Hopefully, Mother Nature is tired of winter and ready to give us a permanent spring, not a false spring. With the temperatures on the rise, remembering that the grass is green and that the trees have leaves, here are five different activities and ways to have the springiest spring that has ever sprung, minus the consumerism.
The first activity is to go on a walk! This will not break the bank (hopefully) unless you get a sweet treat before or (and) after your walk. However, if you get a sweet treat before you can walk it off, then mathematically you didn’t eat it. Anyway, the Riverwalk in Mishawaka is beautiful and is a simple, long pattern so you can walk around and not get lost at all.
By going on a walk, you can take a break from your studies and release stress. Also, go with a few friends so you can gab along the way! Watch out for the geese as they are vicious, but don’t tell them I said that because, quite frankly, I am scared of them.
If you’d rather sit than walk, have a picnic! You can gather some friends and everyone can make something, or make a trip to the store and buy something to bring. To add a fun twist, choose a theme for your picnic. Some examples include “Fancy Nancy,” a fairy party or a vintage tea party.
If the weather outside isn’t so nice, an indoor activity you can do is watch a spring-related show or movie. Specifically, some films to add to your watchlist include: “A Bug’s Life,” “Spring Breakers,” “Marie Antoinette,” “Tuck Everlasting,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Secret Garden” and “Peter Rabbit” just to name a few.
If the weather is nice, you can now officially visit Potawatomi Zoo, as they opened for their spring season on March 28.The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. General admission is $16.00, but the IU South Bend library has zoo passes students can check out for free! There is also a new white rhino exhibit.
In terms of how to romanticize your spring when you are in the trenches of your studies, one way is to look the part by dressing up in fun spring colors and patterns! Specifically, florals and pastel colors such as purple, green, yellow and pink are a great color palette to start with. So leave those dark, faded outfits in winter. Sometimes the groutfit is the necessary comfort uniform, like during finals, but don’t underestimate how much energy a little color or accessorizing can bring to a cloudy day.
Lastly, take flower photos for a new phone wallpaper (and pick some real ones, when appropriate!). This can be done in many different ways based on different price ranges. On our very own campus, there are beautiful tulips starting to grow as well as cherry blossom trees.
Taking the time to admire these flowers might help remind you that life does have meaning beyond your classes and schoolwork.
If you want to display flowers, explore local flower shops or play florist yourself by arranging grocery store flowers. You can treat yourself to flowers or buy them for friends, loved ones or even your favorite media writer!
All in all, spring is a time of new beginnings, as the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining (more, at least). While this is easy to lose sight of in the depths of upcoming finals, don’t forget to touch some grass, as it is finally growing again!
