Raise your hand if you've been guilty of letting a few things slip over the past year. But with everything that's been going on, who could blame you?
Fortunately, spring has finally sprung, and with it comes the opportunity for a fresh start. Traditionally celebrated as a season of rebirth and renewal, spring is a time that provides new hope, especially to the weary. And with a year of isolation and social distancing behind us and an unpredictable future ahead, we're in desperate need of some positive vibes.
If you're ready to refresh your outlook, we've compiled a few suggestions to help you on your way. From your closets to your mindset, we're helping you welcome spring with open arms.
1. Reset Your Resolve
Did you make New Year's resolutions that didn't quite get off the ground? Don't worry; it's not too late to restart. Spring is an ideal time to renew the commitment to your resolutions or figure out a new way to see your plans through. Here's how to get started:
- Revisit your resolution. Decide if it's something you still want to do as is or if you're going to tweak it slightly to make it more achievable. Write it out to remind and encourage you.
- Don't be vague. Set a specific goal with a measurable outcome. For example, "I want to lose 20 pounds."
- Celebrate small steps. Break down your goal into smaller, attainable steps. Cross them off one by one and pat yourself on the back when you complete them.
- Seek help. You don't have to go it alone. Turn to trusted friends, mentors, coaches, or interest groups with the same goals to support and hold you accountable.
- Be patient with yourself. It takes time and commitment to achieve your goals. Allow that there will be some good days and some not so good. But either way, trust that you can get it done.
2. Revamp Your Hairstyle
Your hair has suffered enough! Between hats, wigs, headbands, and scarves, your hair was easy enough to put out of sight and out of mind during those harsh winter months.
Now that spring is in bloom, take your hair out of hiding. But before you do, make sure it's in tip-top shape. Here's a few tips on how to pamper your hair and make up for those months of neglect.
- Try a pre-poo. Pre-poos are an excellent way to prep your hair for wash day. They defend against moisture loss, frizz, tangles, and damage, and they will leave your hair feeling softer and more manageable.
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Ditch drying shampoos full of harsh chemicals. Opt for shampoos designed to care for our fragile curls.
- Reestablish a deep conditioning routine. Regular deep conditioning treatments are one of the best things you can do for your hair. While you may have fallen off the wagon, it's never too late to get back on.
Express yourself with a new style
With your hair prepped and primed, experiment with new styles that will turn heads this spring.
- For natural hair, we know twists and braids are an easy go-to. But why limit yourself? There's a world of natural styles to discover. Why not try a chic updo, a dramatic faux hawk, a tapered ‘fro, stylish Bantu knots, or play with temporary dye or wax to achieve a look that's all your own.
- Transform your hair with a fresh sew-in or wig that will give you the ultimate in versatility, style, and freedom. Create a beautiful look with one of our popular textures; try fun and flirty with a Body Wave or Loose Wave, or keep it sleek and sexy with a Straight style. Check out our Shop by Look page for some more inspiration.
3. Refresh Your Makeup
Nothing lasts forever, and that's especially true for makeup.
Not only is it unhygienic to hang on to old makeup and tools, why would you want to? With the makeup industry consistently churning out fresh products and new offerings, there's no need to reuse makeup that's seen better days.
Spring is the perfect time to lighten up your makeup palette, experiment with bright colors, and find your unique look. Some makeup trends you may want to try this spring include dewy skin, bold colors, smokey eyes and dark lips, and colorful mascara.
Check out these Black-owned brands for new spring collections and makeup inspiration.
· Beauty
· Fenty
4. Reenergize Your Mind + Body
How about recommitting to yourself this spring? With more emphasis than ever placed on mental and emotional wellness last year, why not keep the focus on your well-being. Self-care is one of the best ways to manage stress and increase happiness. Here are a few activities to add to your daily routine.
- Make exercise part of your life. Find an activity that you enjoy to relieve stress and improve your mood.
- Explore nature. Take a walk outdoors, go for a hike, or sit in your backyard and watch the sunset. A breath of fresh air can quickly uplift your spirits.
- Make time for yourself. Read a book, listen to music, enjoy a long bath, dance—do whatever brings you joy and peace and whatever you can fit into your day.
- Be mindful. Yoga, meditation, and prayer are all activities that can improve your mindfulness and help you stay connected to your inner self.
- Connect with friends and family. During these isolating times, it's easy to hide away. Don't! Make reaching out to friends and family a regular activity to lift their spirits as well as your own.
- Seek help. If you feel that your problems or emotions are more than you can handle, don't be afraid to look for help—research therapists and groups that can give you the support you need.
5. Revitalize your home
You can't have spring without spring cleaning. But it's a big job, and sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to start. No worries, we've got you covered.
- Gather all your materials. Ensure you have all the cleaning products, tools, and storage solutions (baskets, organizers, bins) you will need on hand.
- Have a plan. The more organized you are, the faster and more efficiently you can get through it.
- Realize that you can't do it all in one day. Designate 1-2 days per room to get the job done.
- Start from the smallest rooms in your house (closets, bathrooms) and work up to larger, more cluttered areas (bedrooms, living areas, kitchen)
- Use the four bin technique to declutter. Label your bins Keep, Toss, Store, Donate/Sell. As you go through items in your room, designate them to a bin. When you're done with each room, empty the bins. Place items in a designated storage area, throw them away, accumulate them to donate or sell, or put misplaced items back where they belong.
- Set your mindset. You can approach decluttering in a few different ways. The Marie Kondo method tells us to lead with the heart and determine if the item sparks joy. Other methods ask you to be critical and ruthless when deciding whether to keep or discard items. Choose a way that works best for you and go for it.
Are you ready to get started? You can do all of the activities on our list or pick and choose what feels right to you. Either way, these suggestions will help get you revved up and ready for the months ahead.
