“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Listen up, Germies! It’s that time of year again. It’s time to shed our winter coats, thaw our frozen fingers, and declare that spring has officially sprung. Whether you’re enjoying a tropical spring in Hawaii, a scorching spring in Texas, or a magical spring in New York, it’s undeniable that a change has occurred before our very eyes. The sun is dancing on the leaves of the trees, the flowers are awakening from their winter slumber, and the birds continue to chirp their melodic tune from the rooftops. However, if you’re like me, you don’t get to enjoy any of this brilliance. Instead, we reside behind paper-filled desks or dwell in stone-faced buildings with our noses crammed inside textbooks.

Neither of these options are a proper way to spend spring. Recently, it seems that spring has almost become a passing season — a time in the year that we must endure in order to obtain the relaxing and carefree disposition that summer always promises. It shouldn’t be this way. Spring is its own season with its own beauties and possibilities. It is a time of new beginnings — a time to try new things, discover new places, or simply explore what Mother Nature has worked all winter to create. We should not disregard this season simply because our schedules are busy, eclectic, and at times chaotic. Instead, we must make it our duty to take back spring and all the wonders it has to offer. Here are just a few ways to make spring the best and most memorable season yet.

Go Outside

This is probably one of the easiest ways to enjoy spring. In the millennial generation, we are so attached to our smart phones and endless social media platforms that we often forget that there’s another world waiting for us outside our front door. This spring, I challenge you to unplug and to go outside. Take an hour break from the chaos of life and breathe in some fresh air. If you’re an excellent multitasker, you could even do your work outside. The fresh air and sunshine will do wonders to clear your mind and to re-energize the creative juices that we so heavily rely on in our day-to-day lives. Take a nap in the sun. Smell the flowers. Go for a bike ride. Whatever you do, I guarantee it will be the best part of your day.

Explore Your City

Cities are utterly unique in their own little ways. Each one possesses some sort of treasure from the past that is just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’ve lived in the same place all your life or you’ve just moved to a new place, I guarantee that there are places and spaces in your city that you have no idea exist. Spring is a perfect time to explore these possibilities. The weather is great, and there’s absolutely no time like the present. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Polaroid camera and start exploring the paths less traveled by. You might be amazed by what you find. Don’t forget to share your finds.

Take a Road Trip

This activity should be experienced by everyone at least once in their life, and spring is the perfect time to do it. Nothing can wash away your troubles and uncertainties better than the wind flowing through your hair and the sun dancing warmly on your face. All you need is a great pair of shades, a full tank of gas, and a handful of your best friends. A map is optional on this excursion because, honestly, who doesn’t want to get lost with their besties? Go where the wind takes you, and don’t be afraid to try new things along the way. Life is too short to stress about things that won’t matter five years from now. Instead, focus on the things that will last, like your lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and your ceaseless love for your new favorite season.

Happy Spring, Germies! Make it a great one.