Is the phrase "Spring Cleaning" giving you anxiety? Is that basket of onesie socks overwhelming you? Are you hoping for fall, just so you don't have to tackle spring cleaning?
The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, the garden is calling. The last thing we want to think about is staying inside and cleaning or decluttering. But the pressure is on.
Don't get overwhelmed. Like everything in life, you just have to put things in manageable chunks. Here are some ideas:
1. Walk around your house with a notepad. Take in your surroundings. Whenever something brings your energy down, jot that in your pad. When you are done, look at this list and number the things by priority. Does the laundry basket of socks in your bedroom bother you most? Or is the pile of unfinished projects on your dining room table? The discarded "stuff" on your piano? Now, take your planner, or a designated calender, and put one of these items on each day. For example, 3/26 "Sock basket". On that day, dedicate yourself to clear out that one item. Do it in 15 minute chunks if you have to, but just finish it. Cross it out when you finish. I am so proud of you!
2. Cleaning out your closet? Take out all the clothes you LOVE and that make you feel FABULOUS first and put them aside. There, now you only have to deal with things that are "maybes". Make a box for giveaways and designate where you are going to donate to. I always take my clothes to WEAVE, an organisation that helps abused women. It makes it so much easier for me to give something away when I know it will go good things for someone else. Try it, I bet it will work!
3. Have some great boots, a kitchen appliance, vintage toys, etc that are great but you don't LOVE them anymore? Sell them! Facebook offers Marketplace, Craigslist is local, and if you have designer clothes or shoes, try Poshmark. If it does not sell in a week, donate, donate, donate. If you can, put any money you make aside and buy yourself something completely frivolous that makes you happy!
Set a timer and clean/declutter in chunks. Remember you are not just decluttering, you are lifting the Spirit of your home, and with that, the Spirit of your heart!
