It is March. A few months into 2019, many New Year's resolutions have been abandoned, the weather is beginning to show signs of summer, and spring cleaning has begun. While the term "spring cleaning" may conjure up images of dusting, mopping, and scrubbing down every surface to some, there is more that can be done to clean out one's life before summer begins. From clearing your phone out to finding small ways to improve your quality of life, by spring cleaning your life you can start spring and summer off on the right foot and keep on appreciating the little things.
1. Delete old pictures off of your phone
Your phone storage is probably close to being full, so why not delete old pictures off of your photos app? Random screenshots and duplicates of photos are unnecessary, and only make your phone run slower.
2. Start using an agenda
Whether its the notes app on your phone, another note-taking app, or a physical agenda, organizing your schedule and planning your days is a huge step in spring cleaning your life.
3. Clean out your entire living space
For college students, this means gutting your dorm, organizing all of those drawers, re-structuring your closet, and re-folding clothes in all of your drawers. For those with an apartment or a house of their own, this is a much larger task, but once completed can give you peace of mind.
4. Get rid of clothes you never wear
The shirt you wore a few times but haven't touched in months? The shorts you've had for years and have worn way too many times? Donate or sell your old clothes and your closet and drawers will be more organized, as well as being filled with items you actually wear.
5. Delete social media apps from your phone
Give yourself a day-long detox from Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat and see how much you can get done, and how much more free you feel. Spring cleaning can be about cleaning your mind too, and social media apps can leave you distracted and stressed.
6. Try to make your bed every morning
Getting this one task done first thing in the morning will jump-start your day and make your living space feel more clean and open.
7. Re-adjust your New Year's resolutions
Forget the idea that you can only begin to re-invent your life on January 1st. By starting a new healthy habit this spring, you can better your life.
8. Bring flowers or plants into your room
Having either a vase of flowers or potted plants around your living space creates a more fresh, lively atmosphere.
9. Try cutting down your phone usage
Reducing the amount of time you spend on your phone during the day opens up time to be spent on being productive or doing things you enjoy, like hanging out with friends and family. Putting your phone down when you get in bed at night instead of spending hours mindlessly scrolling also helps you get better sleep.
10. Set a goal to volunteer at least once a month
By giving back to your community, you can bring joy to others. Volunteering at your local homeless shelter, animal rescue, or nursing home is an amazing way to spread the love this spring, and by choosing to do something for others rather than for yourself, you are active "spring cleaning" your spirit.
