Thinking About Spring
stepping into the new season and recent reflections
It’s been a little over two weeks since the Spring Equinox, and a week since the clocks sprung forward here in Berlin. And yet, I feel extremely exhausted, sleepy, and lethargic.
The spring fever hasn't quite hit me yet. Aside from a bit of spring cleaning over the weekend, my body feels like it’s still in winter and yet I can wear shirts now under my puffer jacket? It feels weird. I'm taking it day by day.
In German, there’s a word for that—Frühlingsmüdigkeit, which loosely translates to spring fatigue. What do you mean it’s warm and sunny, and suddenly it’s obligatory to go out, socialize, and make the most out of the onset of a new season? The Frühlingsmüdigkeit is definitely resonating with me at the moment.
While everyone else ponders about their exciting projects, here I am feeling enveloped in my own creative bubble, wanting to seclude myself in the studio, craving deep creative work.
At most, I’d meet a friend (or two) a week, and avoid group hangs altogether (if you know me personally and I haven’t gotten in touch in recent times, I apologize). My energy has been very limited, but I’ve been adamant in resetting my routine (work, workout, sleep, nutrition) after my Chicago trip and tooth extraction that felt like forever.
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Every time a new season unfolds, especially the ones that entail longer days, I feel pressured to constantly show up and make plans to fill up my calendar in an effort to “make the most of my time”.
But now that I’m getting older (and have a place to myself), I’ve noticed subtle shifts in this behavior. I no longer want to feel obliged to do things just because everyone is. I like how my life is going and I shouldn’t let anyone else dictate what I should or shouldn’t do. I have pretty much accepted that most of my life is pretty unconventional and instead of treating it as a weakness, I should start considering it as my strength.
Growing pains and spring fatigue aside, I’m finding my way out of this lull through a few intentional goals. Being a Capricorn in Aries season isn’t my favorite combination, but the spark to begin has definitely helped.
Finding inspiration beyond my usual
While it’s so easy to log onto Pinterest1 (my default), I’ve been bothered by how many ads have been appearing on my feed. And after a certain period of browsing, I think I’m being fed with the same cycle of pins, and it feels frustrating.
Lately, I’ve switched to Cosmos, as suggested by my friend Caro. It’s been great, but I’m still getting used to it. The instant shift in visuals was definitely a delight.
Apart from searching for online inspiration, I am on a side quest to find more inspiration outside my screen. This can mean going to a local deli, passing by a secondhand bookshop, or even venturing out into further stops to witness the range of train station typography (Berlin’s U7 line is a great example).
I yearn for old packaging inspiration, graphic design posters from the 90s, typography that would make me swoon. The last time I felt this creatively inspired was in Lisbon last winter (the Azulejos were gorgeous, so were the packaging), and I remember going oooh and aaah when I got to the Music section of Nochmall (I love looking at album covers!).
If you have any suggestions on where to find these online, I’d love to know!2 I bookmarked some museums with open access, but I’m still on the lookout for more.
Going on more morning walks
The sun hits my apartment in the early afternoon, so it’s a good incentive to follow it at the start of the day (and a good excuse to get my steps in). This is also why I schedule my workouts between 10-12. On non-workout days, though, I am starting a walking routine of some sort, to get myself going and avoid my usual sedentary tendencies.
This morning, instead of my usual slow breakfast and heading straight to work, I went to the park to think and write. I live near a huge park and everyone I know has been telling me to make my way there (I finally did for the first time in ten months). It was a gorgeous day out, and the best part? It was so quiet.
I meant to stay in and walk (at home), but I couldn’t resist the sun—and the demons (in my head) were getting louder by the minute. In the wise words of Austin Kleon, the demons hate fresh air.
Unsurprisingly, the birdsong and fresh air did wonders. I even managed to pick up a picnic basket on the street, for free! Here’s to the first (of many more) walks and movement to shake out the negative energy (and keep the demons at bay).
Draw something every day
I’ve been meaning to bring back 2022 Abbey, who was with her sketchbook3 every time she was out and about. I was in wide-eyed wonder back then, mostly because everything in Berlin felt novel and exciting to me.
While I love to journal at the end of the day, I think a sketchbook is the perfect exercise for paying attention and capturing things on the go.
The rules I set for this practice include the following:
black pen4 only (lesser decision making, lesser friction)
drawing under 10 minutes and not overthinking each page
a page a day in my tiny, square sketchbook5 (subject varies)
as much as possible, draw on-site (taking photos as reference for drawing at home or in a café is also fine)
Coincidentally, the projects I’ve taken on this spring feel like my own version of spring cleaning: revamping my website, developing a new Skillshare class (very excited to nerd out on media journaling), and tidying up the rest of my studio.
And while I’ve been craving more solitude, I also find myself searching for community in spaces that already hold it. I’ve decided to rebrand my Patreon to Creative Growth Club—nothing fancy, but I love a good name; it makes things feel more real. I want it to feel more intentional, more connected, and rooted in growing together creatively.
I’m looking forward to host livestreams and have something on my calendar once a month, aside from sharing more behind the scenes updates and journaling inspiration. I share more about the change and what to expect via this announcement post.
I hope you can join us! Become a member of the Creative Growth Club here.
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Thinking about spring is one thing, but embodying it is another. And while I’m still feeling Frühlingsmüdigkeit, I’d love to know how you get yourself into spring mood. Any rituals or fun activities that get you into the warmer months?
PS: I saw this dandelion on my walk and immediately said it me lol. Here’s to making space and thriving in unconventional places 🌼
Funny how I’ve resorted to Pinterest when I initially was a huge Tumblr and weheartit (RIP!) person growing up.
I just remembered: I love Present and Correct’s blog. Lots of vintage ephemera and design inspiration!
At this time I was using the TRAVELER’s notebook spiral ring notebook—you can watch this video for a flip-through of this particular sketchbook.
I’m always using the Pentel Touch or Tombow Fudenosuke because it does a great job of doing thick and thin lines (also great for calligraphy)
I finally cracked open my Royal Talens sketchbook in yellow. I got it two (!) summers ago in Poland on a whim.
Your sketchbooks are so inspiring! If you haven't read it yet, I recommend "Spring Cannot Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy" by David Hockney and Martin Gayford. I first read it a few years ago, and now I flip through it every spring to remind me of all the beautiful things that are happening outside right now and how just noticing them can turn a day around!
You are on the right track there with walks in the park and painting everyday. I have been going on walks almost everyday and I am on the look out for different flowers. I have been doing watercolour painting everyday now as a part of the 100 day project. The flowers that I see during my walks serve as a source of inspiration.