Last updated on July 6th, 2022 at 04:11 pm
What is it that they say? If you look at the rooms in your home, they represent the way you think . . . ?
Are you thinking organized, healthy thoughts? Or are your rooms a jumbled nightmare reflecting where your life has been for the past couple of years? If your dream has stalled or you can’t seem to get it going, maybe what you need to do first is clear the clutter in your space.
I am writing this with a sore back (and arms) from scrubbing, moving, tossing, and organizing. Twice a year I go through every room, closet, and drawer to clean every inch of my place — organizing everything as I go.
It’s a butt-kicker, but such a satisfying feeling when it’s done. I’d really like to crawl into my freshly-made bed, but instead, I thought I’d encourage any of you who are feeling stuck in your life to take the time to reorganize a room, space, or drawer that is bothering you most. Once you begin, it’s hard to stop clearing out just one area of your life.
Come on, I know you can do this.
8 Tips to Spring Clean Your Space
1. Make a list of what you need for your cleaning/organizing day. Do you have two colors of garbage bags? Do you have plenty of window cleaner? Dusting spray and rags? Do you need any boxes or storage containers?
2. Stock up on easy foods to eat, your favorite energy drink, and pain-reliever for sore muscles, so as you go through your day you aren’t creating messes you will have to address when you are exhausted.
And if you write — do your post before your spring cleaning — not after, like I am doing here.
3. Make an appointment with yourself for your spring cleaning day. Make sure to turn off your phone and TV when your spring cleaning day arrives. Put on your favorite music. Wear comfortable clothes. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted.
4. I usually start to do whatever is at my right when I enter the space I am going to organize. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to begin spring cleaning. It can seem overwhelming. This is why I use the rule of working on what is immediate to my right.
5. Two-color of big garbage bags work for what needs to be thrown away and what needs to be given away. I throw away anything that is broken or gives me bad feelings that I keep telling myself I will fix or learn to love. If it’s been 6 months — toss it — this goes for everything — especially the stuff that makes you feel bad. If I haven’t used it in the last 6 months, it either goes in the garbage bag or the give-away bag.
A side rule for the give-away bag is that I make a commitment to give it away in seven days or it goes in the garbage. This motivates me to make sure I drop it off at Goodwill or the friend who expressed interest in having my clutter.
6. If you tend to be someone with paper piles, get two nice-looking boxes that will hold paper. Bring a garbage bag and sit down on the floor. In one box put everything you need to answer (or pay) in the next 30 days and put everything else in the other box, or throw away (or shred) those papers that don’t need attention in the garbage bag. Stack the decorative boxes in a corner with your pay-or-do-in-the-next-30-days box on the top.
7. Don’t get stuck thinking too long on anything. Speed and organization should be the goal — not lamenting for 20 minutes on every item trying to decide if you should keep it. If you haven’t used it in the past year — get rid of it!
8. If you are stuck and don’t know where to begin, visit Gail Blanke and her website, Throw Out Fifty Things. She has some great worksheets and tips for clearing out the clutter in your life. She’s the expert!
Gail’s tips on clearing the clutter.
I know that even with my sore muscles I feel lighter freer and ready to welcome the summer. Throwing a party is another great way to motivate you to organize your personal space.
Catherine Hughes is the founder, content director and editor-at-large of 8WomenDream. She is passionate about helping women step out of their own way and strike out into a world waiting for their special talents. She’s a published author and a former award-winning mom blogger. Catherine has helped companies both large and small create engaging web content, social media narratives, and unique blogging platforms. She claims to be a redhead, but don’t hold that against her.
Note: Articles by Catherine may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.
