It’s the time of year when the sun shines bright, flowers are blooming and we can open the windows, enjoying a cool breeze, before the sweltering summer heat kicks in. There’s something about springtime that is symbolic of new beginnings and fresh starts as we say goodbye to the cold, dreary months and winter apparel (see you next year hoodie!). Yet, as we lose the scarves, boots and other layers, the sun shines in and our minds become observant of the dust that has accumulated on the countertops. We see fingerprints on the windows and realize that spring is also the perfect time of year for cleaning.
Before you reach for the Windex, dust rags and vacuum, let’s discuss the reasons why a clean house feels SO good.
- A clean space feels refreshing.
- A clean space is symbolic of the effort you put in to maintain it.
- A clean space allows you the freedom of having friends and neighbors drop in (sometimes without notice) and not have to worry about having enough countertop space to make a pot of coffee (or pour a bottle of wine).
Now let’s be honest…how often, during spring cleaning, do you stuff your children’s too-small clothing into their dresser drawers? Is your hallway closet filled with nick-nacks and things you never use? Do the toys in the toy room (and every room, for that matter) accumulate faster than dust bunnies? Imagine if spring cleaning went beyond a spotless kitchen and shiny floors. By combining cleaning with decluttering, you will not only have a cleaner house, but you will have less to clean and take care of.
The more “stuff” we have, the more time we waste cleaning it, managing it and finding a place to store it. Do you really need five sets of bedsheets? How often do you really wear all ten pairs of shoes that you own? Here are some simple ways to reduce the amount of “stuff” you own. The result? A less cluttered house leads to a less cluttered mind. Freeing up your space frees up your time for other, more important things. Like pouring that bottle of wine for friends in the kitchen.
- Ask yourself “when did I last use/wear this?” If it’s been more than 90 days and it’s not a seasonal item, toss it or donate it.
- Identify what you have multiples of and downsize. Do you really need 27 plastic food containers (and 24 lids)? Towels, linens and kitchen utensils are also a good place to start.
- Is there someone else who will use a particular item more than you do? This goes for shoes, clothes, purses, appliances, books, DVDs, games, toys and just about anything.
- Are you having a hard time parting with sentimental items? My mom has a garage full of boxes that contain childhood memories. I have no idea what is in them, but I haven’t needed any of it in 30+ years. Would my life be better with these things? Meh. If you have a hard time letting go of things, consider taking photos of the items for a digital scrapbook.
- Ask yourself “is this bringing value to my life?” Everything you own should have a purpose and be of value. Otherwise, why do you have it?
