Spring offers us a chance to let go of the old and start fresh. It also signals that it’s time for spring cleaning, which we often define as a deep cleaning for our houses or apartments. But why not try something new this year, like expanding spring cleaning beyond just your home? Instead, spring clean every part of your life—your mind, body and relationships as well as your home and office. How’s that for self-care?
So if you’re truly ready for something new, here’s what you can do to make the most of your spring cleaning this year.
1. Create space for new energy.
Our homes are often extensions of ourselves—and, as such, are easy places for stale, old energy to become trapped. Target these specific spots to release the bad vibes and make room for something new.
- Your closet. Say goodbye once and for all to those pieces of clothing that no longer reflect who you are. If they’re in good condition, donate them to someone who would be happy to have and use them, like a relative, your neighbors or a local charity.
- Your kitchen. Rid your fridge and your cabinets (and your secret snack drawer) of the stuff that doesn’t make you feel like your best self. Create room to stock up on what fills and fuels you.
- Your desk. Embrace your trash bin as a tool to let go of what’s blocking you, like those mounting piles of paper. Instead, go digital. File your documents in an online storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Use your newly cleared desk to showcase things that calm you, inspire you and keep you motivated.
2. Clear your head to spring clean your life.
Leave old baggage behind in favor of increased clarity, greater possibilities and a more positive outlook overall.
- Start a journal. Write down your thoughts and reflections so that you don’t have to carry them around in your head. Try Evernote for note-taking on the go—which means you won’t have to carry around paper or pens, either.
- Meditate. Release your mental clutter and engage in meditation, using an app such as Calm to guide you through. Or you can try other forms of energy work. Go with what works for you.
- Quiet the noise. We all love our phones, but the constant buzzing, beeping and ringing can add unnecessary stress and distraction to our already crowded thoughts. Uninstall the apps that you’ve never really cared about, leaving only the ones that you enjoy and use the most. At the very least, turn off those annoying notifications.
- Refresh your inbox. Take back control of your inbox by unsubscribing from the many email lists that you’re on but can’t remember why or how you got there. Use Unroll.me for easy and painless unsubscribing and categorizing of your subscriptions, so that the messages you see are the ones you actually care about.
3. Reset your routines.
Give yourself a fresh start when it comes to your time and commitments.
- Maximize your time. Rework your morning ritual to boost your energy and help you conquer your most important goals each day. Create a nighttime routine that includes ample time to unwind, rest and set yourself up for success the following morning.
- Put you first. Let go of outdated obligations, goals and habits. Replace them with new intentions that match who you are and where you are headed. Then try an app like Any.do to help you stay on track.
4. Spring clean your life by reconnecting to what you love.
As an act of self-care, create space for the people and things that light you up and keep you moving forward.
- Your people. Prioritize the positive figures in your life by making time to nurture and grow those relationships. That said, you must also work on taking back your time and energy from those relationships that are no longer serving you.
- Your passions. Schedule some time to get lost in an activity that you enjoy. Set boundaries for work and grant yourself time to play.
This article was updated April 2023. Photo by Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock. This post originally appeared on Shine, an app that offers daily support for your stress & anxiety.
