Spring Quarter—UW’s nirvana, filled with scenic cherry blossoms, seeing friends in the Quad’s grassy field, day parties, swimming in Montlake Cut, watching the sunset without freezing in Gas Works, and exploring Seattle more on the weekends.
For many, spring symbolizes revival. A fresh start.
To achieve this clean slate, many people participate in spring cleaning: clearing their closets and drawers of the excess that weighs them down. Being lowkey addicted to online shopping and thrifting has my closet in a constant state of overflow, so I’m a huge fan of spring cleaning.
This year, after Marie Kondo-ing my closet and feeling more at peace, I wondered, what if we applied the same concepts of spring cleaning for our personal lives?
Just as we evaluate whether our things still have use and a fit in our lives, maybe we should do the same for our relationships and habits.
Here are some spring cleaning tips for different areas of your life:
1. Friendships
You’ll meet a lot of people in college. Here are some questions to help you reflect on your relationships:
- Do I feel like I can be my real self around this friend / group of people? Or am I judged for it?
- Are our conversations mostly about parties and talking sh*t about others?
- Does this friend show up for me the way I show up for them?
- Does this friend care about my life and interests?
- Does this friend leave me feeling positive or negative?
Clean:
- Spend less time with people who make you feel negative / fake or who don’t invest in you the same way you do for them.
Replace:
- Pay attention to who leaves you feeling genuinely happy and connected after hanging out with them, and spend time with them.
2. Social Media
There are a myriad of articles out there about the negative effects of social media on mental health. It’s important to be aware of the content we put in our heads. Twitter user, Michael Miraflor said it best:
“Unfollow IG models and influencers. Start following artists and designers. Your entire outlook on life will change. You will be reminded less about your insecurities. You will be reminded more of what you love about what humans are capable of creating.”
Clean:
- While you don’t have to unfollow every model or influencer (some of their pages are pretty dope and can be inspiring), you should unfollow accounts that make you feel insecure about the things you lack—whether that’s items, a certain lifestyle, or even your appearance.
Replace
- Follow accounts of people creating things or doing what they’re passionate about—it can inspire you to do the same. A few of my favorites–Sarah Bahbah is a photographer and creative director who’s collaborated with Gucci and creates artistic and authentic photoseries, and Emily Oberg is an art director who previously worked with Complex and now promotes health and wellness, as well as her own creative work.
3. Self-Care
“Self-care” can be a cliché topic, especially since it’s different for each person, but I’ve recently learned how much of a positive difference it’s made in my life. The best thing self-care tip I’ve learned is to simply make time, even in a busy schedule.
Self Care When You’re Busy:
- Put your phone on Airplane Mode and go social media free 30 minutes before bed (and for as long as you can in the morning.) This is something that I’ve started this quarter. Before, it was hard for me to go without my phone because I needed my alarm, but constant texts, Snapchats, and social media kept me awake for much longer. So far, I’ve had an easier time falling asleep and feel more at peace in the morning not waking up to social media.
- Listen to podcasts on the way to class. My personal favorite is N.P.R.’s How I Built This With Guy Raz in which the creators of anything from Tim Burton Snowboards and Patagonia to Rolling Stone Magazine talk about what inspired them and how they built their brand. It’s pretty inspiring, especially if you’re feeling dead going to an 8:30.
- Doing the “little things.” Spend a little extra time getting ready–on your outfit, skincare, or exercise / diet routine. It makes a difference, just trust the cast of Queer Eye.
Cheers to Spring Q.