much trouble, but that last month or so before your 17th birthday is agonizing! It’s like you rue every day that you wake up and you’re 16, and you can’t yet get yourself from Point A to Point B. It’s the longest wait of life!

And speaking of stretching, it’s time for me (and maybe you?) to stretch, and stretch out of everything – our comfort zones, our winter ruts, and anything else we’re ready to kiss goodbye in honor of spring. Where I live, winter is so long that I get into a rut – it affects me socially, emotionally, financially, and all-around wellness-wise. However, I also get inspired by my ruts. Does that sound weird? Just as with the new year, spring is a time for me to do a full-out refresh, and get out of all potential ruts. You name it, and it’s probably happening. “The Refresh” – as I like to call it – is an Inside, Outside Spring Cleaning.

Time for a Beauty Refresh?
1 – Get a facial!
2 – Beauty is skin deep. Feed your body with plenty of water and leafy vegetables.
3 – You know what’s good for your skin? Sweat and sunscreen, but not always necessarily together!
4 – Try some bright lip color to brighten your face for a new season.
5 – Use a facial cleansing brush to “brush off” the drab of winter.
Time for a Fitness Refresh?
1 – Set a new goal for spring/summer. Maybe sign up for a race or challenge of some sort?
2 – Try a new thing! Take a new class, try out a new gym, or try out a new machine at the gym.
3 – Clean out your gym bag and start fresh.
4 – Get up earlier. There’s a lot of world to roam before the sun, the kids, and the heat rise!
5 – Know your numbers. Get your annual physical at the doctor, dentist, etc. and get physical assessments at your gym.
*Enlist a friend/ally/spouse to help!
Time for a Home Refresh?
1 – Let light in! Nothing is better after a long winter, because we all know that more sunshine can improve our mood and all-around health. An important task of spring cleaning is to clean your windows inside and out! Or hire it out if it’s too hard. You can also brighten up your wall with a new coat of paint or add new art to add new perspective to your space. Another way to spread light in a space is to add mirrors. Try using a large mirror above the sofa to make light bounce around the room and make it look airy and spacious. Or, whilst perhaps an extreme idea, maybe you could look to move completely and starting afresh somewhere else. Don’t forget to check your home security arrangements are still fit for purpose too – Spring is a great time to look at everything afresh. For some suggestions of what to consider, check out the guides over at Locksmiths of London.
2 – Start with a good surface cleaning – vacuuming, dusting, polishing, etc. You can check out TikTok’s biggest cleaning trends, which may provide inspiration for your home refresh. Then, check out your bathroom to give it a refresh too. Change the shower curtain, add a few plants, a scented candle, and change light bulbs if needed. These simple steps can unexpectedly do wonders.
3 – Get rid of your winter gear! Banish it to the basement and attic! (my favorite part). Wash your heavy blankets, quilts, and comforters. Dry clean your winter coats and chunky sweaters. While you’re doing this, consider checking your closet and consider donating clothing for a new start.
4 – Check your pantry for some things that may need disposing of. Consider giving this space a thorough cleaning. Then, restock your fridge, pantry and fruit bowls with fresh spring produce.
5 – Add plants and succulents to your home. There’s simply no better way to embrace the coming of spring than with plants and flowers. A few of these plants can easily add life into empty corners. Consider replacing accents, décor, and books to give them a touch of spring.
*If you have a garden, start those early tasks. If you don’t, consider planting one of any size! Consider starting your own spring vegetable garden by starting them from seeds or buying seedlings from the nearest garden supplies store.
Time for a Wardrobe Refresh?
1 – Wear white or off-white! Mix and match your favorite separates for a wardrobe refresh for spring.
2 – Add new colors to your wardrobe. Also consider incorporating them into your lipstick, nail polish, jewelry, scarves, etc.
3 – Be creative and find new ways to wear old clothes. Tie your shirts for a more cropped and fitted look. Wear a skinny belt around a dress? Wear a winter sweater, but with a skirt instead of jeans. Add layers to a summer dress.
4 – Add a light scarf or bright accessories to any outfit!
5 – Mix patterns and prints to stand out in a crowd! (my 7-year-old does this exquisitely)
Time for a Wellness/Soul Refresh?
1 – Try a new vegetable each week! Plant a garden or join a CSA for a bonus. PS. It is a good idea to involve your kids in this as well – if they are not up to the age of eating solids yet, make sure to provide them with the very best nutrition.
2 – Go to sleep an hour earlier each night, and stretch right when you wake up each morning.
3 – Ease your stress-load and find time to lie in a hammock, read, or lie on the couch for a sunbath through the window.
4 – Take a new class! What fancies you? Cooking? Knitting? Farming? Writing?
5 – Have a daily feel-good ritual, like a good afternoon tea.
And that’s where Bigelow Tea Benefits come in! I like them in Sleep Chamomile and Lavender Herbal Tea – a calming, full-bodied floral lavender flavor with a sweet chamomile finish. Also, I love Stay Well – Lemon and Echinacea Herbal Tea – Authentic Echinacea and crisp lemon flavor with a smooth, relaxing herbal finish. I also adore Balance – Cinnamon and Blackberry Herbal Tea – Sweet and spicy cinnamon top notes with a smooth balanced sweet and tart finish.

