If you thought March meant the start of allergy season, think again. In the United States, National Cleaning Week begins each year on the fourth Sunday in March. Yes, it is true! March is the official start to motivate everyone to clean their homes, closets, cars, storage spaces and more—hence the term spring cleaning.
March is your time to remove the old clutter and start fresh! It’s a signal to start anew, open windows, and celebrate a spring renewal in your life.
For many, it is not just spring cleaning your home but spring cleaning your life. Getting rid of anything and everything that doesn’t serve you today. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here’s how you can get started.
Go From Room To Room
Get going from one room to another and identify the things you want to keep, toss, or donate. Wipe off the dust, open the windows, sort the pantry, and add new indoor plants.
Review Your Closet
Switch from the winter stuff to the spring stuff. And please do yourself a favor; get rid of your clothes in different sizes. Decide what you like and want to keep. You can easily donate stuff you don’t use while decluttering your space.
Organize Your Drawers And Shelves
You might have purchased a lot of things with the intention of using them or have the latest gadget, but you have never used them. Let March be the time to check your drawers, shelves, and your cosmetics and discard anything you may have stopped using or never used. Did you know mascara and liquid eyeliner typically are considered safe to use for three months? If yours is more than three months old not only has it dried up but can increase the risk of spreading bacteria in your eye.
Organize Music, Movies, And Books
Are you still purchasing hard copies of CDs, movies, and books? Be sure to sort, clean, and organize your catalogue of entertainment items because they can be major dust magnets. If you are a vinyl collector, keeping your vinyl records clean will keep them working. Consider transitioning to streaming services or digital copies so they aren’t clogging up much-needed space in your home.
Are you on a budget? Did you know that many libraries have services to stream movies and borrow e-books and audio books for free? Check with your local library to see if this is something they offer.
Don’t Forget Your Photos
Now that the holidays are over, why not declutter your digital collections too? Get everything in one place, sorted under different, easily accessible categories. You’ll be glad you did this when you want to reminisce about the memories.
Tidy Up Your Mental Space
If you overthink your to-do tasks, about the bills, other chores, important dates, and deadlines, tidy up the mental clutter. You can journal and keep your thoughts in one place. Besides, you don’t have to be a calligraphist to do that. Get a notepad or use Apple Notes or Google Keep to organize, edit, or share your tasks.
Detox Your Body
This is the last of the spring cleaning tips but it should be the first! The days of in-couch comfort and comfort foods are gone. It’s time to spring clean your house and your body. Walk, garden, swim, or cycle. Increase your social circle and look for volunteer activities. Fuel your body and mind with good protein, healthy snacks, fruits, veggies, and all things that are fresh not packaged. The food you put in your body not only serves as fuel but is essential for healthy skin. If you need additional motivation, consider the fact that a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that those who believed their home was cluttered had higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
The bottom line is that you don’t need Marie Kondo, the tidying expert, to transform your house into a space of serenity. The above tips can help you reclaim the space around you this spring.