14 (random) things I'm loving this spring season (fresh + cleansing)
written by Jasmine Irven
As we move more and more into the spring season my goals and intentions are to:
Hone in on what’s important to me and where I want to be spending my energy
Inviting in the new but also pairing down what I’m doing to focus on what’s truly serving me and how I want to use my time
Working on the goals I’ve set for myself
Getting outside more and experiencing nature
Connecting and collaborating
The start of the spring season invites us to start getting outside more, cleansing our lives and our spaces to invite in the new, and focus on what’s important to us. So, with those intentions in mind I’ve curated a list of 14 (random) things I’m loving this season.
1. province apothecary incense
While in the winter months I tend to opt for candles more often, I find myself looking for incense more and more in the warmer weather.
There is something so energetically cleansing about burning incense, particularly in the mornings when I am journaling and meditating.
I personally love their cedar wood scent which is grounding and strengthening, helping to clear and purify for the springtime.
Plus, Province Apothecary incense is always free from synthetic fragrances and chemicals which is very important when you’re actively breathing in something (still be sure to burn it in a well-ventilated area though!).
2. soy candles by NAUTANA
While I include more incense in my routine in the spring and summer, I’m still not over candles and love to have them burning in our apartment, particularly in the evening and during my meditations.
I’ve especially been loving the Bliss candle from NAUTANA, a Black-owned, Womxn-owned business based in Toronto. They strive to be eco-conscious, sourcing non-toxic and sustainable ingredients and their branding and candles are just so beautiful!
I love the Bliss candle for spring with the scent of Acai berries, coconut cream, and a soft floral. Follow them on Instagram here.
3. iLOLA tea discs
I was recently gifted some beautiful tea discs from iLOLA and I am in love! iLOLA is a luxury wellness brand based out of Vancouver (we love supporting Canadian brands, can you tell!?).
Their products are made locally by Canadian artisans, handcrafted and curated with premium ingredients from around the world. Plus, their unique tea disc shape means you don’t have to wonder how much tea to steep - it’s already there for you!
iLOLA was founded in 2020 as a way to provide a sense of strength in the face of uncertainty, and I love that their mission is really to help people appreciate the pause that this time through quarantine has given us — to return back and remember what truly matters (slowing down and appreciating the small moments).
I was gifted Chunmee Green No. 25 tea and the Sweet Cinnamon Chai No. 40 blend!
4. short + tank top sets
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been living in comfy sweatshirts and track pants throughout the winter season, and are wanting to keep those cozy vibes going throughout spring.
So, I’ve been loving browsing for short + tank top sets that will help me carry these feelings into the spring and summer season.
I particularly have had my eye on the Lounge With Me sets, a Toronto based company run by 2 young women! (Setting my alarm for when their spring sets launch).
5. sitting on the balcony
This list isn’t just made of tangible things! I also like to take time to reflect on the rituals and parts of my day I’ve been loving in my life.
Lately, the main thing I’ve been loving is sitting on my balcony or building rooftop to do my work, enjoy my coffee, or eat dinner.
I find at the beginning of spring I’m super appreciative of the warmer weather, and so I’m wanting to spend more and more time outside enjoying it (before I get sick of the heat again in the summer lol - is that not very Canadian?)!
Feeling the fresh air on my skin, enjoying the sunlight, and listening to the movement of the city is very relaxing and inspiring to me.
6. espresso + nut milk
Simply because I included my warm latte drink in my winter favourites, I’m including my current morning go-to drink for the spring, which is an iced latte. I make mine by filling a glass at least half full with ice cubes, adding a generous amount of almond or oat milk, and then adding in 2 shots of espresso.
7. “what I know for sure”
I haven’t been reading QUITE as much as I want to be lately because my morning rituals have just shifted slightly (I tend to go in phases with what I’m enjoying), but when I can find a few minutes to sit down with a book it’s been “What I Know For Sure” by Oprah Winfrey.
Each entry is only a page or two, so it’s super easy to pick it up and read a section for a quick boost of inspiration and direction.
The book is a compilation of life lessons Oprah has written about in her column also titled “What I Know For Sure,” in O, The Oprah Magazine.
The book is also organized by theme to make it easy to navigate ―joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power― all powerful and inspirational themes to get you thinking about your life and how you want to show up.
8. buying myself plants + flowers
Treating yourself to something small can be game-changing for your motivation and mood!
Whether it’s buying yourself flowers, a drink from your fave cafe, or going on a solo walk, it’s the little things that can bring so much joy, as long as you take the time to appreciate them.
For me, lately I’ve been loving bringing more plants and occasionally fresh flowers into my home to bring a boost of life and greenery, reminding me to appreciate nature, and giving me something to take care of.
9. homemade poke bowls
As we move into warmer months, I generally start to shift from roasted veggies, and rich soups and stews into incorporating fresh bowls, with raw vegetables and fruits into our meal plan.
Lately, a recurring (DELICIOUS) meal we’ve been wanting again and again is homemade poke bowls. We generally follow along with this plant-based and vegan poke bowl recipe, modifying it based on what’s in our cupboards and fridge.
We love to include marinated tofu, avocado, radish, cucumber, homemade pickled onions, and hot sauce!
10. longer walks
Getting outside is super important to me, but I find myself often shying away from it in winter months just because it isn’t quite as enjoyable when your face is being whipped with wind and the sidewalks are a slushy mess.
SO, I make it a point to start extending my walks as the weather gets warmer and I can be outside for longer without getting cold!
I like to pick a 30 minute to 1-hr long podcast episode and then trying to extend my walk to the length of the episode. However, I also don’t want to minimize the benefit of going on a walk without listening to anything — instead just appreciating the sounds around you and letting your mind wander.
11. diy + home decor videos on YouTube
As one of my intentions was to be more creative this year and to invite in more opportunities for creativity, I’ve been loving everything related to home decor and DIY lately! Specifically Jnaydaily, TheSorryGirls, and Lone Fox.
12. virtual self-care sessions
As you likely know by now, I’ve been working on creating a self-care membership, and so I’ve been trying to connect more with other wellness practitioners to practise my own self-care and to prep for potential future collaborations.
In that, I’ve been attending virtual yoga, meditation and journaling sessions run by other practitioners, showing up weekly on the Sustainable Bliss IG for live sessions with experts, and running my own morning and evening classes, and it’s been so fun and refreshing!
Being able to attend from the comfort of your own home while connecting with others in such nourishing ways is game-changing.
13. pancakes
I’ve been trying to work less on the weekends, and instead invite in slowness, and one of the ways I’m doing this is by making a semi-regular ritual of making pancakes!
I posted one of my favourite plant-based pancake recipes on my blog recently if you want to start this ritual in your life as well.
14. morning coffee music
My current favourite playlist to enjoy while sipping my morning coffee has to be this one on Spotify.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
