After a tumultuous past twelve months, it’s high time we run a fine-toothed comb through our lives and get rid of any baggage, physical or otherwise, that we’ve accumulated. Spring cleaning is an April tradition that usually refers to cleaning house, but it’s a great time to also flush out any negativity or toxic habits we’ve been holding onto and find enriching and rejuvenating replacements. Here are seven tips to guide you along the way of your own spring cleaning:
- Find a way to decompress, even if it’s just for a second
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After a long day of working, studying, and overall stressing out, it’s important to unwind and relax. Maybe it’s unrealistic to dedicate an hour before you sleep to meditation, or make time to exercise every day, but something as simple as drinking a cup of tea could bring you some peace in your otherwise hectic schedule. Find something that soothes you, even if it’s something small, and your body and mind will thank you.
- Physically declutter your space
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I am no stranger to mess, especially when I have a million things to do and don’t prioritize keeping my room clean. However, all that clutter could be contributing to feelings of stress and anxiety. Cleaning itself can be therapeutic, but the aftermath of having a tidy, breathable space can do wonders for your mental health. Get rid of old papers and trash crowding your desk, fold the clothes you have piling up on that chair, and feel the weight lift off of you when you’re done.
- Digitally declutter your electronics
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We spend so much time online or on our phones that we need to treat our devices like we would treat our physical spaces. Take the time to organize your computer desktop, rename files to make it easier for yourself in the future, and sort through everything to decide what you don’t need anymore. Unsubscribe from promotional emails that you don’t care about and delete apps on your phone that are collecting metaphorical dust.
- Set your alarm clock a little earlier than you normally would
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Whether you wake up ten minutes earlier or an hour earlier, give yourself more time to shake off the sleep before you begin your day. Especially with Zoom, it’s easy to stay in bed till the last possible second before logging on, but doing so doesn’t allow your brain to fully wake up before forcing it to process what’s going on in class. That extra time will help you feel less groggy throughout the day and give you a clearer headspace.
- Reassess your relationships (and make changes if necessary)
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There is no room for people with bad energy in 2021. Now is as good a time as ever to break off friendships or relationships that stress you out more than they bring you joy. No matter how long you’ve known a person, if they no longer make you happy, they’re not worth keeping around. Be picky with the people you surround yourself with and remember that you don’t owe anything to anyone except yourself.
- Spice things up and try something new each week
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Feeling stuck in the same routine? Try to continuously be on the search for something new, whether that’s new foods, new workout classes, or new music. Something as simple as discovering a cool playlist could help to enrich your life and give you something to look forward to. Don’t ever settle for feeling uninspired – keep things interesting and always be on the lookout for the next exciting thing.
- Find peace in spending time with yourself
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There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with yourself. Take the time to nurture that relationship, do all your favorite things and find contentment in your own validation. It’s easier said than done, I know, but when you have responsibility after responsibility and it feels like you’re losing touch with yourself, take a break from the outside world for a bit and come back to who you are.
Spring is a season of growth and rebirth, and by removing the physical and emotional clutter from our lives, we can begin that development. Remember to stay attuned to your ambitions, make peace with who you are and where you are in life, and embrace new experiences and change so that you can be the best, happiest version of yourself.