Truth be told, Spring is not my favorite season (Fall is by far my favorite). Yes of course there are many wonderful things about this time of year, including budding blossoms and bluer skies, but for the past few years I’ve battled with seasonal allergies (I am currently broken out in hives), and they are a drag. I also tend to feel my thickest or heaviest during the spring/early summer – which makes little sense to me – but it’s an unfavorable pattern I’ve noticed. Petties aside, spring is undoubtedly a time to rejuvenate our lives with positive energy after a long winter that my have bogged us down.
One spring “trend” I can get behind is spring cleaning. If you didn’t know, I am a clean freak, minimalist, organizer, and persistent purger. I don’t leave spring cleaning to the second quarter of the year, rather you’ll find me cleaning out my closet and whatever other cupboards I can get my hands on all throughout the year. I don’t think spring cleaning needs to be left to your closet clutter, however.
This season is a time to weed out anything that is not serving you – thoughts, habits, relationships, emails, schedules – anything that is cramping your style. I encourage to do a little cleaning to make space for positive and fresh inspiration to grow — whether that’s a little more room in your closet, a few less emails in your inbox, or toxic relationships that steal too much of your energy. Here are a few tips to clean up and make room for peace of mind and serenity this spring.
5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Life
1 // Clear Up Your Calendar
I live by my color-coded Google calendar. If your calendar, whether it’s electronic or on paper, is stressing you out from being over-scheduled (and you, under-rested!), say no to social engagements and extracurriculars that don’t “fill up your cup.” If that’s easier said than done, at least schedule “me time” on your calendar – whatever that looks like to you. Writing it down will make it much more likely to happen. When you fill up your own cup, you will have more energy to give to your work and others.
2 // Swap Your Skin Care
If you’re wanting to clean up your health, don’t forget about your skin care and beauty products — questionable and harmful ingredients aren’t just found on food labels, but in your personal care products, too. Did you know that the European Union bans over 1,400 harmful chemicals from cosmetic products? How many do you think the United States bans? A mere 30! But Beautycounter is doing something about that by providing high-performing products that exclude over 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients. Hello, safer skin care!
I encourage you to skim The Never List™ and then spend 10 minutes looking at the ingredient lists on your personal care products. You can even download the EWG’s Healthy Living App to assist you. Then, chose at least one product to swap out for a safer alternative.
After reading my ingredient list on my shampoo, I swapped it out for Beautycounter’s Daily Shampoo & Conditioner — my hair feel soft and clean, and it has a delicate citrus scent.
3 // Get Outside
If you’re like me, you might be a bit apprehensive about spending time outdoors during allergy season. But after a dark and cold winter, sunshine on your shoulders will inevitably boost your mood. Whether it is a hike, walking the dog around the neighborhood, a 15-minute backyard workout, or eating a meal al fresco, a dose of Vitamin D is good for anybody (just make sure to wear your SPF).
4 // Purge Pictures & Apps… and emails, too!
Clutter doesn’t have to be physical. It’s hiding on your phone, your computer(s), and all of your other devices, too. Whether it’s 10 minutes or one hour, block off time on your calendar to delete unnecessary files — all that data is takin’ up space somewhere. Delete apps, empty your trash, clear your browser caches. If your email inboxes are an eye sore, try using an unsubscribe service to manage the mess by mass elimination.
5 // Mellow Out Your Mornings
Chronic stress is good for nothing. Getting a handle on it can be as simple as managing how you start your mornings. This will look different for everyone, but maybe it’s sitting in a comfy chair as soon as you wake and spending five minutes meditating or focusing on your breath. Maybe it looks like keeping your phone out of reach until after you have sipped half of cup of collagen coffee technology-free, or maybe it is taking a few minutes to write down your intentions for the day. I’ve been enjoying The Five-Minute Journal for such.
Leave a comment!
How are you “spring cleaning” your life?
Did you swap out a skin care product for a safer alternative?
