Spring Is a Subtle Stress Test

Why Does Spring Increase Stimuli Faster Than Capacity?

Spring is a new beginning that awakens us and restores hope and vitality after the long, numbing autumn and winter. In cities and along running trails, people appear active and cheerful. Yards come to life as preparations for summer begin.

The spring sun brings energy, but it also creates a spring overwhelm, a subtle illusion of summer, vacation, and increased capacity. Schools are still in session, work may be at its busiest point of the year, and in reality, free time is limited.

Your capacity hasn’t actually increased yet, but your mind is already filling with stimuli, expectations, and options for how to spend your time.

Are you taking a false start into summer?

Spring is a stress test—a moment when the environment tests your direction. So which activities will you choose, and what is truly “your thing”?

ADHD mind in spring: more starts, fewer completions

If I don’t start something new, will spring pass me by? We are exposed to more models of activities now than at any other time of year. Boats being prepped in yards, mountain bikes loaded onto cars, photographers by the seaside, runners with new gear. I need to focus on not picking up too many ideas from what others are doing.

Starting is easy, but continuing is not. Attention shifts quickly to the next idea. What felt important a week ago is easily left unfinished. Also read: ADHD as an adult (March 5th, 2025). It may be worth focusing on two or three activities, maintaining them, and building a sense of progress. What are your top three activities you want to stick with?

How the News Feed Quietly Hijacks Your Attention

When my motivation for exercise took a hit due to back issues and the longest month-long flu of my life, it was easy for me to hook myself into following the geopolitical situation and the war. You could call it my latest fixation, because it has taken priority over all other activities.

I’ve found myself weighing which would bother me more—skipping a swim or a padel session, or not being up to date on drone strikes or controversial statements by presidents.

In my case, this is also about so-called escapism or experiential avoidance, where I avoid my own uncomfortable emotions and redirect my attention elsewhere. When I stay on top of global events, my state of mind is no longer shaped only by my own life and concerns.

So I don’t follow the news just to stay informed—sometimes I follow it to stay away from myself.

How to Stay on Track When Your Mind Keeps Wandering

In spring, ideas multiply faster than we can execute them. The problem is usually not motivation—but selection.

I wanted to sleep well, lose some weight, and look better—maybe eat a bit healthier too. In January and February, I was on a fairly good track, until there was an unavoidable setback.

Now getting back on course requires a bit of force. Fortunately, there has been enough inactivity lately to make it easier to get moving again. You may already remember that I never get motivated to exercise if my mind isn’t aligned and my thoughts aren’t structured.

Spring Minimum Standard: Is It Enough to Just Keep Moving?

I don’t need a new life or a perfect plan. I write when I feel like it, and I start moving again. Small movement keeps the right direction alive.

I won’t give my whole day to the news or the blog. I’ll try to reconnect with people. I’ll avoid loading the day with too many demands—instead, make one good choice at a time, find good energy around me, and let it show (the link leads to the blog’s Spotify playlist with a guaranteed feel-good spring track).

How are you going to balance goals and ease this spring? What is the one thing you won’t compromise on?