A Spring Syllabus For The Gentle Creative

resources and inspiration for embracing a kind, balanced approach for seasonal creativity

Maybe it’s the academically achieving eldest daughter in me - but I desperately love a syllabus. Give me a fresh list of resources, learning materials, and deadlines, and I’m in my fullest form!

With my collegiate days very far behind me, I figured with all of spring’s fresh energy, now is the perfect time to create a little syllabus for the creative types (like myself) who maybe need a little motivation to lean in to seek out spring’s bountiful seasonal joys.

I’ve always loved a project, a prompt, and a little structure in the great madness that is creativity.

In our little spring syllabus, we’ll cover…

• Reading, listening, and viewing lists of resources for you to get into that early spring, new chapter energy

• A spring-inspired self-care checklist … because we’re defrosting ourselves just in time for warm weather, baby!

• A bucket list of early spring seasonal joys to seek out, filled with lots of hope-infused joys and glimmers

• Seasonally inspired gentle creativity prompts, specially made for the artists and creatives who are seeking hope and renewed vivacity

• Journal prompts to help you usher in that new chapter, spring equinox reset button… a must-have to get into the spirit!

So without further ado, gentle creatives, here is your spring syllabus! May it inspire renewed hope and energy for you!

READING LIST

A collection of reading suggestions that just illustrate that perfect renewed, fresh spring energy. Some set during the peak of April’s natural wonder, others highlight the budding promise of tomorrow…

• Emma by Jane Austen

• The Secret Garden

• Leaves of Grass

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• The Wind in the Willows

• The Princess Bride

• Far From the Madding Crowd

• Anne of Green Gables

LISTENING RESOURCES

Songs for early spring mix together jumping in rain puddles, magnolia tree sitting dreamscape. Sounds that feel romantic and lush, but also playful, with a touch of dreariness. Here are some of my favorite spring-bent songs featured in my playlist.. but feel free to download the full playlist below!

• The “Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack”

• Phoebe Bridger’s cover of “It’s Friday, I’m In Love”

• “April Come She Will” by Simon & Garfunkel

• “Emmy Lou” by First Aide Kit

• “Rain Slicker” by Josh Ritter

VIEWING LIST

Who doesn’t love a lush, spring setting for a movie binge sesh? Here are some of my favorite spring-time vibe movies.

• The Princess Diaries

• Howl's Moving Castle

• Big Fish

• Bambi

• The Sound Of Music

• Eat, Pray, Love

• My Neighbor Totoro

• She’s All That

SELF CARE CHECKLIST

• Sort your spring wardrobe.

• Start a new book.

• Open your windows.

• Book a solo date.

• Add something fun to your beauty routine. Whether it’s a new lip treatment, or a fun little luxury toothpaste…

• Get a fresh haircut. That “fresh out the salon” feeling just cannot be beat! Get some pep in your step!

• Go on a morning coffee walk. Bonus points if you get a little seasonal, spring time inspired treat and put your springtime playlist on!

• Go to a farmers market haul. There’s nothing better than a trip to the farmers market when all the fresh, new produce and herbs are a-plenty! Nourish your body with some of that local goodness.

SEEKING SEASONAL JOYS

• Watch the sunrise. Mark the notion of “brighter days ahead!”

• Floral frenzy. Buy tulips, pick daffodils, and document the blooming crocuses and magnolia trees. After the stale months of winter, celebrate the bursting colors that are all around you.

• Lean into the seasonal berries. Strawberry or blueberry coffees, teas, and matcha make sense in March and April!

• Eat a peanut butter egg. Hunt down a nearby church that sells those old-fashioned chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs. Be instantly transported back to your childhood savoring each decadent, rich bite. (For my UK-based friends, do you know what I’m talking about? I honestly don’t know if this is a thing outside of the US… but feel free to swap out your Cadbury cream eggs!)

• Read something deliciously fun outside. It’s finally warm enough to enjoy some rays of sunshine! Go savor it.

• Create a spring vision board. New beginnings call for new visions and goals. Take the time to collect images, words, and colors that refresh your Q2 ambitions.

• Plant something. Get your hands messy and plant some new greenery and new life. Whether it’s a potted plant for your living room or a new annual flower for your fire escape landing, getting a green thumb requires patience and attention.

• Listen to bird songs. Open the windows on a sunny morning. Eliminate your distractions (phones, alarms, television, and any and all audio/visual items) and simply enjoy the beautiful symphony nature provides each day.

• Do some spring cleaning in three spaces. Find three little crevices in your home to spruce up.

• Walk through a garden. Bonus points if you walk barefoot in some grass!

• Bring a plant to your workplace. Taking care of something in an otherwise drab space feels good.

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Pssst… I have one article a month as a paid option each month. As a full-time teacher with a serious goal of 2025 being the year of becoming a paid writer, I deeply appreciate your support. If you financially can’t afford an upgrade right now, but believe this is critical to your creative goals this year, send me a message. I’ll give you this post for free.

10 SEASONAL CREATIVE PROMPTS & 10 JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR THAT RENEWED, EARLY SPRING ENERGY