Spring Cleaning - Let's Spark Joy!

Spring is in the air. The winter weight is lifting.

But, maybe some of us still feel a little weighted down by those long winter months.

Winter is tough. Unlike summer, some days you just don’t leave the house. It’s darker. We get less sun. Generally, it can become a little rough toward the end.

But there is a way you can lift some of that weight up and off your shoulders. We’ve got tips and tricks for spring cleaning for the soul and spring cleaning for the mind. It’s not all about just cleaning up your physical space - although that does help. If you’ve watched Marie Kondo on Netflix, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Marie Kondo’s method goes beyond just your physical space. She aims to help people cultivate joy from their space (once tidy) and thus, bring more joy into their lives.

It’s simple. And it makes sense.

Most of us know we work better in a clean and organized space. We feel better in a clean and organized space. Our physical environment translates over into our mental health. It’s like looking in a mirror - it’s a good reflection of how you mentally feel.

Spring offers the ideal time to reset, refresh, and revamp. It’s time to clean up and take out the trash. If something doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it.

How can you do that?

How to Cleanse Your Mind:

1. Evaluate Old Attitudes & Open Your Mind to New Ones

Winter sets us up for limiting beliefs. We can’t go outside - it’s too cold in most places. We can’t do another thing because it’s already dark out or we’re feeling tired.

It’s time to shake it off. Get rid of those old attitudes. Make way for joy and positivity.

And start catching your negative thought patterns. Call yourself out. Recognizing them is the first step to getting rid of them. If this thought isn’t making you happy, in the way of Marie Kondo - get rid of it.

Quit focusing on the bad and focus on the good. Put your energy toward the things you want and the things you need to become a happier version of you. It’s easier said than done - but it’s doable. And you can always start doing this with the items in your home first. Remember, spring is a great time to tidy your environment, soul, and mind.

2. Forgive Yourself for Things That Happened in the Past

Perhaps as you scrub away at your tiles, you’re also reminiscing about past regrets. We’ve all got them. But by bringing forth forgiveness, you can set yourself free. Accept it. It happened.

The funny thing about the past is that you can’t change it. You can only move forward into a better version of yourself. And this better version involves forgiving yourself and being at peace with yourself.

3. Restore Your Friendships

The whole philosophy behind Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is clarity. You define what sparks joy and why. You only keep those things that spark joy in your life. This includes friendships. Maybe pick up the phone and call that friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Or you finally plan a group catch up with your girls or guys.

Or you begin to accept that a friendship has sailed and thus, ended. Sometimes things or people come into our lives for only a period of time. And that’s okay. Nothing lasts forever and most friendships don’t last a lifetime. It’s sad. But again, you have to look forward and emphasize the things that bring you joy in your life.

Use spring as a time to do this. You know the sun will be out soon and even though you may feel sad about a relationship or friendship ending, the sun will be shining shortly - giving you that positive boost you need.

4. Start this New Chapter with Joy & Space to Bring Joy In

And yes, that may involve getting rid of stuff. Follow Marie Kondo’s guide. You can even read her books for a few hints and mindful tips. The Life-Changing Magic and Spark Joy are available on Amazon.

To gather joy and welcome it into your life, you need to clear out house and home - and your mind. Negative attracts negative. But positive attracts positive. It’s called the law of attraction. You attract what you put out into the universe. So, why not commit to putting out positive vibes only? You get what you give. Thus, give good!

The Mental Benefits of Tidying Up:

Science even shows that cleaning up has significant effects on your mental health.

We’re not making this stuff up.

If you’re a little stumped on the mental side and want to start clearing up your physical room, you’re still doing your mental health and soul some serious good. But what are those benefits?

• Cleaning up provides clarity. You can think clearer with less visual stimuli - and a tidier space offers exactly that.
• You become more efficient. Cleaning up involves organizing. And organizing can save you time and money. You won’t buy another set of scissors because you lost yours. You won’t waste time searching for the one item you need. You’ll know exactly where it is.
• It creates less stress. There are fewer hassles, less clutter, and more space for you to just be.
• It’s part of self-care. It shows self-love and that you care enough about yourself to live in a well-kept space. Remind yourself that you are worth it. Show yourself that by cleaning up.
• It gives you a sense of accomplishment. By setting out to do something and doing it, you activate the reward centers in your brain. This also further translates into self-love, since you won’t be able to look around and cast self-doubt and critique with how messy your environment is.

Now is the Time to Start

When you say ‘later,’ it may also mean ‘never.’

Start now.

Open this new chapter with clarity. Gain a new perspective and head into the new season with a clear vision of what you want and what brings you joy in your life.

Related Article: How Spending More Time Alone Can Help You Manage Your Anxiety