Four Spring Cleaning Tips to Help You Get Organized, Energized, and Focused

Spring is the season of renewal and growth, making the perfect time to clean out your house, apartment, and mental space! Clearing the clutter allow us to make room for new ideas and projects that inspire us. Getting started can feel overwhelming, especially if we have a lot of stuff hanging around. Your best bet is to create a plan that separates tasks over the course of a few days or weeks. Here are some quick tips on how to create your own spring cleaning strategy:

Follow the paper trail. Do you tend to hold onto junk mail, expired coupons, or old pay stubs? Maybe you have magazines or newspapers laying around that you tell yourself you plan on reading someday. Take an hour to open the draws and dig under the coffee table for anything paper that has been collecting dust and throw it in the recycling bin!

Check the fridge. This is a great time to find out what’s been lurking in the back of your freezer all winter. Throw away anything that is expired or frostbitten. Get rid of those almost-empty condiment bottles that haven’t been touched in months. Organize your spice cabinet so that the items you use frequently are easy accessible.

Dress for success. My Mom always said, “If you haven’t worn it in over a year, donate it.” This goes for handbags, shoes, and accessories as well as clothes. Have you been holding on to clothes that are too small with the hopes of fitting into them one day? If it doesn’t make you feel great when you wear it, make room in your closet for clothes that do. This is a great way to boost your confidence and minimize negative self-talk.

Technology is great...until it’s not. Check your social media feed. Are you following accounts that make you feel inadequate? Is there someone on your Facebook feed who constantly complains or posts negative content? Make a point to unfollow or silence accounts that aren’t bringing positive, supportive energy into your life. While you’re at it, turn off notifications for apps or websites that unnecessarily distract you throughout the day. Unsubscribe from email marketing lists that are clogging up your inbox.

By dividing your spring cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable categories, you can reduce overwhelm and hold yourself accountable. Start by writing a list of the tasks you want to complete, then carve out time in your calendar to make it happen. Display your list somewhere you will see everyday like your office wall or fridge door. As you cross items off on your list, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that will motivate you to keep going.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

-Maija