Spring is right around the corner…this Sunday it officially begins. Daylight Savings is upon us…temperatures are warming up…the sun seems brighter…there is talk of spring break and beach get aways…the birds are singing songs in unison.
And often our thoughts turn to spring cleaning!
Historically, spring cleaning arose because after heating and lighting a house using oil, wood, gas, candles and kerosene during the winter season, the house would be coated with a layer of sooty, black grime. So when the heating season ended, people cleaned and cleaned and cleaned…beating rugs, washing walls, airing mattresses. And then summer rugs, bedclothes and draperies were exchanged for winter accessories.
We of course don’t have this same grime, but interestingly enough the ritual of spring cleaning remains with us. So the question is…is your clutter making you crazy? Actually your mess can lead to heightened feelings of stress. Why? Clutter overstimulates us making our senses attuned to things that aren’t important or necessary. Clutter distracts our focus on what we should be paying attention to. Clutter makes it quite difficult to relax, not only physically but mentally as well. Clutter is a constant reminder telling us that our work is not done. Clutter creates anxiety. Clutter can create feelings of embarrassment or guilt when others drop over unexpectedly to our homes or offices. Clutter stifles creativity and our ability to problem solve and brainstorm. Clutter frustrates us because we can’t find what we need. Did you know that a recent study has shown that clutter actually raises stress hormones in women? I probably didn’t need to tell you that…yes your clutter can make you feel crazy!
There has been a lot of chatter about the book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of De-cluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo. The author believes that we de-clutter in order to be free and live life unburdened. She advocates de-cluttering rather than organizing because why keep things you don’t love or use very often. She suggests when sorting through your things ask the question, “Does this spark joy?” If not then discard or donate it. The book is steeped in Japanese culture so some parts might seem foreign to our way of everyday living but on the whole it is an interesting read.
For the past 15 years, the UK has sponsored National Spring Cleaning Week (actually occurring now) and their mission is to inspire and educate all the UK to spring clean not only their homes and workplaces but their lives as well. Some of us enjoy cleaning, some of us don’t at all…wouldn’t it be great to network with others, hold each other accountable, and interject some competitive fun in our spring cleaning? Any ideas? Some of us may really need a little push …Chris Hemsworth, otherwise known as Thor the hunky Marvel Super Hero, says, ” I have sporadic OCD cleaning moments around the house. But then I get lazy and I’m cured. It’s a very inconsistent personality trait.”
I don’t feel so bad…even Super Heroes need some spring cleaning motivation so as not to become clutter crazy!
