While life is certainly looking different these days, I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time in my own home and focus on what matters most. What does home really mean? For me, it is a place of safety, refuge, and family. I find rest, joy, and comfort there. But over time, doesn’t everything, even our safe haven, become cluttered and affected by the distractions and busyness of life? I have always been one to adhere to a “Spring Cleaning” of sorts, but now more than ever I am inclined to get my “nest” clean and tidy to counteract the chaos surrounding us. While there is much work to be done, it’s nothing a little elbow grease and dedicated attention cannot handle. The season of fresh, new beginnings starts now!
There are many practical and psychological reasons to give your home some much needed love, so “Spring into Clean” and reap the benefits:
Say Goodbye to Winter: It’s official – winter blues be gone, spring is upon us! With this new season always comes more activity, both inside and outside of the home. For that reason, it’s time to dust off the furniture, deep clean, scrub and organize, declutter your surfaces, open up the windows, and give your home a breath of fresh air! Purging your home of these toxins gives your mind a sense of renewal as well. You’ll reap the many psychological benefits of the annual rhythm of Spring Cleaning. Productivity, peace of mind, and overall well-being will likely be impacted for the better.
Take Control: While there is so much going on right now that is totally out of our control, it is important to focus on things we can manage, like our homes! We can absolutely take the reins of getting our houses in order. Environment is always incredibly important, but especially so right now when we’re spending so much of our time in the same place. Reduce stress in your surroundings, and get a boost of energy as well. Another huge plus? It is free. Of course, enlist professionals (or your family) to help if need be; but you would be hard-pressed to find a more helpful and impactful active step to take, at potentially zero cost! A win-win.
Interior Refresh: Perhaps you’ve been contemplating some small home updates, or even a total home makeover with professional design help. In either case, I recommend a major decluttering effort to give yourself a blank slate. It is important to first subtract before adding anything new. The best way to set the stage for an upcoming interior refresh is to honestly and thoroughly edit the old. Let the excitement of what’s to come motivate you to complete this often dreaded task. While we have this rare opportunity, let’s not miss this important first step of the design process and take advantage of our time at home!
I know as well as anyone, working on your home is a process. So much intention and care must be applied to add layers of character, personality, and organization. It can be overwhelming to even think about tackling Spring Cleaning, but perhaps these benefits will help encourage you to just start somewhere. Especially now, it is more than just a heavy duty clean – this can be a way to feel grateful for what we have, cherish those things which are important to us, and inspire a sense of rebirth. Perhaps a fresh start this Spring is just what we all need!