In the past, March tended to be a month that I used to dread—I self-proclaimed it as my least favorite month for years and years!

Usually, I struggled with wanting to see springtime, and this month was still usually more winter-like. The trees were still without leaves, the grass was brownish instead of its usual green of springtime, and the temperatures were still hovering around just chilly enough to not be fully warm weather.

However, in trying to live with more joy, I have come to see there are some special parts of March that truly are such a joy to experience. Here are 10 joyful things about March—see if any resonate with you!

#1: “In like a lion…out like a lamb”

The old March saying of “In like a lion, out like a lamb” is such a great reminder when the harshness of winter still may be present at the start of the month, there is the hope of more springlike weather and temperatures are ahead. I love the feeling of hope that warmer days are on the horizon!

Lorie Hill on Scrapbook.com has this lovely poem with this phrase!

“March roars in like a lion

So fierce,

The wind so cold,

It seems to pierce.

The month rolls on

And Spring draws near,

And March goes out

Like a lamb so dear.”

I also found this interesting article about the the background of the phrase, “In like a lion, out like a lamb”!

#2: That Earthy Smell

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but sometime during March when the ground starts to soften again with the little bit warmer temperatures, there’s this wonderful earthy smell in the air that I just love.

It smells so grounding, so natural, and it is just what spring would smell like. It truly is such a joy to smell every year this month!

#3: Daylight Saving Time

In a recent conversation with my aunt, she reminded me of March’s daylight saving time change—well for most of us in the States that is!

How sweet is it to get that extra hour of sunlight back into our days. A reminder of the exciting warmer, longer days ahead!!!

Plus, there is such a little bit of thrill getting to change time in November and in March. It reminds us how strangely unique this existence is that we have the power to change time (at least for those states that do observe daylight savings!).

#4: St. Patrick’s Day

There’s just something about St. Patrick’s Day that I—personally— have always loved. Maybe it’s the green or maybe it’s the whole feeling of celebration, but this day really feels like the holiday that kicks off springtime!

Born in Great Britain in the latter half of the 300s A.D., Saint Patrick became a prisoner in his teens when he was captured by Irish raiders. During his time as a prisoner, Saint Patrick became more devout in his faith of Christianity. After escaping from prison, Saint Patrick began to experience dreams where God spoke to him telling him to go to Ireland and convert and minister the Irish to/in Christianity. In doing so, Saint Patrick used many Irish concepts (like the clover) to explain Christian concepts. It is belived he passed on March 17th which is why St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th every year. (Source: History.com and Time.com)

In celebration of St. Patty’s Day, here is one of my favorite Irish proverb.

May peace and plenty bless your world

With a joy that long endures

And may all life’s passing seasons

Bring the best to you and yours.

-Found via Country Living

Here are some ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

• Read some: 25 Irish Sayings/Proverbs With Translations And Meanings
• Check out this interesting post: Top 20 Irish Celtic Symbols And Their Meanings Explained
• Watch Waking Ned Devine
• Watch P.S. I Love You
• Read this quick article all about the shamrock: The History of the Shamrock
• Check out this fun video of the people of Galway, Ireland singing along to Galway Girl: Galway Girl-Sharon Shannon, Mundy & Galway City
• And this video of people in Athenry, Ireland singing “The Fields of Athenry”: The Fields Of Athenry – World’s Biggest Street Performance by Athenry Town & KamilFilms 2019
• Listen to some Irish music: Irish Dance, Irish Folk, and Voice of Ages are all playlists that I enjoy!
• Listen to this Rick Steves’ podcast episode all about Ireland: 398a Traditional Irish Music; Being Irish; Belfast and/or this one: 398 Traditional Irish Music; How to Be Irish; Exploring Belfast 
• Listen to this beautiful song sung by The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin: Mo Ghille Mear (My Gallant Hero) – The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

#5: Seeing Signs of Flowers

Spring really does feel near when you to start to see flowers begin to come through the ground (and maybe even bloom!).

I love flowers, and some of my favorite flowers to see are daffodils and hyacinths. With their bright yellow color, daffodils are such a nice cheery flower to see when they start coming in March. Likewise, the smell of hyacinth is just a smell that encapsulates springtime to me! But, I must say… I have fallen in love with double tulips the most.

