Spring is here! Each changing of the season signifies something anew. The transition from cold, dreary winter weather to warm, sunny spring days signifies growth and positive change. Spring prompts feelings of renewal and of rebirth. The season casts light on a once dark world. This light pours in through your window and you are thankful for its long awaited arrival. But then you notice something: every inch of every surface in your room is covered in a thick layer of dust. What was once hidden by shadowy overcast days has now had attention called to it via the sunlight. Damn, you think to yourself, I should probably clean.
Here are three simple ways you can begin your spring cleaning process:
1. Clean Out Your Closet
I will admit, though not proudly, that I often buy clothes that I end up seldom wearing. When doing a seasonal purging of clothing, ask yourself, is this me? Or, when was the last time I wore this? If something you once thought was cute is no longer or if you can’t recall the last time it left the hanger, it’s probably time to let it go. That is, unless it has sentimental value (think: your Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 t-shirt from when you saw them at the Tacoma Dome, for instance). I know getting rid of clothes that you paid actual coinage for seems like a counterintuitive economic practice, but there are ways you can make some of that money back. Consider selling your clothes on sites such as Depop or Poshmark. Or sell your unwanted items to a local University Way NE consignment shop, such as Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads Trading Co. Any wearable clothing items that you don’t sell will gladly be appreciated at your local Goodwill. Now that you’ve narrowed your 12 striped t-shirts down to four, it’s time to reconsider when and how you buy new clothing. When buying new clothing it’s important to make sure the item fits you well, you don’t already own anything identical to it, and that you absolutely love it (remember: in the store is where you love it most. If you don’t love it there, you will never wear it). Also, if you feel consistently overrun by clothing, consider adopting the one-in-one-out rule. This rule states that each time you purchase a new item of clothing, you get rid of an old item.
2. Organize Your Workspace
You don’t have to tell me. I already know it. Somewhere in your living space there is a drawer filled with random miscellaneous crap that doesn’t have much value. The first, and sometimes most difficult, thing to do when organizing a desk area is to get rid of whatever you don’t need. Ask yourself, do I really need three different pencil sharpeners? No, you don’t. Decide, do I really need to keep this old poli. sci. exam booklet from two quarters ago? Probably not. Think, do I really need a 48-piece set of glitter gel pens? Well, maybe. The goal is to eliminate things that no longer serve you a purpose. Once everything is cleaned out, keep it that way by investing in things that keep you organized. If things have a habit of pilling up in your desk drawers, consider buying acrylic organizers. If you have an ever-growing pile of papers on your desk, consider buying a super cute file folder or box. Or if you want to keep all important dates and deadlines in one visible place, purchase a weekly tabletop planner.
3. Clean Up Your Social Media
Have you ever thought about cleansing your social media accounts? By this I don’t mean deleting your “sinsta,” (whatever that is) or untagging yourself from old embarrassing facebook photos, in attempt to “clean up” your social media self-image. I’m talking about unfollowing, unfriending, blocking, and muting those accounts and people that don’t bring you joy. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can try and go on an full-on social media cleanse by deleting all your social media apps. Negativity on social media can have negative effects on one’s mental health. Eliminating some sources of unhappiness in your life will bring about renewed feelings of positivity and help you to be a generally happier human being. Consider it self care.