Spring has (almost) Sprung: Temperature Check
Mourning Dove on my back Patio 03/04/2025
As winter keeps playing peekaboo with our emotions and wardrobes, 7 pm sunsets (at least for the East Coast) are our sunny reminder that Spring is nearing. And for the astrologically minded or just lovers of the natural order of seasons, the Spring equinox feels like the true renewal that January 1st often lacks. After an unseasonably cold winter that left no state spared (Florida resident here and I've woken up to many 40s mornings as of late, please allow me the space to complain lol), it's time we start to shake off the ice and embrace the birds and the bees..flora and fauna…the rain and the pollen (writing this with itchy red eyes btw). You know all the spring tings we mostly come to love!
That said, this gross winter has been a spot-on reflection of how the country feels at the government level. Deportation en masse, shortage of eggs, and the constant attacks on any legitimate science, social, or educational organizations are, well, frankly terrifying…it's looking like we're all in for some rough years ahead. And yeah, it's too late for regretful supporters now feeling the fire after quite literally pouring gasoline, lighting the match, and fanning the flames. Fuck that! And fuck them!
And when I log into social media usually to escape for funnies, I'm met with a tsunami of opinions, and as members of the online community, it's something we've all accepted in some capacity every time we hop online. The good, the bad, and the asinine. However, it feels like we've got a bad case of too many cooks in the kitchen, and I'm in need of a cigarette break- real bad. I'm willing to admit that perhaps I'm a bit sensitive to the cacophony of voices on the internet, but things get very spooky very quickly on the TL, and I've noticed I'm much more drained as of late because of my usage. In addition to doomscrolling, there is also all the fake news/fake storylines we have to parse through… “everything is not what it seems" (cue the Wizard of Wizzardly theme song). Supposed heroes become villains and vice versa. I can't tell you how many times you see a story, and then less than 24 hours later, the person everyone was agreeing with in the comments turns out to be a complete A-Hole or worse. That's why I try to let things breathe for a bit or at least wait for something indisputable to be presented before I put myself on the front line regarding any shenangins starting online. All in all though, I think we could do with a little less online time (speaking to myself right now) and get in the field (of life).
So, while I understand the vital importance of staying connected socially during these times, especially when it's hard to trust "the news” when a majority of our sources are biased. I believe that focusing on our wellness and community (in and outside the digital space) is exactly what the collective needs as we live through this time of overwhelming (and often infuriating) information being spat at us daily. And if you're living in the South like me, you know there is a short window of Springness before we find ourselves in the middle of a broiler room, so let's soak in some normal-ish tempartures before another record breaking Summer (because try as they might to deny, Climate Change is real).
I won't force you to do anything like go outside more, hug a tree, rub a bare toe on some grass, or support your local community events. I'll strongly suggest, of course. But I felt the need to share what's been on my mind as we approach Spring. You never know who needs that extra push and/or confirmation. In the meantime, I also wanted to share some of my favorite Spring staples and what I plan to do during this upcoming Spring season as I find myself scaling down my social media usage.
Shantasha's Must Do's for Spring
1. Deep (granny-level) cleaning of your entire space!
Whether you are in a shared space like a dorm, rooming with a family member/friend or got your own apartment/house. First, give thanks for a roof over your head. Spring always feels like a good time to refocus and restart with gratitude. Grateful to have made it through the longest nights and coldest days. So first give thanks and then get to cleaning. I take Spring cleaning very seriously. I move furniture, wipe baseboards, deep clean the stove, donate those clothes that I have not touched in over a year, check expiration dates on medicine and canned goods, wash curtains and couch cushions, dust and mop everything, I mean it's a full service and usually requires a few days to get it done. Whether it takes you a few minutes or a few days, I think our living spaces could all benefit from some extra TLC. Your physical space is often a reflection of your inner space, and I find it easier to tackle what you can physically see before turning inward. My Spring cleaning sets the tone for the rest of the year, it's giving renewal, babes. Oh, and don't forget to OPEN a window and light an incense. Let there be fresh air!
2. Ctrl, Alt, Dlt those emails
Basically, it is the digital version of spring cleaning. Some people have up-to-date emails at any given time, and then some people have anywhere between 100+ to 1000+ unread emails. I fall into the latter. I take this time to unsubscribe to as many spam emails as I can and mass delete emails that I know I will never open. It doesn't help that I have like 5 different email accounts that all have their priorities. I would say I'm working on it, but let's not build our relationship off of lies.
3. Annual Check-Ups
It's still early in the year, but before you know it, Mariah Carey will be defrosting, and the holiday season will be upon us, and you haven't had one medical check-up. Now I'm no stranger to the shit show that is the American healthcare system but if you have decent-ish insurance, let's try to get lab work and a physica/wellness exam. For those without insurance, do try your best to get seen by your local free health clinic (always easier said than done), but physical health is so important. How we gone resist the bullshit in bad health…mmhmm…exactly! Spring is a good time to get things in motion. I've already started my research for the best healthcare providers near me (on the struggle bus trying to find a Black Woman doctor accepting new patients, and i think we all know why). If you can go to a medical provider without going into massive debt, please do! Or at the very least, get your daily dose of vitamin D and a bit of movement.
What's New this Spring for Moi!
1. New Herbalist Alert
I'm very excited to share that I'm starting my professional herbalist certification course. It's a 10-month course and it starts tomorrow! It's something I've wanted to do for myself for a while now. It's an in-person class at my local apothecary shop (how very community oriented of me). I've bought my supplies and books, I felt so official yáll. It's been a minute since I've been a proper student and done coursework that required this level of discipline, and I'm both nervous and excited. Why herbalism? Well, I've been a loose-leaf tea girly for the past 2 ½ years, self-studying herb properties and playing around in the kitchen with a lot of careful googling. But with this course, I'll understand how to use herbs to their fullest extent. Can't wait to share more after my first class.
2. The Resurgence of a Pilates Girl
Remember those” I'm going to work out starting January 1st” promises a large number of us made? Well, I didn't set those goals this January. I've been trying to align my life with the seasons and I knew setting aggressive fitness goals in the middle of winter was not the move for me. Some people are still going strong with their New Year's resolutions, and I give them double snaps for thier commitment. As for me, I kept to my existing pace: walking, stretching, and yoga. But I've had my eye on getting back into the regular… let me say that again… the REGULAR practice of pilates. I don't like crazy cardio and while I do enjoy heavy weight training, I hate going to the gym. Enter pilates… back in high school, I got crazy ripped doing at-home pilates. I know, I know, but Shantasha, you were young, anybody would've gotten ripped at that age. And while I don't dispute that I had the essence of youth on my side, I never forgot how strong it made me feel. Remember, teens can be out of shape too, and I for sure was. I never managed to get back into pilates flirting with it here and there. I focused on yoga a lot more throughout the years but recently, I felt redrawn to pilates. I'm a few workouts in, and can reconfirm that Pilates is no joke. It challenges the body every time you get on that mat, no matter how long you've been in or out of the game. So yeah, I'm excited to see how I change both physically and mentally during this journey. And if I hit the mat consistently now, I'll be my version of summer-ready by the time Summer comes around for once.
So, TLDR -which is kind of crazy, cause like it's your girl;
Less scrolly scrolly and more connecting to mind, body, and earth. But most importantly…don't skip out on your Spring cleaning!