#6: The First Day of Spring

Falling somewhere between the 19th, 20th and 21st of March, Spring Equinox arrives and officially shifts us into the spring season!

According to ShopatMAP.org,

“The Spring Equinox is an annual astronomical event to witness the balance that comes with an equal day and night.” -ShopatMAP.org

Historically, this day has been celebrated and honored by ancient civilizations around the world.
HISTORY.com writes that the Mayans and the druids and pagans at Stonehenge both have honored and commemorated spring equinox.

Rhythms of Play writes,

“The spring equinox, also known as Ostara, has been celebrated as a time of fertility, rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings for thousands of years.” -Rhythms of Play

Here’s some ideas for celebrating spring’s equinox:

• Learn more about equinoxes through National Geographic’s post on equinoxes
• Read ShopatMAP.org’s article all about spring equinox celebrations around the world: The Spring Equinox: Celebrations in Cultures Around The World
• Look at these posts with some easy ways to celebrate the spring equinox: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Spring Equinox and Spring Equinox Rituals and Traditions
• Check out this post on ways to celebrate spring equinox: Fun Spring Equinox Celebration Ideas
• Read this interesting article all about Burning of the Socks which happens on spring equinox every year!
• Watch this video all about the Burning of the Socks!
• Read The Pixies of Bloom with a child in your life! *Authenticity Note: I have not personally read this book, but it has nice reviews!

#7: The Flowering Trees

I love love love when the trees regain their leaves and hear them blow in the wind later on in spring.

However, there is something special to be said about the stage of the year when the trees have flowers.

When the trees flower, it truly transforms this world into a new one. Suddenly trees that you were walking by or driving by become something extra special to look at. Such beauty trees are—and when they flower, they remind us of that!

#8: Birds Chirping

While you might hear birds chirping around the year, there’s something that feels extra joyful about birds chirping in springtime/during the month of March.

Hearing the birds chirping just feels so springtime and reminds us of the feelings of peace, hope, and excitement this season brings! Perhaps even more exciting is seeing signs of birds that were gone for the winter making their way back!

I recently came across these songs on Spotify which encompass that peacefulness and tranquility of hearing birds chirping outside: Blackbird Sing in Angelika’s Meadow and Changing Hues.

#9 The Greens

Green is both the favorite color of my mom and my brother, and it is easy to see why! There’s something about green that feels so grounding, so peaceful, and so connected to Earth. Plus, green is actually a color that helps to promote feelings related to joy!

In her book, The Little Book of Colour Karen Haller writes,

“[…] [T]he eye requires very little to no adjustment to be able to see [green]. It is, therefore, a very restful [color] for us, and indicative of balance and harmony.” -Karen Haller

Interestingly, Karen Haller also writes that,

“The deeper the green, the more we can feel its power to balance and rejuvenate us.” -Karen Haller

With March being the month of starting to see nature get a little more green, St. Patrick’s Day and spring equinox, and maybe feeling a little more balanced and harmonious knowing that spring is coming, green represents March so nicely!

#10: Warmer Temperatures and “Lighter” Wardrobes

How exciting is it when we start to get more consistently slightly warmer temperatures in March?

Maybe it is two days in the 40s, or 5 days in the 50s or a week in the 60s. Regardless, March brings that first taste of more consistent springtime temperatures!

I mentioned this in my 10 Joyful Things post on February, but I always enjoy observing people during these first warmer days of the year. People seem to transform in such beautiful ways. There’s an optimism, an uplifted-ness, and a true sense of aliveness in people when the warmth comes around!

Growing up, my childhood house was across the street from a dairy farm. One of my all-time favorite memories of this was when these warmer days would occur in March/April and the farmer would let the cows out in the pasture after being inside during the winter.

As soon as he did, those cows would be jumping, running, kicking and just stretching their legs while enjoying life—what a beautiful reminder to have fun and feel the joy that springtime brings!

If we take a step back, maybe we kind of look like that when warmer temperatures hit and we are able to switch out some of our winter gear for some lighter gear?

Either way, how freeing is it to experience a little bit of warmer weather in March?

Comment below: What’s something joyful about March to you?