Welcome to Issue 103 of Clearly YOU. Every second Wednesday, I serve up ideas that help you share the clearest, realest, most unforgettable version of yourself with the world. Not a subscriber? Let's fix that: https://kimscaravelli.com/newsletter/
If you live somewhere with seasons, you can feel it starting.
Not in a big, dramatic way. More like… small cracks in the season. A little more light at the end of the day. People lingering outside a bit longer. Coats still on, but unzipped.
There’s a shift happening, and it’s not just in the weather. It shows up in our words and our tone.
In the winter, our language gets heavier. We default to more formal, more polished versions of ourselves. It’s hard to describe, but it happens as reliably as the seasons.
For me, the shift is subtle at first. “Hi” turns into “Good morning.” Boom. Heavier.
By the time April rolls around, my emails and social posts sound like they’ve been run through a British Royal Family filter. Is that a thing? It should be.
And then, just as quietly, it starts to lift.
Back to “Hi.”
Back to “Cheers.”
Back to sounding a bit more like myself.
Cool Quote
“Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party.'”
Robin Williams
Let's Loosen Things Up
The shift to a lighter tone and a more relaxed vibe often happens naturally, as we get more daylight and warmth.
But honestly… 2026 has been a heavy year so far, so we might need to be a bit more deliberate and help things along.
Nothing dramatic. Just a few easy tweaks:
Lighten your workspace.
This may be as simple as adding a plant or a scented soy candle. Maybe switch your lightbulbs from “cool white” to “warm white.” Declutter. Tidy things up. Lift the mood.
Consciously adjust your email messages.
Where appropriate, replace “Hello” and “Good morning” with “Hi,” and swap your sign-off “Sincerely” with “Cheers.” Tone lives in the details. Try a few more contractions, too, especially “I’m” where you’d normally write “I am.” It softens your tone immediately.
Share something lighter.
Skip the talking-head reels and carousel posts filled with advice, just for a week or so. Instead, share photos or short, unfiltered videos of your new plant, your lunch, something you noticed on a walk. Not everything has to teach something. Sometimes, it’s enough to just be you and add a bit of brightness.
If this feels a bit silly or frivolous… excellent.
Because that’s the note I’m trying to hit. Spring is a good time to lighten up and let a little more joy in. It’s good for your soul, and it helps build relationships with the folks you want to work with. It really does.
Stuff Worth Sharing
🪴If the idea of adding a plant to your workspace sounds lovely, but you’re already picturing it wilting within a week, I’ve got you.
These are easy to keep alive and safe for pets, whether you work from home or take your fur-baby to the office:
Spider Plant – very forgiving, grows easily, and hard to kill
Areca Palm – bright, airy, and low-maintenance
Parlour Palm – great in lower light, very easy to live with
Boston Fern – lush and easy to find locally, especially in spring (just give it a bit of water and don’t let it dry out completely)
If you have a plant that's both gorgeous and indestructible, tell me what it is so I can buy one. And send a photo.
For the Word Nerds
When you change the words you use to communicate, your emotions subtly shift to align with your choices. It’s called cognitive reframing.
So the little bump in your mood when you lighten your language? It’s real.
Better yet… your language and tone can act as an emotional contagion. Emotions spread through our words.
So yes… you have the ability to make the day a little lighter for others.
That’s a pretty good use of words.
Enjoying Clearly YOU? Share it with a friend!
Want fast tips to help you communicate with more clarity? My book, Making Words Work, is all about keeping it easy and doable.
🩷 Thanks for reading. If anything resonated with you, let me know. I love hearing from readers.
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