Long before January 1st was branded as the start of a new year, many ancient civilizations aligned their calendars with the rhythm of the earth. And it made sense: spring is when life returns. The days grow longer, the cold thaws, flowers bloom, and the energy shifts from hibernation to creation.

Even the ancient Roman calendar started the year in March, named after Mars, the god of war and vitality. January and February were added later. To the Romans, March marked the time to resume public life, initiate new campaigns, and re-enter society after the dark, reflective winter.

In Persian culture, Nowruz (new day) is still celebrated today on the spring equinox, marking the Persian New Year. In addition to the grand celebration, Nowruz is honored with a deep clean of the home, setting a “Haft-Seen” table with seven items representing rebirth, health, and prosperity, while paying homage to fire, water, and light.

Other cultures that celebrated the New Year during the Spring Equinox include the Babylonians, who observed an eleven-day festival known as Akitu. In the Jewish tradition, the month of Nisan—considered the first month of the year—also falls around March or April and marks a time of renewal. And of course, we can’t forget the pagan festival of Ostara, which honors fertility, growth, and the balance of light and dark.

So if January didn’t hit right, don’t worry. It wasn’t supposed to. The real new year is happening now. In the soil. In your body. In your soul. And here are our favorite ways you can reset and realign this month.

Deep Clean: The best way to welcome the new is to get rid of the old. So start with a deep clean of your environment. And by deep, we mean everything. Get on your hands and knees and tend to the corners of your space, the ones you’ve been pretending not to see. Dust the baseboards, scrub your tiles, and finally tackle those hard-to-reach places. While you’re at it, toss out that 2010s moto jacket you’re secretly hoping will come back in style. Set a pile aside for donations and eliminate anything that no longer embodies the new version of you. Maybe go as far as redecorating your apartment.

It will be a dull and burdensome task, but try not to see it as a chore, rather, a favor to your future self. Set an intention, and when all is done, buy some fresh flowers, light a candle, and maybe pop open a celebratory glass of bubbly. Relax and express some gratitude for your space, your effort, and a positive new year.

Create Your Vision Board: Perhaps you already have your vision board. Or perhaps you haven’t had the mental bandwidth to think past tomorrow (we see you and your winter blues). Either way, April is the perfect time to reevaluate and rebuild that momentum that got lost somewhere in the dark, foggy January mornings.

As April brings new showers, you can bring forth new goals, inspiration, and motivation. So, get clear on what you want this year to look like. What toxic cycles and habits are you ready to release? How many hours are you willing to commit to the gym to finally get that dream body? What skills, languages, or sports have you been dying to learn? Print, cut, and paste pictures representing your goals and desires, and place them somewhere where you’ll see them every day.

But don’t stop there. If you want 2025 to be the year, you need to create a plan. What does your daily schedule look like? Weekly? How many hours of practice do you need every month? Get specific, create a schedule that works with you, and start tomorrow. The New Year is here, and your future self is waiting for you to rise and meet her.

Do a Gentle Detox & Glow Reset: Deep cleaning your environment is essential, but don’t forget the ultimate sanctuary: your body. It deserves a reset, too. Start simply. Sip warm lemon water at sunrise, reach for dandelion tea at dusk, and flood your system with hydration and greens. Begin incorporating daily detoxing rituals such as dry brushing or tongue scraping. Eliminate refined sugars, processed foods, and anything that doesn’t nourish your body.

Ready for a deeper reset? Opt for a one-week juice cleanse. Or, for the seasoned and spiritually inclined, try a 24- to 72-hour water fast for clarity and cellular renewal. Your body is a sacred space. It deserves a deep cleanse, too.

Host a Mini Retreat at Home: As if you needed an excuse to gather the girls. But if you do, let it be for a fresh beginning: an intimate spring retreat, styled your way.

Host a soft, sun-drenched brunch and focus on the details. Think fresh blooms, linen napkins, and a menu that screams spring: citrus salads, herbal spritzers, and a lemon-olive oil cake. Set the tone with a feminine playlist and invite your guests to engage in soul-nourishing rituals: a DIY facial station, journaling prompts, or a clothing swap.

If you’re craving solo serenity, run a bath laced with petals and essential oils, and put your phone on do not disturb. Journal about the version of you you’re stepping into. Reflect, reset, and relax.

Spend Time in Nature: Let spring be an invitation to step outside and remember that you, too, are part of something living, blooming, and growing. Go for a long meditative walk in nature. Hug a tree (yes, really). Feel the grounding weight of your body on the earth. Visit a new hiking trail or that local waterfall that’s been sitting in your “travel” folder on Instagram. Let your senses reawaken to the scent of damp soil, the symphony of birdsong, the texture of bark against your palms.

If you’re tight on time, you can also bring nature to you. Plant a single flower on your windowsill or start an herb garden in a sunny corner of your kitchen. Even the smallest reconnection to nature can rekindle your sense of wonder, grounding you in the present and helping you align with the natural rhythms of the season.

Spring is nature’s quiet rebirth, subtle yet powerful, soft but undeniable. It reminds us that the sun always comes out, no matter how long and dark those winter months may seem. The new year has always belonged to spring. To the unearthed buds. To the light returning. To you.

So let this season be your second chance at a new year. Now go reset, realign, and rise.