#9: The Ultimate Spring Reset: From Tantrums to Tranquility
Ah, spring—the season of fresh flowers, deep cleaning, and realizing your kids have outgrown last year’s clothes (again). While we’re busy decluttering closets and wiping away the remnants of winter hibernation, it’s also the perfect time for a full-body-and-soul reset. Think of it as spring cleaning—but for YOU.
In this blog, I’m going to go into depth on why doing a spring reset is so essential for us as women and mothers, how to actually do it efficiently and effectively, and give you actionable and realistic steps to help you kick this spring resets ass.
Why a Spring Reset Can Help Moms (And Why It’s Absolutely Necessary)
1. Seasonal Change and Renewal:
Okay, so winter was dark, cold, and possibly involved too many toddler tantrums and random food stains on your clothes (thanks, life). But it’s SPRING, and everything’s blooming—except your energy levels. It’s like the universe is telling you, “Hey, time for a fresh start.” Spring is the perfect excuse to shake off the winter funk, restart as if this is your actual New Year, and get your life back in order—because if you don’t, your kids will keep playing with your phone while you’re trying to have five minutes of silence.
Actionable Steps:
Take a walk outside (even if it’s just around the block): You need the fresh air. You deserve it. And no, your toddler doesn’t need to bring 13 random items with them on this walk. Just a walk. One foot in front of the other, and probably a snack so you can enjoy your walk in piece.
Throw out what’s not serving you: That includes the expired condiments in the fridge and, let’s be real, any guilt you're holding onto for not being the "perfect mom." We're all winging it—perfectionism is late season, girl.
Write down 3 intentions for the season: You don't have to be "perfect" this spring, but at least know what you want. Maybe it’s “I’ll drink 3 cups of water today without spilling one,” or “I will not hide in the pantry when my kids are having a meltdown.”
2. Mental & Emotional Recharge:
Listen, your brain has been in overdrive since that first baby came out. You are a walking to-do list: doctor’s appointments, playdates, meal prep, laundry, constant snack-making. Your mind is a scrambled mess of thoughts that mostly sound like, “Did I switch the laundry?” and “Why does my kid think the toilet is a swimming pool?” A mental reset means you’re not just “surviving” anymore. You’re thriving, like the damn queen you are.
Actionable Steps:
Find a quiet space (even if it’s in the bathroom): Seriously. Go in there, lock the door, and just breathe for 5 minutes. You can do it. Even if the kids are banging on the door like little cavemen.
Meditate for 2 minutes: You don’t need a whole zen retreat. Just close your eyes and try to ignore your babes screaming “MOMMY!” for 120 seconds. It’s a win if you make it through without interruptions.
Set boundaries: This one’s huge. No, your toddler doesn’t need you to pick out all the blue M&M’s. No, you can’t host a cookout again. Boundaries are like emotional armor. Wear them proudly.
3. Physical Health & Wellness:
We’ve all had a "New Year, New Me" moment, right? But then your kid’s 5th birthday came and the chocolate cake called your name, and you “didn’t have time” for the gym the last 3 months. Now, it’s time for a realistic approach: don’t pressure yourself to fit into your pre-kid jeans, but do make an effort to move your body and get your energy back. Also, you’ll need all the energy you can get to keep up with those tiny humans.
Actionable Steps:
Do a 15-minute workout at home: This could be as simple as squats while you wait for the microwave. Just move, mama. You’ll feel less like a potato afterward and hack your happy hormones in the process.
Take the kids outside to play: Yep, this counts as exercise. I’m not saying you need to do sprints, but playing tag with your kids for 20 minutes? You’re basically in a workout video.
Drink more water: You know that feeling when you’re like, “I’m so tired!” but it’s actually just dehydration? Yeah, let’s fix that. Drink water like you’re a plant in desperate need of a good soak.
4. Reconnecting With Purpose:
So, you’ve been focusing 24/7 on your kids and trying to stay afloat in the chaos. News flash: you are NOT just a mom. You are a person who used to have passions, interests, and a life outside of diaper duty and snack prep. A spring reset is your reminder that YOU matter, too. Your dreams, your hobbies, and that feeling of you being you—before the little humans took over your whole world. You are a woman who can be, do and accomplish anything you put your mind to, you just have to align with it and work towards it a little bit day by day.
