Spring into April: Tips to Help Prepare for Spring

It's that time of year again. The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Spring is in the air and it's time to put winter in the rear-view mirror. 

There are a lot of things that happen or can happen, maybe even should happen when Spring rolls around. Some of them halted by the cold weather of winter or due to changing priorities. Whatever the reason for changing habits over to more appropriate winter ones, once the days start to get longer it's time to embrace the vernal equinox again.

So here are five tips to help you do just that.

1) De-clutter

There's just something about winter that justifies a burrowing mentality. You tend to collect things, or receive things(Christmas, Hanukkah, etc) and not necessarily put those things away. It's ok, you can admit it, a little bit of laziness is a part of the turf when it comes to winter. 

Those books you have piled on top of your desk, the mail in a stack right beside the books, the jackets and scarfs hung over chairs. It's time for those things to go. 

You don't want to open the blinds or curtains and throw open the windows to let in that spring sunshine and fresh air, only for it to highlight the clutter that is EVERYWHERE. 

Hang up the scarfs, put the books away on a shelf and shred all that excess mail that you don't need anymore. It will make it all the more easier to dust and use that desk for what is was intended to be used.

2) Change Up the Wardrobe

You've put away the scarfs and gloves, but don't stop there. 

I tend to move my clothes around twice a year, in the winter and the spring. When it begins to get cold outside, I will dig out the jackets, sweaters and long sleeve shirts. They will all be moved to the side of the closet closer to the door; it's all about the ease of access.

Therefore, logic dictates, I do it all again when the weather begins to get warmer. This time with the t-shirts, tank tops, and blouses.

This isn't a must, but I don't have a huge closet. So if I can shove clothes I won't need for months off to one side, and only use one door, I will.

3) Get Outside

With warm weather comes outdoor activities. Don't waste any time to stretch out those muscles that may not have gotten as much attention during those winter months as they could have. 

Pick back up with hobbies you like to do outside or find new ones. The options really are endless. You can go for picnics or walks through the park. Head to the local zoo or an outdoor shopping area. 

Go rediscover those places you frequented the last time the weather was great, and maybe add a few new places to that list while you're at it.

4) Fight Allergies

Now if you're like me, Spring is not always the kindest to allergy sufferers. I live in a dusty and dry desert climate, so I'm no stranger to allergies through out the year. But they tend to seem a little worse once March and April roll around. 

There's no way to avoid blooming flowers and pollen in the springtime. It's nice to see blossoming trees and wild flowers growing in the woods. It's a pretty sight to behold after the empty, dead look that trees and plants were afforded by Winter.

So if you have allergies, don't let that stop you from enjoying the outdoors and the fantastic weather. There are a lot of great products out there to help stave off the effects of pollen and those other silly allergens.

5) Unruly Weather Alternatives

Drip drop drip. Little April showers.

Living in Arizona, our rainy days tend to be few and far between. Unless it's July and August(the monsoon season), that's when we see the majority of our rain for the year.

But for those of you who live in more humid climates, Spring often brings rain with it. So while you would prefer to be done with dreary cloudy days, use these days to your advantage as well. I for one love dreary cloudy days(and not just because I live in a desert and it's a rare break from the at times harsh sun), because it always tends to put me in the right mood for reading. 

I love reading books, to the point where the lack of space on my shelves has not stopped me from buying more. But now a days, you don't have to limit yourself to books. It's just as easy to curl up with an e-reader or tablet and wile away the rainy hours with a great story. 

Of course, what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't also recommend reading blogs as well, if you're not in the mood for a novel. There are so many different blogs out there, with varied topics for you to read. You obviously found this one, or have been a faithful reader for a while(welcome to the new folks and thank you all for reading). 

But don't be shy, branch out and subscribe to more blogs. You are guaranteed to find plenty more that you'll be interested in. I actually was recently made aware of a blog from iRazoo. They are an online survey company where you can take surveys to earn points which you can then redeem for gift cards. Their blog offers tips and advice on a variety of topics including a rundown on how to get the most out of their website. I haven't had the chance to check out their surveys yet, but it does seem interesting and would certainly help pass the time while you're trapped inside by rainy weather.

Some of my current go-to blogs that I would highly recommend are AgentPalmer.com, Honey Bears and Sydney Beans, and the Crimson Circle Club. The first is a geek pop culture blog with fun content and honest spoiler-free reviews of books, music, TV shows and movies. The second is a family blog by a lovely Canadian who uses her blog to share her experiences as a wife and busy mom of two girls. The last is a blog written by a group of women dealing with subject matter ranging from dog walking to thought provoking discussion topics.

So there you have it. Some tips to help you usher in the Spring. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a book to enjoy on the patio.