Spring Cleaning: The Perfect Time to Dust Yourself Off

by DeRae Crane

Congratulations! If you’re reading this and living in the northern hemisphere, that means you’ve just about made it through another winter. Spring is upon us. The north will soon throw off its winter coat, burst with vibrant colors, and beckon us outside to play, congregate, and adventure. I don’t know about you, but I have always felt the urge to tackle the long-overdue projects that I put off over winter. Spring cleaning should not only be focused on physical clutter, but as a chance to declutter our lives, our habits, and our minds.

Ahhh, the satisfaction of an organized, fresh smelling space after a thorough cleaning. But the benefits can go far beyond our senses and aesthetics. Studies have shown that clutter can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even difficulty focusing. A cluttered environment creates a constant low-level mental strain as our brains (subconsciously) try to process the clutter around us. Our brains are something else, think of the clutter as open windows on your computer – slowing it down. Spring is the time to close those open windows, and programs running in the background bogging you down.

By decluttering our lives, we create the foundation for growth, for pursuing new goals, and for experiencing the world with a renewed sense of energy and possibility.

So, this spring, take the concept of spring cleaning a step further. Let’s delve into the corners of our lives and declutter the mental and emotional baggage that might be holding us back:

• Declutter Your Schedule: Look at your calendar. Is it overflowing with commitments that leave you drained and overwhelmed? Be honest with yourself about what truly sparks joy and what feels like a chore. Can you delegate tasks, say no to requests that don’t align with your priorities, or batch similar errands to free up time? If it’s not a, “hell yes,” it’s a no from me.
• Declutter Your Relationships: Just like physical clutter, toxic relationships can drain your energy. Spring cleaning your social circle doesn’t mean ditching everyone you have the occasional disagreement with. But it does mean identifying relationships that are consistently negative, unsupportive, or emotionally draining. Do it now and thank yourself later.
• Declutter Your Digital Space: Our inboxes, desktops, and social media feeds can become dumping grounds for digital clutter. Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read, delete unused apps, and be mindful of who you follow online. Curate your digital space to reflect what inspires and motivates you. Last year I started an “Unfriend” series on my Facebook page, having some fun and encouraging interaction with my Facebook friends (those left standing anyway).
• Declutter Your Habits: Are there habits that are no longer serving you? Maybe it’s mindless scrolling on social media before bed, skipping workouts, or negative self-talk. Identify these habits and replace them with positive ones that contribute to your well-being. There are days when the first thing I do in the morning is give myself a literal round of applause (there’s really no need to wait for the applause of others).
• Declutter Your Mind: Our minds are constantly bombarded with thoughts, worries, and to-do lists. This mental clutter can be overwhelming. Techniques like meditation (not medication), journaling, and spending time in nature can help us quiet the chatter and create space for clarity and focus. Plan a day trip to the nearest national forest. Let us know if you notice a positive impact to your mood.

Spring cleaning your life isn’t about achieving some unrealistic state of perfect organization. It’s about creating space – physical, mental, and emotional space. It’s about making room for the things that truly matter, the things that bring us joy, peace, and a sense of purpose. How you go about doing that is your call. Your life, your rules.

By decluttering our lives, we create the foundation for growth, for pursuing new goals, and for experiencing the world with a renewed sense of energy and possibility. So, this spring, grab a metaphorical trash bag and get ready to tackle the clutter that’s holding you back. You might be surprised at how much lighter you feel. One last thing before I go, maybe reach out to someone you’re long overdue to reconnect with.