Spring has officially sprung here in the Northern hemisphere and with it comes the reminder to deep clean our physical spaces.
This mandate for spring cleaning appears everywhere from magazines to social media feeds, and it can be equal parts invigorating and annoying, depending on the day. And also who you ask.
Spring cleaning is a tradition that has persisted in many cultures across the globe, but its beginnings are rooted in ancient times.
The symbolism of a fresh start as we crawl out of hibernation from the dark, cold months of Winter. And maybe it’s because I have a very busy brain. Or because I love seeing a task to completion, but I am one of those people who very much enjoys this tradition.
I’m always on the lookout for ways to clear out the things that have overstayed their welcome and more sunlight brings me more motivation to dive into projects that felt overwhelming just a few weeks ago.
Dusting baseboards and window sills. Organizing the pantry. Swapping out sweaters for swimsuits. Finally getting rid of the tupperware that no longer has a lid and at least a few of the coffee mugs we’ve somehow acquired. Repotting plants, and throwing out some of the kids toys and projects, not all of it. I’m not a monster, but I admit I’m guilty of hastily tossing things in the garbage or donation bins and disposing of the evidence before anyone gets home.
Something about tackling these endlessly put-off tasks that occupy space at the bottom of my mind’s neverending to-do list brings a unique sense of satisfaction.
Still, the whole concept can feel overly ambitious at times.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and put it off completely. Which is why I like the approach of starting small. I keep a “to do soon” list. It’s full of things that I’d like to get done, but probably aren’t going to happen with the busyness of a typical day.
So instead of putting the pressure on to tackle all of it in a day, I break it into more manageable chunks. Baseboards this week, and tackle the closets or mattresses next time.
Dr. Tim Pychyl, author of “Solving the Procrastination Puzzle,” makes the argument that when we think about things abstractly, like the concept of ‘having to Spring clean’ it can trigger our brain’s procrastination response. Whereas more concrete thoughts like ‘It will only take a minute to clean the fridge’ makes it easier to actually get the task done and not leave it for later.
Start small and tackle the areas that drive your brain crazy first. Then save the rest for another day. There’s no rule that it has to be done all at once.
Happy Spring my Friend!
xx,
Ashley
P.S. The kitchen is my favorite place to start, here are some simple ways to “detox” your kitchen and the recipe for my favorite DIY cleaning spray.