Spring Clean Your Life This March Equinox

Everybody has heard the term ‘Spring clean’, whether they mean it literally or figuratively; Spring is the perfect time to have a clear out and a spruce up of not only your home, but also your life! At this time of year things start to look a lot brighter which makes us feel more optimistic; the sun makes us cheerful, and when we’re happy, we are more likely to make positive, healthy choices to improve things for ourselves.

What is the March Equinox?

The March Equinox celebrates the changing of the seasons and is the official beginning of Spring. The term Equinox derives from the Latin ‘aequus’ (equal) and ‘nox’ (night). At 16:57 GMT on March 20th, the Earth’s orbit around the sun and the tilt of its axis will combine to give the Northern and Southern hemispheres the equal amount of light, and from this moment on, the days will be longer and the nights shorter.

The Spring Equinox also marks the beginning of a new astrological year, as the sun enters Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. This new year and the beginning of Spring, is the perfect time for fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s an opportunity to pause and take a moment to contemplate ourselves and all areas of our lives, whether it’s our career, our health, our ambitions, or our relationships, both platonic and romantic. Taking some time to really consider where we are and how things are going gives us the opportunity to see what is going well for us, and which things we need to work on or change. Maybe it’s time for a career change, or perhaps a new love is on the horizon? Now is the perfect time to go after what you want!

"If we always do what we've always done, then we're going to get what we've always got."

Ed Foreman

Spring Clean Your Life This March Equinox

Health and Happiness

In our everyday lives, we often get wrapped up in thinking solely of others and their needs, and often put ourselves second. Although being selfless and caring for others is a wonderful thing, sometimes we have to put ourselves first, and think about what we need. This means not only paying attention and taking care of our physical health, but also our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.

Spruce up your diet. Good nutrition is important, as is treating ourselves occasionally. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life and our routines, we often find ourselves repeating the same patterns. If you have a busy day, it's often quicker and easier to grab something quick and eat it on the go. Take a look at your schedule, and try to forge some time a couple of nights a week to dedicate to making and eating good food; try new, exciting recipes, and ingredients you haven’t had before. Just the act of making a meal often cheers us up, and actually sitting down to eat something delicious leaves us satisfied and feeling good about ourselves.

Declutter your mind with exercise. Taking just a little time a few times a week to just give yourself the chance to move, will help you to focus on yourself, and to clear your mind. Exercise releases endorphins, meaning it is a way to instantly cheer ourselves up. Find an exercise you enjoy, and stick to it. Yoga is an excellent choice; yoga means 'union', and is intended to unite your body, mind and soul, helping you to balance and harmonise these three different areas of your life. Not only does it do wonders for your physical self, it also gives you precious time to clear your mind and soul, too.

Have a literal spring clean of your house and belongings. Having a fresh start means getting rid of things that hold you back, and so its the perfect time to get rid of anything you don’t need. Throw away old clothes and other belongings you no longer use that are simply taking up room; clear your kitchen of old food, and rearrange your furniture to give your home a new look in a simple way.

Love and Relationships

While learning to look after yourself, it’s important to consider the relationships in your life. Often we hang on to relationships with people who are holding us back, or bringing us down, simply because we are used to their presence in our life. However, now is the time to get a fresh start, and letting go of people who only bring negativity into your life will cause you to be able to focus your attention on those people who have a positive influence on your life instead.

We all have those friends who we find ourselves constantly making effort with, and receiving nothing in return. It is tiring having to chase somebody constantly, with no rewards. If you find a relationship with a friend is more effort than it is worth, let them go; if they do really care about you, they will realise what you have done, and they will make the effort to repair the relationship.

The same applies to romantic relationships. If you are involved with somebody who refuses to commit, or constantly messes you around, think of yourself and end the relationship. Everybody deserves to be wanted and loved, and there is no reason to allow somebody to treat you like you are only an option to them. It may be hard to let go of somebody you have feelings for, but by moving on from them opens you up to the opportunity to meet somebody new.

If you’re in a relationship, now is the perfect time to take the next step, and add a little extra romance into your love life! After a certain amount of time in a relationship, we fall into easy patterns, and as we go about our everyday lives, we forgot to keep the romance alive. When was the last time you and your partner did something new and exciting? Arrange some time just to spend time together, enjoying each other’s company and really connecting. Surprise them with small, thoughtful gestures, and let them know how much you love them.

Career and Money

We spend a lot of time at work, and if you’re not happy in your job, it has a big impact on your happiness in every other area of your life too. Take the opportunity this spring to contemplate your work life, and whether it’s time for a change.

Are you stuck in a job you don’t enjoy? Now is the time for a career change. Take some time to really think about you, and what you really want to do. Although money is important for many things, it is more important to do something you enjoy. Think about what it is about your current job that you dislike, and use that as a starting point for what you don’t want to do next.

If you love your job, don’t wish to move, but feel like you’re not progressing, now is the time to take that next step. Is there a promotion you feel like you could go for? Or maybe you believe you are working hard and are good at what you do, and so deserve a pay rise? Take some time to put together a case for why you deserve to move forward, and arrange a meeting with your boss. Put yourself forward, and you will most likely be pleasantly surprised by what you can achieve!

Maybe it’s time for something completely new and different? Do you have a dream you’ve never had the courage to go for? Now is the time! Maybe you could go back into education and study something you’ve always wanted to? Or perhaps you have the right qualifications, and you just need to go after your dream job? Now is the time to follow your dreams!