Actionable Steps:
Make a list of hobbies or goals you’ve forgotten about: Remember that thing you loved doing before you had kids? Maybe it’s painting, or writing, or even just watching a movie without interruptions. Write it down.
Do one thing for yourself each week: This doesn’t have to be a day spa. Maybe it’s reading a book for 20 minutes or going to your favorite store alone (which is basically a vacation, right?).
Join a mom group or activity: No, not to complain about your kids (we already do enough of that). Find something that reignites a spark in you. Maybe yoga, a book club, or a dance class where no one’s judging your moves.
5. Actual Spring Cleaning
You know you’ve got random toys in every room, that sippy cup you couldn’t find for a week under the couch, and 8 half-eaten donuts stashed in various toy compartments. Your house is basically a war zone. But don’t worry—spring cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing floors. It’s about making space in your life (and your mind). The clutter isn’t just physical. It’s mental, too. And cleaning out that mess can give you a bit of breathing room.
Actionable Steps:
Pick one room to declutter: Don’t try to do the whole house, unless you want to spontaneously combust. Start small. Maybe your bedroom or the kitchen junk drawer that’s actually a black hole.
Get the kids involved: Yeah, I said it. Put them to work. Let them help with picking up their toys for once. Or teach them how to toss things that haven’t been touched in a year. (Bonus points if you bribe them with snacks.)
Donate what you don’t need: You don’t need the 42 stuffed animals your kid swears they can’t live without. Time to purge. Send them off to a new home where they’ll get used, or at least get out of your closet.
How a Spring Reset Could Help Moms (And How to Actually Do It)
1. Setting New Intentions
Remember when I said take this as if it’s your “new” New Year? Setting new intentions sounds fancy, but really it’s just about thinking, “What am I really trying to do here?” or “What do I want to accomplish for myself by the end of the year?” Let’s be real: life is exhausting. So setting intentions doesn’t mean you’re going to become a fitness guru or a full-time Pinterest mom. It means you’re going to be more intentional with your time. Maybe not every day, but enough to make you feel like you’re on the right track.
Actionable Steps:
Sit down and make a “realistic” goal list: “Stop yelling at my kids” is a start. Or “Actually eat breakfast before 10 AM” (no judgment, we’ve all done the ‘coffee is the breakfast of champions’ thing).
Write down one intention each week: It’s just one. You don’t need to go overboard. This could be something simple like, “Have a few hours alone this weekend.”
Don’t pressure yourself: Seriously. If your intentions are “get out of bed before noon” or “survive another week,” that’s enough.
2. Prioritizing Self-Care:
We joke about "self-care" like it’s a luxury that only happens when you have the time. But honestly? It’s not. Self-care is the bare minimum for surviving this mom life. And if you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else. So yeah, let’s drop the guilt and do something that makes you feel human again. You deserve to love yourself just as much as you love your kids, so let’s give yourself to same love and appreciation, shall we?
Actionable Steps:
Take 10 minutes for yourself: Lock yourself in the bathroom (again, yes) and do whatever feels right: scroll TikTok, drink a coffee, journal all your thoughts out or just zone out. Your kids will survive without you for 10 minutes.
Make an "I’m not working today" rule: Take one day a week where you put the chores and work on pause. If the house falls apart, so be it.
Ask for help: Don’t be a martyr. Get your family member, partner, a friend, or a neighbor to take the kids for an hour so you can go do something you actually enjoy. Even if it’s just sitting in your car in silence.
3. Getting Active Outdoors:
Ugh, I know. Movement. We know we should do it, but between constant toddler meltdowns and late-night Netflix binges, it’s easy to put it on the back burner. But honestly, if you want to feel more like a person and less like a zombie, you need to move your body. And bonus: you don’t have to join a gym or do some weird fitness challenge. Just get outside, breathe fresh air, and pretend you’re at a spa (even if the kids are climbing on your back).
Actionable Steps:
Hot mom walk: It’s free therapy. With this beautiful, warming up weather, throw those kids in the stroller and go. Put on a podcast or your favorite playlist and strut your shit mama.
