My Version Of Therapy – What’s Saving My Life This Pre-Spring

I have a one bunny a year rule.

What does that mean?

It means, I limit myself to purchasing only 1 new bunny each year.

Why?

Because if you know me, then you know my #1 hobby is to collect shells, all the shells.

And then sometimes, I decorate with them.

In fact?

This blog post, “21 Simple Ways To Decorate With Shells” is my #1 pinned post on Pinterest.

And coming in close at second place?

Rght behind my crazy shell collecting obsession is…

Bunnies.

Give me all the bunnies.

Yes, right on the tail (see what I did there) 🙂 of my shell collection, is my bunny collection.

So, yes.

In an attempt of executing some sense of self control…

A few years ago I implemented my personal “one new bunny a year rule.”

And?

I have to say.

It is freeing.

And also?

It makes this pre-spring season a little extra fun, to wonder where and how I will find that one special, new bunny, that is worthy to fill that single bunny vacancy, every year.

Today on the blog, I am sharing the little every day things that are saving my life right now in this pre-Spring season.

Because?

I’m not sure about the weather outside your door.

But, here in Maryland?

We are going on day 6 of stringing gray, gloomy days of rain, wintry mixes and a sunless sky together.

And so?

I think it’s perfect timing to call out and name those tiny threads in our days that help to hold us together and keep us afloat, when the season lingering in the air…is somewhat dreary.

Curious to find out who is worthy to be selected as Mr. Bunny 2026?

Let’s find out.

Because, Mr. 2026 Bunny is just one of the handful of things, practices and observations that are saving my current life, right now.

And as my favorite podcaster, Emily P. Freeman says, when it comes to this list and what is saving our lives?

Everything counts.

Follow me friend.

My Version Of Therapy – What’s Saving My Life This Pre-Spring

Decorating for Spring with my Bunny Collection

Meet Mr. 2026 Bunny.

Isn’t he just perfect?

Livvy and I happened to find him when we were browsing together at a local monthly furniture market.

The market is only open one weekend a month and it had been a few years since I had made the time to pop in.

And, I am so glad I did!

As soon as I saw this gold bunny, I knew he was the one!

As you can see, he is joining the bunny hood with some very sweet and cute bunny neighbors.

The ceramic bunny to the left was a gift from my Mom, when we went shopping together a few years ago. We found the tall, ceramic standing bunny at my favorite small furniture shop, Cocalico Creek, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The trio of bunnies is a vintage keepsake, given to me by our dear neighbor, who thoughtfully gifted it to me when he learned years ago of my very special bunny obsession. 🙂

It’s one of my very favorite spring decor pieces.

decorating with my bunny collection is my therapy

Here’s a few more bunnies from my collection over the years.

The lidded trinket bunny box on the left, is one of the special pieces that has stood the test of time and has made it from my childhood bedroom to my now, home office shelf.

The sleeping bunny on the top shelf is a thrifted bunny from back in the early 2000’s, when I was in my mid-20’s.

Yes, my love for thrifting goes way back.

I remember finding her in an antique market, filled with all kinds of STUFF and she just spoke to my bunny loving heart…and I’ve loved her every since.

A cutie bunny clock took the title of Mr. Bunny 2019.

I mean, how much more adorable does it get than a bunny that is a clock!

I have my bunny clock tucked beside a bowl of the decoupaged Easter eggs the girls and I made a few years ago.

The bunny dish holding the decoupaged eggs above, is another thrifted bunny find from years ago.

You can see the step by step tutorial HERE in this post: “How to Decoupage Easter Eggs & Make Lasting Traditons”

Here’s another bunny that made the bunny cut…

If you’ve been around here for awhile, then you may remember this bunny’s transformation…

That sweet gold bunny used to look like this –

Until?

I rescued him off the shelf of our local Goodwill and gave him a bath in gold spray paint. 🙂

He got his spring back in his hop that year and he’s been hoppier ever since.

Here’s one more bunny before we hop to what’s next on the list of my personal version of pre-Spring therapy.

This sweet bunny pillow was something I purchased when I was pregnant with Eve in 2009.

We never found out what we were having with all three of our pregnancies and every time in the delivery room, it was such a delightful surprise!

And because, we never knew if we were having a boy or a girl, I decorated the baby nursery in neutrals and yes…

You guessed it.

Bunnies. 🙂

Oh!

Here’s one more bonus bunny with a backstory.

I bet you didn’t have me pegged as a counted cross-stitcher…

While pregnant with Eve, I made this counted cross stitch bunny and had it framed in a gender neutral color mat and frame and hung it on the wall of the baby nursery…

And now?

She hopped downstairs and is enjoying her second act performance as Spring kitchen counter decor! 🙂

Framing throwback photos in black & white is my therapy

Yesterday, I gave a presentation at our local Chamber of Commerce and as I was preparing my slides, I found myself going down the rabbit hole ( I could’t help myself 🙂 of some of our older family photos, which I wound up including in my small business presentation.

Some of my favorite photos from when our girls were younger, like these….

And one of my all time favorite photos –

Our very first picture as a complete family of five.

And once I finished that presentation at the chamber?

I realized how much JOY it brought me to see, show and share these special snap shot moments of our past.

And so?

I drove straight to HomeSense and picked up a few new photo frames.

