Spring Preview: How the Season of Renewal Can Refresh Your Mind
How to welcome spring with fresh spaces, blooming gardens, and meaningful connections.
Feb 23, 2025
Written by our Founder and CEO, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.
As winter begins petering out, I find myself eagerly searching for the first signs of spring: A crocus pushing through the last stubborn patch of snow, tiny buds popping up on tree branches, or the first chirps of birds returning from their winter retreat.
Even the temperature teases us. Experiencing one unseasonally warm day before slipping back into winter’s grasp is a subtle reminder that change is near. With spring less than a month away, I can already sense the transformation with a renewed feeling of purpose and possibility taking root.
Spring is a season of preparation, when nature wakes up, and in many ways, so do we. Just as we swap heavy coats for lighter jackets and crack open the windows to let in the crisp air, it’s also the perfect time for a little spring cleaning. We clear out clutter, freshen up our homes, and reset our spaces, all in the spirit of welcoming a fresh start.
But it’s also more than just tidying up. It invites us to reset — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a reminder that new beginnings are always within reach.
Reconnecting and rejuvenating
As I mentioned last week, winter takes a toll on our mental well-being. Seasonal Affective Disorder — also known as the “winter blues” — is real, with cold weather and shorter days keeping us indoors and dragging down our moods.
One of the best ways to shake off that funk is to prepare for spring. A great place to start is by making a to-do list or setting goals. For me, reconnecting with others is always high on that list.
I think about the Christmas cards I mailed three months ago. When was the last time I checked in with those loved ones? I keep email and text lists of family, friends, and colleagues (both past and present) and as spring begins, I make it a point to reach out, wish them well, and see how they’re doing.
Spring is also a great time to revisit those New Year’s resolutions. Are they still top of mind or have they been buried under daily routines? Maybe you set a goal to exercise more, read more books, or finally start that passion project. If winter threw you off track, spring offers a fresh start — a second chance to realign with your goals.
Psychology Today notes that spring is an even better time to tackle resolutions than January. During winter, we naturally turn inward, while spring encourages us to look outward and embrace change. The article suggests a few simple ways to make those goals stick, including writing them down and tracking their progress, building a support system, and celebrating small wins.
Reengaging with our communities
Before too long, parks and sidewalks will come alive with joggers, parents pushing strollers, and kids zipping by on scooters. (Remember your helmets, kids.) Neighbors who spent months bundled up indoors will find themselves lingering over fences, catching up on everything they missed during the cold months.
Farmers markets will reawaken with fresh produce and friendly chatter, local events will draw excited crowds, and outdoor cafés will hum with laughter and conversation. There’s something special about sharing a meal under the open sky, feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin, and simply seeing the world in front of you.
The final days of February offer the perfect opportunity to start planning how you’ll embrace your community in the new season. Now’s the time to map out weekend adventures, plan your garden, or sign up for a spring race. A little preparation now can help you make the most of the season ahead.
SAD and shifts in our circadian rhythm
While we anticipate spring in all its glory, it’s also important to acknowledge that seasonal transitions aren’t always easy. Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 5% of adults in the U.S., with more than twice as many experiencing milder symptoms. And while spring is often seen as a time of renewal, the change itself can feel overwhelming.
One major disruptor is the time change in March when we lose an hour of sleep. (Daylight saving time starts Sunday, March 9, by the way.) This seemingly small shift can throw off our circadian rhythm — the internal clock that regulates sleep, mood, and overall well-being. Studies show that even a single hour of lost sleep can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and an increased risk of heart-related issues in the following days. Some people feel out of sync for weeks as their bodies struggle to adjust.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, you can ease the effects of these disruptions by making a few simple adjustments like limiting caffeine and alcohol and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule to help your body maintain a steady rhythm.
Though sometimes challenging, the transition to spring is still an opportunity. Just like nature, we, too, have a chance to bloom and grow.
All the best,
Jim
Explore Popular Celebrations Pulse Topics
AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder, CEO, and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.
