Spring renewal always invokes ideas for a fresh start: clean out the garage, weed through your closet, rearrange your workspace. We find great joy in tackling these menial tasks which can leave us with a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

What if, this year, we look inward instead? What spring cleaning can we do on ourselves that may leave an even more profound sense of satisfaction? Are those menial tasks actually a projection of the fresh, new start we’d like in our lives as a whole?

Every day we wake up and jump into the same old routine. Often, we find comfort in those routines, even though they may not be serving us well.

Fresh starts come from fresh perspectives, but we often don’t stop the “human doing” long enough to realize how the “human being” is doing. This awareness can inspire simple changes that can make profound differences.

On these beautiful spring mornings, let’s pause and take time to check in with ourselves. Is your life overwhelming, or maybe underwhelming? Is your boundless energy enthusiasm or addiction to chaos? Is your fatigue from restless sleep, or a deeper restlessness?

Years ago, I changed my morning routine from making coffee and checking email to enjoying my coffee as I meditate in the sun. Before long, I realized this simple act helped lift my mood from the start and could change my entire day from reactive to proactive.

We all know the difference a good night’s sleep can make. Start your morning with 20 minutes of unfiltered sunlight without glasses or contacts, advises functional medicine doctor Jeralyn Brossfield, MD. This can reset your circadian rhythm and replenish melatonin naturally helping to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Overwhelmed? Remember, you make your lists. Are there things you can let go? You may feel bad about it to initially, but you’ll feel much better with lighter shoulders.

Underwhelmed? Try something new; add exhilaration to your life. Change your walking route and take in the new surroundings. Take a class. Create. Learn a new sport…I’m elated that at 59, I’ve just learned how to haul a trailer which opens the door for both opportunity and adventure.

Welcome spring with a fresh new perspective inside and out and see where simple changes can take you.