Then, I edited the pictures on my phone to black and white and printed them within minutes at CVS.

And a few minutes later, I was home and playing with my new “decor.”

Having fun determining which frame worked best for each photo…

And now?

If you walked through our front door today…

You would not only have a few friendly bunnies greeting you from our entryway table.

You would also see one of my most treasured family photos front and center.

I can’t even explain what a simple joy it was, printing these throwback family photos out and framing them in black and white.

It just makes me happy to showcase some of our history, especially as I continue to hold dear…

The treasure of time together.

And of course.

There must be bunnies nearby. 🐇

Woven Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture

Some of the new black and white framed photos made it to my bookshelves too, right under that sleeping beauty bunny…

Gentle Jogging & Walking is saving my life

You may remember from this post, that I have found a deep sense of peace and perspective while jogging through our local cemetery.

I know, it sounds strange.

But, I would encourage you to go back and read this post: “Where Are You Finding Yourself Lately?”

In order to understand how this unusual place and practice has become a sacred touchstone and rhythm that continues to save my life.

Especially right now, as I find myself jogging through this place again…here in this pre-Spring season.

The different thing about this mental health jogging rhythm, right now?

Is that, my usual morning jog time isn’t working for me, with my interior design business schedule.

And so?

I have found myself jogging through here again…

Only this time, at dusk.

And the unexpected treasure I found waiting for me, by this one tiny tweak of time, inside a practice I have leaned on again and again for peace and heart posturing…

Is the lights that greeted me upon my path…

I had to stop.

Take my ear buds out.

And turn in a circle, just to look around…and breathe…and remember….

Whatever is weighing on my heart right now…

This too shall pass.

Because, the time will pass anyway…

It’s what we do within the time, how we show up, even on the gloomy days –

It’s the heart’s posture, while it’s beating – that counts.

A Few More Tiny Random Bits That Are Saving My Pre-Spring Life

Tulips on my kitchen counter

If you missed last week’s post, go back and read “How To Create A Simple Spring Home Refresh” –

The post is full of tips on how to refresh your home for Spring, AND how to make fresh cut tulips last longer.

Snowdrops blooming in our front yard

Is it even March if I don’t show you a picture of the snowdrops blooming in our front flower bed?

These snowdrops are my favorite flower.

Because, once I see their tiny green and white stalks sprouting from the ground…

I am filled with fresh hope…that Spring really is coming soon.

And in fun fact news?

These snowdrops are transplants from the Christmas tree farm I grew up on, hand delivered to me, from my Dad. Because he knows how much they mean to me.

Thanks Dad.

Thrifting is my therapy this winter

I feel like you saw this one coming. 🙂

But your girl here is no stranger to a thrift store.

I love popping in frequently, especially this time of year.

Why?

Because, this time of year tends to be the time, when all the people are full of inspiration to clean out their closets and purge all the stuff.

Which means?

One mans trash is another woman’s treasure of course.

And that woman?

That woman = is me.

Hello sweet blue and white dish, welcome to your new home.

decorating with faux spring stems is therapy

I bought these artificial bougainvillea stems last year from Amazon and I just brought them up from the basement to arrange in my home office.

I love the color and vibrancy they bring to the space!

Decorating for my home with heather clients

Extra Long Sofa Console Table // Scalloped Edge Baskets // Banyan Leaf Artificial Stems //

Ceramic Round Vase

Earlier this year, I introduced a new service in my Home with Heather interior decorating business.

I am thrilled that so many people are taking advantage of the “Room Refresh In A Day” package!

This package is all about adding the finishing touches to a space such as:

• Console Table
• Table & Floor Lamps
• Area Rugs
• Table Decor
• Wall Art
• Greenery
• Throw Pillows
• Small Accessory Decor

Often times, I am briefly meeting my client in their home in the morning and then returning a few hours later, with a car full of the perfect decor pieces to accessorize and elevate their spaces!

This is just one small vignette of decor I sourced and styled recently for my client’s family room.

Winnie biscuit puppy

If you are finding yourself on the fence about getting a dog.

Or if you are trying to decide if you should give in to the kid’s constant please for “a second dog.”

This is your sign.

Get the dog already people.

Earlier this week, while working from home, I went downstairs to the basement to grab something and came back to find this –

Winnie Biscuit Krout has brought so much laughter, joy and yes, a few early mornings to our lives.

But trust me, these fur balls will save your life, if you let them.

Last but not least on the list of what is my personal therapy in this pre-Spring, Wintry mix season…

reading at night & lighting a candle

I used to save reading for pleasure for only “Beach Heather.”

In other words?

I felt guilty.

Reading for pleasure while I was at home, when certainly there are more critical and important things that needing tending to, felt like a practice that I didn’t have time to afford.

And so?

I reserved reading for pleasure, while on vacation in the Summer, at the beach.

Man, have I been missing out!

This practice of nightly reading is such a calming routine and one I find myself looking forward to again and again every day.

Oh!

And bonus points, if you light a candle! 🙂

Well friend, that brings us to a close on the chapter of what is saving my life in Winter and in these right now days, patiently waiting for Spring to arrive.

I hope that naming these simple and small things will help you to recognize and call out those tiny rhythms, those small details of your day…that just HELP soften the step towards your next moment that awaits your breath.

Living on a prayer,

Heather