Spring is one of my all-time favourite seasons. It’s such an expansive time of year. After months of cosy nights in front of the TV, hot baths, pub dinners, early bedtimes and thick jumpers, it suddenly feels like the sun comes out and brings with it a world of new opportunities.
This year, spring feels especially special. Maybe it’s the incredible weather we’re having in the UK (the driest March in 60 years, apparently!?). Or maybe it’s because this year, as the seasons changed, my life completely changed too. I moved to a new seaside home in South Wales and started a new contract at the women's health app Flo.
Spring: the season of new life (baby lambs, baby chicks, buds, flowers and greens on the trees) also coincided with a new life for me.
Whatever the reason, the last few weeks have felt like the most glorious arrival of spring ever, and I’ve been soaking up all of the firsts like…
First dip in the sea (still freezing, but felt incredible!)
First seedlings sprouting in the veggie garden (the courgettes are looking amazing!)
First iced coffee of the year (my fave)
First al fresco lunch in our new garden (such a treat during a screen heavy work day)
First run outdoors in shorts!
First time meeting my baby niece visiting from Australia
First BBQ of the year (which doubled up as a lovely housewarming)
First ice cream cone (of course from Joe’s, a Swansea institution!)
Just reading this list makes me so excited for the months ahead: more sea swims, iced coffees, ice creams, gardening, summer clothes, and generally photosynthesising in the sun like a plant.
And there’s one more spring first to add, this time a work one. My fellow freelance friend
and I are hosting an online event on becoming a freelance user researcher. If you don’t know Sophie, she’s been freelancing for 3 years now and is the gal who inspired me to take the leap. She’s such an amazing example of building a thriving freelance career and really making the most of all the freedom it brings (she’s just got back from a month and a half in India!).I’ve never hosted an online event like this before, but am really excited for it. We'll share honestly about the highs, lows and logistics of freelancing from our (very different) perspectives and backgrounds and you’ll leave with a getting started checklist. If you’re interested, you can get tickets here.
What’s been your favourite spring first this year?