It’s time for spring-cleaning! Normally I would be rolling my eyes and doing everything possible to procrastinate. This year, however, I have an entirely new outlook on the art of spring-cleaning.
Spring-cleaning usually consists of spending a weekend covered in dust, throwing out old receipts, rearranging furniture, putting everything back in its “place. I do think this type of cleansing is necessary. Winter laziness gets the best of everyone and before we know it, our houses are cluttered with crap we just don’t need. So yes, clean clean clean!
But, there’s another type of spring-cleaning that I think is equally if not more important. Personal cleansing. I’m not (necessarily) talking about hopping on the recent bandwagon of literal cleansing of the body – but moreso the spiritual and emotional cleansing.
Here’s what I recommend and will be partaking in myself. It breaks into two categories:
Out with the old: We are all participants in the great circle of life. Traditionally, spring is the beginning – it’s the rebirth after everything has been diminished over the winter – quite literally. Everything dies in the winter; the trees, the flowers, the grass and all warmth (unless you live in San Francisco where the weather is moody). The dried leaves are raked up and thrown away in preparation for the freeze.
Personally, you need to do the same. Take time to reflect on the past year and throw away any feelings of negativity that the cold winter has left you. When you are a negative person, you attract negative people, and then you feed off of each other’s negativity and it turns into a big, bad, Negative Nancy-fest. Has harsh as it may sound, rid yourself of those negative people. Stop talking to the people that bring you down. They aren’t good for you or for your lifestyle.
But, getting rid of the negativity in your life doesn’t stop there. You have to rid yourself of it too.
Take a step back and look at which behaviors you exhibit that are good for you and those that are not. Determine why and what is causing these actions to be present in your life, and what you can do to let go of them.
In with the new: During springtime, the flowers start to bloom, the leaves bud on the trees, and the grass becomes greener. That’s the same effect the spring should have on you.
There is good in everything. Sometimes it’s easier to find than others, but it’s crucial to find that positive and hang on to it. Tight. You need to reinforce the positive thoughts and behaviors in order for them to drive your life. Be positive with who you are and surround yourself with other positive people. That way, your positivity can radiate throughout each other.
Do things for yourself and remind yourself of all your positive attributes every day. Be proud of yourself even if it means putting your paystub up on your refrigerator. Put yourself out there and meet new people. Embrace the outgoing in you. At times this can be challenging, but you never know who you’re going to meet and who has the ability to add to the positivity in your life.
Take a class, join a club, get a massage, make plans a week in advance, do something that makes you happy. Happiness is nothing to sneeze at and it’s a word that’s often overused. It comes and goes, but it’s always important to be doing everything in your power to create your own happiness.
Bottom line: Use spring-cleaning as an excuse. An excuse to restart and refresh your life. How are you going to do it?
I REALLY. REALLY LIKE THIS!! AS YOU WELL KNOW I AM A YEAR- ROUND SPRING CLEANER. I DO HOWEVER NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME ON THE “SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL” CLEANSING. WELL WRITTEN AS ALWAYS.
MUCH LOVE……….
Thanks for the comment! You are definitely the cleanest person I know – but you should definitely spend time on YOU! Because YOU are what is important 🙂
Lauren I LOVE this article!! And the picture is so beautiful! I will talk to you soon!
Can’t wait!
Ohhh love this! Happy is a word that gets thrown around too much, you are so right. I need to put some of these lines on post it notes!
Do it! I have several post-its around my apartment that are good to just remind me of the positive things in every day! It’s helpful to have those little reminders. Then, you have no excuse but to be happy – really, truly, happy!
Lor – loved this article. You are so right. We control our own destiny and if we surround ourselves with happiness and positivity our destiny will be filled with happiness. You are obviously doing well in SF and I couldn’t be happier for you (no pun intended). Love you
Thank you! I couldn’t have done it without all of your support and encouragement. We DO control our destiny and we have the power to make our life positive!
I loved your article. Very true!!
Thanks for the comment!
Lauren: Well stated and a nice article. I’m not as much into spring housecleaning as I used to be. I say, leave it until fall when there is not as much yard work to consume every waking moment. It is certainly important to maintain a positive attitude and not surround yourself with negative people or thoughts. A person needs to keep active and engaged in life inorder to get the most out of said life.
You’re right! Surrounding yourself with positive people is the first step. Then you can feed off of each other’s positivity and just radiate happiness! As always, thanks for your comment 🙂
Beautiful! Thanks for reminding us all what it’s all about…….a