Slipping Into Spring - Simple Ideas to Help Us Out of the Winter Blues

Slipping Into Spring - Simple Ideas to Help Us Out of the Winter Blues
By Dana Plazyk

Ditching the winter blues may not be as easy this year as in years past…especially after watching neighbors, family members, or perhaps ourselves struggle with staying afloat financially, job searching or wondering what your future holds for 2009 and beyond.

There are many cost-effective yet soul-soothing actions you can take around your home to make the transition from winter to spring a smooth and enjoyable trip and put contribute to a positive spin on outlooks.

Number one is to acknowledge and embrace the health and happiness that is all around you. Celebrate the positive instead of dwelling in the negative.

Changes in your home such as a fresh coat of paint will literally make your home feel “brand new”. Paint performs a miracle in transforming a room’s warm and receptive qualities. Windows can also benefit from light neutral shades, which will allow the most light to reflect into a room.

Moving furniture also has a “start over” kind of effect. You’ve seen it in home decorator magazines and TV shows…a few changes in furniture placement and picture groupings can definitely make a huge difference in the flow and energy of a room. Don’t be stuck thinking that the candelabra or vase that has sat on your mantel for years wouldn’t look fabulous as a coffee table centerpiece! You can even try reading online or purchase a book about the Chinese art of Feng Shui, which deals with how to achieve balance in each room through object placement.

After you’ve rediscovered your living room, have a picnic (minus the ants, of course)! Use all the trimmings–blanket, basket, plastic utensils, and a healthy lunch…and don’t forget friends and family.

Real plants not growing yet? Opt for their silk counterparts! Lush green plants and spring blooms give us the impression of change and growth. What better way to bring these emotions into your home than with Nature? Most silks available nowadays are so lifelike, that you might even fool people into thinking you have a greenhouse out back! Your bonus? No maintenance with the exception of an occasional dusting.

Change your daily routine by exercising in the morning rather than the evening or vice-versa. Do something different with your hair. Don’t be afraid to wear a pair of earrings that you normally save for a special occasion. Look in fashion magazines to see how you could pair pieces of clothing you wouldn’t have thought of before. Be adventurous!

Sometimes getting outside of your comfort zone is the best way to discover new things about yourself and the world around you. Little steps out of the winter blues will make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and the world around you. The only thing left to do is to take action!

Dana Plazyk loves creativity and enjoys writing about it. Creativity touches our lives in many different ways–creative thoughts not only result in fabulous pieces of art, but also shape our lives to help us make the most out of them. You can follow Dana on http://www.twitter.com/DanaPlazyk or visit her website at http://www.flowers-by-design.com

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