For most people, the start of a new year is the time to set big goals. Whether it’s the special quality of the holiday or the fact that everyone is putting energy into their resolutions at the same time, it’s hard to imagine doing otherwise. But consider this: What if January 1st isn’t the most conducive timeline for making lasting changes in your life? After all, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, the new year is in the dead of winter when you’d rather be cozying up with a book and sinking into rest.

“What if January 1st isn’t the most conducive timeline for making lasting changes in your life?”

While January may mark a new year on our calendar, celebrations of a new year vary depending on different cultures. The Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, usually falls in September or October. The Hindu new year, Diwali, is usually in October or November. The Chinese or Lunar New Year is usually at the end of January or the beginning of February. 

It might be just because my birthday is March 21 — the first day of spring, as well as the first day of Aries season on the astrological calendar — but I’ve always felt that it was the perfect time for setting goals. The fact that my personal new year falls on the first day of spring has always felt witchy and meaningful to me. I get to celebrate another lap around the sun as flowers start to bloom and the world begins to wake up around me.

I’ve come to realize that it isn’t just me. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and it has this fiery, playful, almost childlike wonder to it. There’s a curiosity and determination to Aries that you can feel stirring in the air around you when spring starts. Harnessing this energy is powerful when it comes to goal setting. It allows you to zoom in on what you want to cultivate in your life and approach it with a sense of curiosity but also with the determination to set things in motion.

Anyone can tap into this energy and use the spring equinox to go after their goals –– no matter when your actual birthday is!

How to cultivate your desire from winter to spring

Winter can create a sense of yearning that is useful. Yearning isn’t always a bad thing, yearning is akin to daydreaming in that it shows you what you truly desire. Winter allows us to turn inwards and reflect on what we want to call in and create in our lives. In my opinion, the colder months are best used for this kind of growth that is necessary before we go for our goals.

“Spring is when everything comes back to life, including your motivation.”

Rest allows your desires to build — so that once the sun starts peeking out again and plants start to bloom, you have clarity on what seeds you want to plant! (Or which ones you’ve already planted.) With spring comes a renewal of energy. The sun starts shining more steadily, rain sprinkles down, and it’s time to start taking action on the things you’ve been desiring. Spring is when everything comes back to life, including your motivation. After all that rest, it’s time to use the energy of spring to bring your desires to life.

How to work towards your goals this season

This year, the spring equinox falls on March 20. I love using the days leading up to the seasonal change to really hone in on what I want to focus on in the next chapter of my life. This always involves setting aside time to sit with myself and my journal so I can think about where I’ve been and where I’m going. Understanding what I would like to change from the year prior and what values are most important to me allows me to set goals that are truly a reflection of me and my desires.

You can use these journal prompts to help you as you reflect:

  • What am I most proud of that I’ve accomplished in the last year?
  • What would I have liked to put more energy into?
  • What values are most important for me to prioritize this year? (Creativity, connection, etc.)
  • What am I desiring in this upcoming year?

After reflecting and getting into a heart-centered place, I then create more tangible goals. My favorite way to do this is with a simple Google Doc. You can also find great goal-setting templates on platforms like Canva and Notion.

“After reflecting and getting into a heart-centered place, I then create more tangible goals.”

Me? I like it simple and straightforward, so I make a Google Sheet and divide it into different tabs. Each tab represents a different area of my life. I have one for business goals, one for personal goals, and one for financial goals.

Under each tab, I create two columns. On the left side, it says “Goal” and on the right side, it says “Habits Required.” This allows me to write out and organize my goals while also figuring out what habits are required so I can reach them.

For example, one personal goal of mine is to wake up at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays. The habits required for that are to cut off screen time at 9:30 p.m., give myself plenty of wind-down time, shut my eyes by 10:30 p.m., avoid alcohol as much as possible, and limit caffeine after 2 p.m.

Find a system that works for you. One that allows you to get clear on your goals and how to reach them, without getting overwhelmed. Think about this phase as giving the “seeds” that you’ve sown what they need to grow.

Embracing the ease and energy of spring

One of the reasons it’s so much easier to go after your goals in the spring is that you have more energy than you did in the winter. Your social calendar might be getting booked up, you have fun trips and adventures planned. Your life is starting to pick up and become exciting again –– it’s really powerful to move with that energy. And why not make it more easeful to achieve your goals?

You also might have energy-building habits that are easier to maintain in the spring. Things like spending more time outside or eating more seasonal produce from the farmers market can make a huge difference in your overall energy levels, too.

“Take this as an invitation to utilize spring’s renewal, and the fiery determination of Aries season to go after your goals and the things you desire the most.”

Newton’s First Law of Motion states, “An object in motion stays in motion.” The same is true when it comes to going after your goals. Sometimes it’s easier to create and build when you have this momentum going, when more things are happening in your life, rather than trying to move from a place of rest and lethargy in the winter.

You can set goals anytime of the year, but the energy of spring offers a different kind of motivation and fire that you just can’t get anywhere else. So take this as an invitation to utilize spring’s renewal, and the fiery determination of Aries season to go after your goals and the things you desire the most. 

Let us know in the comments how you’re harnessing the energy of spring to move toward your desires. We love to be inspired by you!

Natasha Weiss is a Pacific Northwest-based health and wellness copywriter and full-spectrum doula. When she’s not typing away, she loves immersing herself in bodies of water, wandering through ancient forests, and anything and everything to do with food. You can learn more about her work on natashaweiss.com or connect on Instagram.