I use Bigelow Tea Benefits to help keep a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle. They are everyday teas that fuel our bodies with good-for-you ingredients that help us define the lives we want to live. They also taste fabulous to boot!
This new line of tea – designed to support everyday wellness – is here to taste fabulous and help support your well-being. These seven new teas combine premium quality, all-natural herbs traditionally thought to ease the everyday issues in uncommonly delicious ways. They complement Bigelow Tea’s 130+ specialty teas – that have been delighting tea lovers for over 70 years! They are imaginative and flavorful – blended and produced in the USA. Are you as excited as I am?
Which to try first?

You know I love this! I am so glad that it is finally SPRING! I think we are officially done with the snow as well! YAY!
It snowed in Canada two days ago! And even though I’m like six weeks late to comment here, I’m still waiting impatiently for spring!! So yay!
All I know is I am with Echo and just happy it is officially spring on the calendar as you know I am truly not a fan of winter in any way, shape or form!
No! Are you getting this gloom we’re getting in MAY? I cannot handle it!
As you probably already know, it’s summer over here but we still have occasional rains. When I think of spring, I really think of new beginnings. Great tips you have. Also, I really want to transition into drinking tea. Been writing about it on my client’s website and now I’m even more interested.
Occasional rains. Sigh. That sounds fine! It’s hard to find that in-between. We either have a drought or too much rain.
I’m sitting in my bed drinking tea and catching up on my favorite blogs. I was so excited to see a nice glass of tea and a scrumptious looking jelly biscuit once your page loaded. I’ve been drinking Bigelow Tea for ages, I love their new packaging. I need the Stay Well Tea, I’m always looking for ways to enhance myself, can you believe I’ll be 35 this year? I surly can’t 🙂
Mm.. jelly biscuits. That just sounds magical. Bigelow really rocks. My husband drank all three packages so I have to go refill!
(I’m 36 so 35 sounds believable!)
Those are all really great tips and I just love Bigelow Tea. I’m all about wardrobe refreshes in the spring too. Nothing like getting over winter and just being brand new in the spring like blooming flowers.
We’re still sort of waiting for the warmth to hit us and STAY, but the flowers are blooming! It’s so good.
I am in need of a spring reboot! I’m due with my 4th child in 5 weeks, so I’m hoping I can knock out some of this list before then! 🙂 Beautiful photos, as always. PS My favorite of the Benefits teas to try is Balance. Looks delicious! #client
Wow! I didn’t know! It’s been awhile since this post and maybe the baby is already there, but congrats! I have two but I like even numbers so I told my husband if we have a third, we have to have a fourth!
P.S. My husband drank ALL the tea.
So baby #4 is here! He was born on Cinco de Mayo (one week ago!) and we are now settling in at home. His name is Crosby and he’s a little love bug. I’m with you on the even numbers! 🙂
Ahh! Congrats!! Happy One Week! I love the name Crosby.
I’m loving all of these refreshes! And those Bigelow teas, especially the one for sleep, are looking really good. Love that photo of Des too.
Cassidy uses them for sleep and swears by them!
I DO love me some bigelow tea! I need to try all of these flavors though! I am a tea girl at heart. It’s hard when the world is made of coffee lovers, but we tea lovers are just as cool too. 🙂
I’m more of a coffee lover, but Bigelow is where I draw the line! I like it!
You have so many fun ideas, and I’m always looking for new tea to try 🙂
I can’t believe you’re not already hooked on this! It’s awesome!
This tea looks great. Spring in the desert means hotter temperatures are coming our way. Still trying to relish the cool nights. . .
I think I need to live there to appreciate here more, but I’m always hoping for less rain and more sun and heat!
I love all the Bigelow Benefits teas! I have 3 of them in my tea drawer right now!
I had three, and then my husband used all three boxes! So uncool!
The picture with Dez and the flower!!
I NEED to try these Bigelow teas!! I haven’t seen them yet, but I’m certainly on the look out. Thank you for sharing.
XOXO
Isn’t that photo the best? He melts my heart!!
My husband only drinks tea – looks like some good new flavors. I need a lot of spring refreshing!
I feel like spring still hasn’t really gotten here, although I know I’m wrong. It snowed near here on Sunday!
What a lovely family 🙂