Do a workout video at home: Trust me, there’s a million 10-minute routines online that you can do without leaving the house. Even if it’s just you and your dog as your workout buddy. Tik-Tok and YouTube have amazing ones.
Dance like nobody’s watching: No, really. Put on your favorite song, turn up the volume, and shake it out. You’ll feel better. It’s scientifically proven. Haven’t you watched Grey’s?
4. Building or Strengthening Support Systems:
You’re not an island, mama. If you're running this show alone, it’s time to ask for help. If you've learned anything as a mom, it’s that you can't do it all—so don’t. A good support system is everything. Whether it’s a mom group or a neighbor who’ll take your kids for an hour, you need people who get it.
Actionable Steps:
Reach out to a fellow mom: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Call up a friend and say, "Hey, I need some help." They’ll probably thank you for giving them an excuse to escape, too.
Set up a “swap” day: Offer to watch their kids for an afternoon if they’ll return the favor. It’s like a playdate, but with added freedom for both of you.
Join a local Facebook group, online mom group or the Peanut app: Connecting with other moms who get it can be a game-changer when you feel isolated.
5. Decluttering & Organizing:
You’ve got clothes from 5 years ago, baby toys you’re convinced you might need again, and enough random items that even Marie Kondo would throw in the towel. Decluttering isn’t just about making your house look good; it’s about making your mind feel better. A cluttered home = a cluttered mind. So let’s sort it out, one drawer at a time.
Actionable Steps:
Pick one drawer to start: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Start with one drawer, maybe the junk drawer that has all the lost socks in it.
555Have a “throw away or donate” rule: If it’s broken or hasn’t been used in six months, toss it. You don’t need 100 toys or clothes you’ll never wear.
Enlist the kids: Okay, they won’t do it perfectly. They might even "help" by throwing all their toys in the trash. But it’s the effort that counts!
Recap:
The “Why”
Seasonal Change and Renewal: Spring’s a fresh start, so use it as an excuse to shake off the winter funk and refresh both your environment and mindset.
Mental and Emotional Recharge: Recharging mentally helps you break free from burnout, letting you reconnect with your sense of self and purpose.
Physical Health and Wellness: Get moving outdoors to restore your energy, even if it’s just a short walk or a quick at-home workout.
Reconnecting with Purpose: A spring reset is your chance to remember you’re a person beyond being a mom—it's time to make space for your passions and goals.
Spring Cleaning: Clean out the physical and emotional clutter to make room for clarity, peace, and a little more control over your space.
Recap: The “How”
Setting New Intentions: Set realistic goals and intentions for the season that make you feel more aligned with your true self and less like you're just "surviving."
Prioritizing Self-Care: Self-care is non-negotiable—it’s about taking small, guilt-free moments to recharge and feel human again.
Getting Active Outdoors: Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and get your body moving even if it’s just chasing the kids around the yard.
Building or Strengthening Support Systems: Find your tribe of people who get it—because you can’t do it all alone, and you shouldn't have to.
Decluttering and Organizing: Tidy up your physical space to bring clarity and calm to your mind, starting small so it’s not overwhelming.
A spring reset is about reclaiming your sanity, setting intentions, and focusing on small, realistic changes that improve both your mental and physical well-being. Whether it’s decluttering your space, prioritizing self-care, or reconnecting with your purpose, it's the perfect time to break free from burnout, refresh your routines, and feel like yourself again—because you absolutely deserve it.
If you’d like a printable check list to help you keep accountable and to track your progress with your spring cleaning, click the link here: ( )and let me know once you’ve finished it! I’d love to hear any feedback or what part of this you’ll put into action to help you with your spring reset.
If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out my other tips on self-care for busy moms, or browse my full collection of motherhood hacks to make life a little easier! Thank you so much for reading, remember to follow me on all my socials and don’t forget to subscribe to my website to be the first to read my weekly blog.
If no one told you today, you are an amazing mom and I see you. You wouldn’t be reading this blog if you weren’t and I am SO proud of you. Keep loving yourself too, mama.
With Love, Caitlin Nichols
