5 Self-Care Goals for Spring

I’ve found that taking the time to set self-care goals each season, while incorporating them into my daily and weekly routine, allows me to be the best version of myself in both my work and personal life. With both mental and physical wellness playing an important factor in my everyday happiness, I’ve realized self-care goes far beyond consistent workouts, eating clean, or taking bubble baths every week. To me, practicing self-care means stepping outside of my comfort zone, doing more of what makes me happy, and letting go of the things that don’t.

After recently getting off track with my self-care routine (I’ll blame it on the snow!), I decided it was time to hit my reset button and set some new goals. Today, I’m sharing my personal wellness goals for the spring season and hoping to inspire you to do the same!

1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night

Something that I’ve been struggling with for a few months now, is getting enough sleep. I’ve always been one to make sure I’m getting at least 7+ hours, but as of lately it’s been difficult. I find myself on technology more than needed before bed and I know this is definitely a contributing factor to the poor sleep I get. My goal is to try unplugging an hour before bed and pick up a book or watch a movie instead. (Which brings me to my next goal!)

2. Read more books

I have been compiling a large reading list for this spring and summer and I’m still on the lookout for other good recommendations. (Feel free to drop any suggestions below!) My goal is to read more self-development books and not the Harry Potter books on repeat, ha! Some of the books I have on my list are, The Little Book of Lykke, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote of Chaos, The Road Back to You, and The Universe has your Back.

3. Incorporate more plants into my meals

One of my good friends just recently switched over to a vegetarian diet, and she’s been telling me how it’s significantly changed her life as far as gut health and feeling more energized. I’ve been reading the novel How Not to Die, by Michael Greger, and it has given me a new perspective on what I put in my body (seriously, a must-read!). I know that I could never be vegan because of my love for cheese and a whole lot of other things that I don’t find worth giving up, but I plan to make it a priority to experiment with more plant-based recipes and grocery shop more consciously this spring. I just bought Love Real Food by Cookie and Kate, and I love it so far! It’s full of amazing vegetarian recipes.

4. Simplify, simplify, simplify

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you’ve most likely seen my posts on my capsule wardrobe challenge last fall. Simplifying my clothes to 32 pieces showed me a lot about what I actually need in my closet. When I finished the three month capsule, I literally forgot what I had gotten rid of and what was put away in storage. I got rid of everything that I had stored away, and cut down my 32-piece wardrobe as well. I will admit that I do need to refresh a few cardigans and tanks for when summer comes, but life has been so much easier sticking to simple staples! This spring I’m hoping to continue to simplify and donate items that serve no purpose for me. Keeping things simple and getting rid of that extra baggage brings more happiness than I thought possible. If you’re looking for more simplifying inspiration in your life, check out these couple of blogs and posts that I follow who love simplifying as much as I do: Samantha Elizabeth, Un-fancy, and Fresh Exchange.

5. Live more in the present

I feel like I’m always planning my next step in life and am constantly worrying about what’s happening in the future. I know that when I look back to these years of living at home and in the same town as most of my best friends, I will look at this moment as a blur – a time that went by too fast. In the meantime, I’m trying to carve out more time to spend with my family and close friends while appreciating what’s happening today vs. what will be happening in the next year or so.

Whether you’re setting new goals for the spring, or still sticking to your New Year resolutions, here’s to us for practicing self-care and learning to love ourselves a little bit more this season.

XO

Flower photo provided by Emma Tembreull (-et Images)