Spring Refresh: Reclaim Your Energy, Style, and Social Life

When all of that shiny New Year momentum fades, and it always does around this time of year, I have learned not to panic. I no longer circle the drain while beating myself up about all the procrastination that somehow turned my well-planned calendar into mush. 

At my age, I know better than to push against the doldrums that come with rainy and cold days. I don’t overhaul my routines or set a new round of overly ambitious goals in an attempt to snap myself back into motion. Instead, I rely on something that is guaranteed to lift my spirits and jumpstart my motivation. 

I wait for spring.

When Momentum Slips, I Let the Season Lead

There is something about this shift in seasons that does what willpower alone rarely can. I wake up earlier when daylight is streaming through my window and the birds are singing their good morning songs. The world feels as if it is moving again, and almost without realizing it, I begin to move with it. I take a walk around the neighborhood, drive to the gym as the sun breaks the horizon, or unroll the yoga mat for a quick stretch session to start the day. Suddenly, I’m keeping all those promises I made to myself on December 31st. 

It Starts in My Closet

For me, a big part of letting spring inspire momentum happens in my closet. 

After months of heavier fabrics, darker tones, and endless layers of winter dressing, I find myself reaching for pieces that feel lighter, both literally and visually. My basic black turtleneck gives way to a classic white button up, and before I know it I feel like a new person. My legs come out from hiding, my arms once again see the light of day, and I find myself reaching for softer colors, fabrics that move, and silhouettes that offer freedom instead of warmth. It’s not about a seasonal wardrobe overhaul or chasing trends. It’s about peeling away layers, literally and figuratively. 

And for me, that shift matters.

A Return to What I Said I Wanted

Once I feel a bit more awake, a bit more like myself again, something else begins to come into focus. I start to think about the version of the year I had imagined back in January, when everything felt fresh and possible. I remember the intention I set, or simply the way I wanted my days to feel.

Spring, in this way, becomes less about starting over and more about returning to my dreams and desires. It offers a natural point of reentry, a moment to adjust course without drama, to pick up the thread of something that mattered (a health goal, a commitment to minimizing screen time, a long-imagined girls trip) and begin weaving it back into my daily life.

From there, the shift extends almost effortlessly into how I spend my time and who I spend it with. The same instinct that pulls me toward lighter clothing also pulls me outward, toward friends I haven’t seen in a while, toward fresh air, and toward experiences that feel expansive and fun. A lunch on a patio feels infinitely more appealing than another evening in. A walk with a friend becomes something to look forward to rather than another calendar entry.

I notice, too, that I become more selective in a way that feels healthy and authentic to me. The combination of renewed energy and clearer intention makes it easier to say yes to what feels right and just as easily decline obligations that don’t. 

The Gift of the Shift 

To me, the real gift of spring is the energy shift that comes automatically when the first daffodils sprout up in my front yard. As soon as I see them, I know that better, brighter, warmer days are right around the corner, and I always run out and gather the flowers into a vase before a sudden cold snap can shrivel their pretty blonde heads. 

I consider their appearance to be an invitation to remember my goals for the year, revisit my workout plan, open up my calendar for adventure, and start dressing with a bit more intention. Spring brings me back to a rhythm that feels both productive and enjoyable, one that rolls seamlessly into a summer that feels relaxed, authentic, and fully lived.

I’ve learned not to force momentum. I let the season do what it does best, and more often than not, it carries me exactly where I want to go.

If you’re craving more of this kind of inspiration—the kind that pulls you forward instead of pushing you—join me for Spark 60, a weekly dose of ideas for living with style, energy, and intention in this brilliant stage of life.