Can you believe in a nutshell is nearing its two year anniversary?
Ya, us neither.
You can bet that on May 15th these five ladies will be having a champagne toast to the growth of our little blog, the new things we’ve discovered, the pats on the back we’ve received and those daily reminders of small successes to call our own (actual toast via Skype, of course).
I’ve read before that if a blogger doesn’t look back at their first post and chuckle a little bit, well, then they’re doing it wrong. Part of the beauty that comes with writing in a public forum is finding your niche, honing your skills and getting a little bit better everyday.
So, over the last almost-two years we’ve dropped some weekly features, added new ones and re-adjusted our posting schedule. But, with that said, who doesn’t love a good throwback?
That’s why, today, with the sun shining on what was starting to look like a permanently dreary Ottawa, I’m falling back in step with year-one of the nut and bringing back a good ol’ bucket list.
As I’ve said in the past, spring is my least favourite season. Which is a shame, really, but Ottawa springs are not of the magical variety. In fact, it snowed Monday. Yes, that’s right. N-e-i-g-e on Easter Monday.
Why me.
And sadly, what typically follows those late blooming snowstorms is a period of slush, mud, cold rain and never knowing what to wear. But, I digress, today at least the sun is shining, and I may even ride my bicycle. Yes, folks, despite Mother Nature’s best efforts I’ve caught the fever. Bring on Spring!
I don’t know if it’s that I’m moving in a month (with my bestie and fellow nut, no less), that I just started a new job or that since the beginning of 2013 my priorities have shifted, but this spring is getting me more excited than ever and what better way than to hopefully make my own enthusiasm a little contagious by laying out a long-list of wants and must-do’s. Without further ado, a little inspiration to hopefully put a little swing in your spring step.
Pinterest something. Anything.
“Hi Pinterest, I’m Catherine and you are going to waste so much of my time.” I’m new to the whole Pinterest game. Not that I didn’t know it existed, more that I was deliberately shunning it because I knew it would lead to my, already advanced, social media demise. But, I love crafts. And fashion. And eating. So, I packed up my free-time and boarded the Pinterest train and now have a long list of projects on my to-do list and an increasing desire to spend an afternoon in Michaels …. and insomnia.
** Follow us!
Spring clean the s*it out of your house.
WOOO! I can’t friggen wait to do this one!
No. It’s not fun. For someone with a mega-packed schedule (almost every nut has two jobs. fact.), throwing away a precious day off to do chores is the absolute worst. BUT, sitting back after a productive day of scrubbing, closet purging, shelf dusting and drawer reorganizing will actually make you the happiest little clam. Not to mention the enormous glass of wine you’re going to consume immediately following the aforementioned activity.
Be active. EVERYday.
Most people will tell you it’s good to try and fit a fitness regime into your schedule. That getting to the gym even once a week is better than nothing. Well, I’m here to tell you that you need to step it up. Yes, that’s right, me who hasn’t been to an actual gym in gosh knows how long, is telling you that you need to kick your own butt once everyday. But I’m talking, ride your bike, go for a run, take a class, go for a walk, a hike, take your dog to the park, race your niece to the swing set, etc. Those long months of hibernation are over and you now finally have options for getting in shape. So use them. Not to mention, bikini season is around the corner and I plan on being in one more than is socially acceptable this summer.
Get a sweet umbrella.
Ok sooooo, my brother’s girlfriend has the coolest job ever. Like, actually. She’s one of two umbrella makers in all of the United States (post to come). So when she gave my entire family these wicked-cool umbrellas for Christmas, I was like a 5-year-old that just got a brand new bike. Immediate tantrum since I had to wait months to use it. I am a wet-sock-hating, rain-loathing, don’t-you-dare-splash-me kind of girl, but now I’m killing every spider I see in the hopes for a little shower just so I can take my bad-a$s umbrella for a spin. If your love for Vitamin D is as obsessive as mine, get one too, it will add a little sunshine to even the most dreary days.
Make friends with salad.
Homer Simpson will hate me for this, but spring is the season of salads. Not only for the looming bikini season, but because there’s something about a salad that makes it already feel like summer. The nuts are big into posting healthy recipes like this one and this one and this one. Here to serve folks, here to serve.
Send mail.
I’m not sure why pretty little letters, with handwritten addresses and cute stamps remind me of the spring, but for some reason they do. I may be plugged in at all times of the day (seriously, my (two!) phones sleep beside me in bed), but I’ve never been one for the e-card. Whether it’s catching up with a friend who literally didn’t leave their home all winter, sending a birthday card to a spring baby or writing your momma a heartfelt note for upcoming Mother’s Day, be a little old fashioned and opt for snail mail. You will one-hundo-p make someone’s day. (Unless you address it improperly, then the mailman will hate you.)
Summer reading list. (Like actually write it down.)
I don’t expect everyone to be as big of a book-loving nerd like me, but whether it’s a day at the beach, lounging at the cottage or waiting for your brightly-painted nails to dry, my guess is you will pick up a book at some point. So many titles, so little time. Use the two months you’ve got until the sunshine-season starts to browse the shelves and make your picks. You know I love a little challenge – yoga challenge, sobriety challenge, reading challenge. No matter what: gettem.
Learn to budget.
Note to SELF. Practice what you preach right? Well, I have been known to spend a third of my rent on shots at the bar, or splurge on a dinner date orrrrrr go to Starbucks obsessively, so I may not be the model to follow here. But what I do know, is that there is not a more expensive season than summer. Concerts, patios, road trips, patios, baseball games, PATIOS, it’s not a time to start a savings account. So plan ahead and make a little spring sacrifices to get your wallet in gear for the summer months. YOLO no wants FOMO. Figure it out.
Book off a weekend … now.
Did I mention we all work a lot? Like a lot. And I don’t think this is something exclusive to our group of hard-working nuts. No, I think every mid-20-something falls into the “you need to work hard to get ahead” game and sometimes forgets to treat themselves. It’s called a work/life balance and you need to have it. So before your weekends get booked solid, pick a weekend, buy those tickets, shotty that front seat and make a pact with your best pals. You need at least one stress-free, beached-whale, campfire-kumbayaing couple of days, and you need to plan it now.
Stay out longer than you should. Just once.
Once upon a time, Jess said if there was one song to describe me it would be this one and mostly because of the line: “I like to dance all night, summons the day – But that’s how I play, yeah that’s how I play”. Truer words have never been spoken. I’m usually the one who champions pushing common sense to the side for at least one unforgettable night a month. And if I’m not, I’m the one getting my arm twisted to do so. I’m not saying that every night should be spent making bad decisions and every morning should be spent regretting them, but promise me this: the FIRST “omg-it-feels-like-summer” night that comes early into springtime, you’re going to throw caution to the wind and stay for one more round. You’ll thank me when you’re 80.
What’s on YOUR spring bucket list? Leave us comments or suggestions 
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