Spring Cleaning: Time for a Fresh Start

If your plans and goals took a back seat in recent years, dust them off and allow yourself to brainstorm again for the future. Spring is the season of sowing seeds, of hope, and of new beginnings.(oatawa/Shutterstock)

Regardless of what the groundhog predicted, it won’t be long before we notice longer days, warmer sunshine, budding flowers, and the onset of glorious spring. After the “dark winters” we’ve been through during the past few years, this year, more than ever, it seems apropos to embrace the spring cleaning season and get ready for a fresh start.

The mindset of spring cleaning can be applied to many areas of life. Here are a few ideas to inspire you and put that pep back in your step.

Home

Obviously, we traditionally think of spring cleaning in reference to our homes. This is a great time of year to open up the windows and let the fresh air in (even if it’s still a little chilly). Go through those closets and drawers that have been neglected for a while. Gather items that no longer serve you into donation receptacles. Tackle some of the less frequent deep-cleaning tasks that you’ve been meaning to get to. Infuse your home with some fresh new scents, and repair or replace things as needed.

Car

Not to be overlooked, your car might benefit from some spring cleaning as well. Clean out the clutter, give it a good wash, purchase a new air freshener, and enjoy cruising around in a fresh, clean ride.

Digital Devices

Your computer, your phone, and wherever else you keep digital apps and files could likely use a spring cleaning. Delete the clutter, organize the folders, get your inboxes to zero, print out the pictures you might never have gotten around to printing, and remove the apps that are distracting you from what matters or just taking up space.

Your Calendar

Your calendar can tell you how you’ve been spending your most precious resource—your time. Apply a spring-cleaning mindset to a calendar review in which you renegotiate or cancel obligations that don’t align with your priorities, add events or appointments that bring joy or meaning to your life, and ensure that your overall time is being spent on what matters, including rest and downtime if you’re not getting enough of that. Your calendar should largely make you feel inspired, not stressed.

Your Plans

For many of us, plans and goals may have taken a back seat in recent years. Well, dust off those hopes and dreams and allow yourself to brainstorm again for the future. Spring is the season of sowing seeds, of hope, and of new beginnings.

Take time to think about your future, set some goals, aim at something inspiring and meaningful, and launch into this spring full of hope.