Spring Cleaning for The Soul (Mental De-Clutter Checklist)

It’s springtime, and as the weather warms up, many of us are opening our windows to let in the fresh air and starting our spring cleaning. But what is the meaning of spring cleaning? Spring cleaning is not just about cleaning your home; it’s also about renewing and refreshing your space, both physically and mentally. It’s a great time of year to get rid of things we don’t need and declutter our lives. Spring cleaning for the soul has a deeper meaning; it’s about letting go of the old to make room for the new, both in our homes and in our lives.

Here are three things you can do to start letting go of this mental “clutter”. Let’s do some spring cleaning for our mental health this year, shall we?!

De-Cluttering At Home

There’s been lots of studies done on how decluttering is beneficial for us in multiple ways – including our mental health.

It’s often said that the state of your home is a reflection of your state of mind. Sometimes life can get overwhelming, and that translates into other areas of life, including our home. Having a family and mess about is inevitable, but it’s a different story when it starts to build up. Here are several interesting decluttering tips to get you started and motivated on decluttering your home:

Start with 5 minutes at a time. If you’re new or this seems overwhelming, you can slowly build momentum with just five minutes a day.
Give one item away each day. This would remove 365 items every single year from your home. If you increased this to 2 per day, you would have given away 730 items you no longer needed. That’s SO MUCH space to free up!
Fill an entire trash bag. Get a trash bag and fill it as fast as you can with things you can donate at Goodwill (and all of those random papers you shoved into the desk drawer).
Donate clothes you never wear. To identify them, simply hang all your clothes with hangers in the reverse direction. After wearing an item, face the hanger in the correct direction. Discard the clothes you never touched after a few months.

Cleaning Tips for a Deep Clean

To ensure your home feels refreshed and renewed, consider incorporating these cleaning tips into your routine:

Use a mixture of warm water and an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down surfaces.
Clean your home from top to bottom, starting with ceiling fans and working your way down to the floors.
For hard-to-reach areas, use a bristled brush to remove dust and debris.
Clean window surfaces with a solution of warm water and vinegar, then wipe with a clean cloth for a streak-free shine.
Don’t forget to clean your kitchen thoroughly, including appliances, countertops, and sinks.
After cleaning, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down surfaces and a dry microfiber cloth to air dry and remove any remaining moisture.

Safety First

As you go through your spring cleaning checklists, remember to check the functionality of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. It’s also a good time to replace the batteries and ensure they are in proper working order. Additionally, make sure you have a fire extinguisher and that it is easily accessible.

Spend Some Time Outdoors

After months of being cooped up inside, your body is screaming for some exercise and fresh air. Step away from your electronics, go outside, and enjoy the sunshine.

Start taking walks whenever possible. Not only will this get your blood flowing, it will also help clear your mind. Try going to places where you can surround yourself with nature.

Outdoor Cleaning Tips

When spending time outdoors, it’s essential to keep your outdoor living spaces clean and inviting:

Use stainless steel cleaning tools to clean your grill, patio furniture, and outdoor surfaces.
Wipe down surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt and grime.
Clean your grill thoroughly using warm water and a bristled brush to remove food residue.
Ensure your outdoor lighting is clean and functional by wiping down fixtures and replacing bulbs as needed.

Give Your Home a Clean, Fresh Smell

When the weather finally starts to warm up, one of the best ways you can freshen your home is to simply open the windows.

Avoid the potentially dangerous chemicals in commercial cleaning products, candles, and air fresheners. Instead, try making your own cleaners with natural products and essential oils. An essential oil diffuser can also pull double-duty, making your house smell great while giving you a beneficial boost of aromatherapy.

Clean Up Your Diet

When you’re hibernating indoors all winter, it’s not unusual to eat heavier foods. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably also found yourself reaching for comfort foods and processed junk.

Take everything out of your refrigerator and cabinets, wipe everything down, and get ready to start fresh. Get rid of anything that’s expired and throw away or donate the foods that don’t make you feel like your best self.

Clear Your Mind

Spring cleaning shouldn’t stop with your physical junk. It’s a great time to take care of yourself by clearing your mind and releasing any negative feelings you’ve been carrying around.

Mindfulness can help quiet your thoughts, relieve anxiety, and relax muscle tension. When you are stressed, it can be hard to focus on the present moment, and if you have racing thoughts, the idea of meditation might sound impossible. Don’t worry, just 5 minutes of quiet to focus on your breathing can prepare you to face the day or help you to have more restful sleep. The Mayo Clinic has a great guide on mindfulness, and you might also find phone apps that can help you get started.

Check In With Yourself, Your Priorities, and Your Goals

Make a list of all the things that truly make you happy, then make a list of how you spend most of your time. Compare the two, and it will soon be clear where you need to make some adjustments.

By incorporating these spring cleaning tips for your home, diet, and mental health, you can set the stage for a season of renewal, growth, and spiritual growth. Embrace the opportunity to declutter, refresh, and refocus as you move forward into the warmer months ahead!

How to Spiritually Clean Your House

In addition to physical cleaning, spiritual cleaning is also essential for overall well-being. Here are some tips on how to spiritually clean your house:

Create a peaceful environment by decluttering and organizing your space.
Use sage or palo santo to smudge your home and remove negative energy.
Place crystals like clear quartz or amethyst in different areas of your home to promote positive energy.
Practice meditation or prayer regularly to cleanse your mind and spirit.
Surround yourself with uplifting and inspirational decor, such as motivational quotes or spiritual artwork.

Spring Cleaning Meaning

Spring cleaning is more than just a seasonal chore; it’s a symbolic act of renewal and rebirth. It’s a time to let go of the old and make way for the new. By embracing the true meaning of spring cleaning, you can create a fresh start for yourself and your home, setting the stage for growth, transformation, and spiritual growth in the months to come.