Say goodbye to frozen mornings and welcome back to sunshiny days, because spring has returned in full bloom! The budding flowers and early nip in the air can rejuvenate even the most hibernated hearts. Of course, with this renewal of life and energy, many people designate spring as the season to reorganize their lives from closet to cupboard. Sometimes a good spring cleaning is just what the body needs to get the blood pumping, but this reevaluation of clutter can be applied to our personal lives as well. This season, let’s examine what we need and what we need to clear out in both our homes and lives to become our happiest.
The following list details everything we can throw out of our rooms, hearts, and minds.
1. Keepsake clothes.
Even though we might want to keep a fancy dress or favorite pair of ripped jeans in tribute to a certain memory, these items can take up a lot of room for just a second of happy recollection. For instance, that billowy prom or bridesmaid dress kept for old time’s sake is probably taking up enough space for three regular dresses. Similarly, if you keep something in the memory of a past size and hope of wearing it again, think about storing it elsewhere or simply donating it. Don’t let the presence of one garment dictate your goal’s success or current figure’s fashion.
Easy tip: if you haven’t worn it once in the past year and don’t expect to wear it soon, consider donating or trashing it, depending on the amount of wear and tear.
2. Toxic relationships.
Whether platonic or romantic, never sacrifice your peace and happiness by staying in a miserable relationship just because it is familiar. Friends come and go. Even worse, so can family members, including everyone from sibling to spouse. Yes, you might have history with someone, but you also have your own future. Don’t let someone else’s behavior or expectations limit your own peace of mind. You will most likely see this person again, especially if he or she is part of your family. However, a few minutes of awkwardness will always be worth your mental and emotional freedom.
Easy tip: if someone makes you cry more than laugh and hurt more than love, consider turning your attention to someone more deserving of your time and devotion.
3. Neglected projects.
Those art projects can quickly accumulate over a few months or even years of being on the back burner. Of course, some projects, such as scrapbooks, can be never-ending activities if there is proper storage space. However, assembling a shelf or sewing costumes usually requires its own station, and prolonged delay can easily create a cluttered environment. Keep what you truly plan to use, especially if you are a crafty and creative person. Yet, if one neglected project was supposed to be someone’s gift two birthdays ago, you can probably clean it up without much harm or guilt.
Easy tip: if a hobby becomes a chore, consider replacing it with something less stressful and time-consuming.
4. Grudges and impure thoughts.
Classify all those hard feelings as part of the winter blues and put them out of your mind as soon as possible. Nothing can darken a spring day more quickly or painfully than hatred. One of the hardest lessons to learn is that resenting someone else usually gives him or her more power over your own life and happiness. This season, take control of both. Even though it is sometimes ridiculously hard to forgive, let alone forget, think about all the time you are wasting by brooding instead of living.
Easy tip: if you feel yourself starting to hold a grudge, consider holding someone’s hand or a favorite stuffed animal instead.
5. Bad habits.
Everything from procrastinating to nail-biting falls under this category, and spring is the perfect time to renew one’s forgotten New Year’s resolutions. Some bad habits seem relatively harmless, but they can easily spin out of control. For instance, while obsessing over a homework assignment might make someone look like a good though paranoid student, he or she might be stressing to dangerous levels on the inside. Instead of ignoring bad habits until they reach the critical zone, resolve to break them to make your life a little less hectic.
Easy tip: if you catch yourself making a bad habit, consider taking a breath instead and finding a safer alternative.
