Weekend Mode: Activated! How to shake off winter, open up, and feel more alive

One thing....

Ahh, the weekend awaits. A chance to swap spreadsheets for lie-ins, emails for existential musings over a cuppa, and responsibility for the reckless abandon of… wearing the same hoodie for two days straight. It’s prime time for recharging, resetting, and maybe even having a life-altering epiphany on the dog walk. What’s on your agenda—utter sloth mode, spontaneous adventure, or a bit of both with snacks in hand?

In theory, I should be lying down in a darkened room after the festival last weekend but I’m currently on roll. I’ve been to bed early (for me) this week and can feel my energy returning. And I’m focussing on my theme for the month.

In the Heart Leap universe, we set a theme every month, and mine for March is "open up"—to fresh air, new ideas, and saying yes to things that make me feel more alive .

What’s your theme for March?

Spring is just two weeks away, and while my winter self would like to remind me that hibernation is a valid lifestyle choice, it’s time to fold winter away and start letting the fresh air in (literally—I am opening every window and hoping for the best).

I’m also stepping out into the world and heading to a Kate Fox writing workshop in Alnwick for International Women’s Day 2025. Kate is a stand-up poet, spoken word artist, and broadcaster who has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Radio 4’s The Verb. She’s also a champion of Northern voices, a neurodivergent advocate, and the author of Where There’s Muck, There’s Bras—a brilliant book about the overlooked women of the North. This workshop will be a chance to write, listen, and celebrate Great Northern Women—the unsung heroes, the trailblazers, the women who got on with things while wearing a scarf and a look of mild disappointment. Organised by the brilliant Jacqui Wickes of People Make Alnwick - I can’t wait!

Sunday, I’m off to see Lemn Sissay, poet, playwright, and broadcaster who turned his childhood in care into fuel for some of the most powerful poetry out there.

But enough about me—what about you? What can you do this weekend to shake off winter and open up?

Journal Prompt: Opening Up to the Weekend

What’s one thing you can do this weekend that will inspire and uplift you?
How can you fold winter away (mentally, physically, spiritually, or just by hiding your SAD lamp in a drawer)?

And if you haven’t chosen your theme for March, now’s the time! Mine is “open up”, both literally (hello, fresh air) and figuratively (hello, new ideas).

What’s yours? And how can you start playing with it right now?

Spring is coming. Open up to it.

P.S And if you’re looking for a bigger creative reset, I’ll be running The Artist’s Way from mid-March onwards. If you need a nudge to reclaim your creativity, consider this your sign! More details coming soon… But every Wednesday at 1pm for next 12 weeks.

P.P.S PLUS!!!! Please put the 13th march at 2.30pm in your diary (for all paid subscribers) as we have best selling author Preethi Nair giving us tips on how to get published as well as sharing her empowering story to her three book deal.

Photo by Aurora Fox on Unsplash