At the end of every winter, I always get antsy for the warmer weather and sunshine that spring promises. I like to use this time in between the seasons to think about the changes I want to make in my life and home. The home can be a reflection of the mind, and if our environment is cluttered and chaotic, it can make it hard to slow down and relax. If you look around your home right now, chances are you will see many items that you seldom use or even think about.
These types of items are just taking up space and contributing to stagnant energy in your home, while making it difficult to find inspiration, motivation or peace.
Most people have some sort of ‘spring cleaning’ regimen that they follow every year. I like to start this process by getting rid of things I don’t need or use to help make space for new growth. Going through and purging first can make it easier when it comes down to really deep cleaning your home after winter, as you won’t have as much stuff to work around. With so many different decluttering methods out there, it can make the whole process seem a little daunting.
Try some of these simple ideas to get a jump start on reviving your home for the new season:
- Have an idea of how you want your space to look once you are all done. Have you been wanting to start meditating, but want a designated area? Or how about start that new business or project you’ve been putting off? Keep these things in mind when you start purging; you may find that a corner taken up by clutter is the perfect place to set up a space just for you.
- Donate, sell or trash 5-10 items a day for a month. You can do this by simply walking around and putting things you don’t need in a box, or try out a more structured plan like the KonMari method. Click here for more information.
- Pick one area of your home to start – once you see how clean a space can be once the junk is gone, it can help give you motivation to continue the process.
- If you are pressed for time, spend 15 minutes a day tidying your home before you Netflix and chill. This will make it less overwhelming, plus it will set you up for a better tomorrow.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one thing. If you are having trouble deciding, box it up and put it away for a month. If you don’t need it during that time, chances are you never will.
- Don’t go overboard or overwhelm yourself! This should be a fun exercise to help get things moving after winter, so remember to keep your goals realistic and attainable.
Still unsure of where to begin? Click here for a great beginner’s guide on minimalism. Try looking up videos on YouTube or check out the book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” By Marie Kondo. These can help spark some ideas and strategies to get you on the right path to refreshing your space.
