Flowers are blooming. Trees have beautiful buds that are about to turn into big blooms. It’s almost Dogwood time here in Tennessee. The allergies are in full force. The days are warming up. It all adds up to one thing — spring is here in Knoxville. There are so many great things about spring in East Tennessee. It’s a beautiful time of year to live in this area of the country. It’s also a great time of year to get to cleaning.
That’s right, the daunting SPRING CLEANING.
I used to be so overwhelmed by the thought of spring cleaning that I just didn’t do it. Then I went so hardcore that I wore myself and my family out. Now I’m looking for a balance. This year is about spring cleaning that makes sense for our family. I wanted it to be functional and purposeful. I wanted to make the best changes for our family that helped simplify our lives. So I went into spring cleaning this year with a few thoughts in mind.
These are my four secrets for functional and purposeful spring cleaning:
1. Less is more.
2. Simplify.
3. A place for everything.
4. Let it go.
Less is more.
We do not need to have all the toys. All the clothes. All the shoes. Less is more. I’ve come to realize that my children need a few toys they love to play with rather than all the toys that they might maybe play with one day. Less is more for clothes. Less is more for toys. Less is more.
Simplify.
Simple systems are key in cleaning. I often bite off more than I can chew thinking I will sort through, then clean, then organize, then get rid of some stuff, then re-organize what’s left {am I sounding crazy yet?}. The problem is that I’m a busy mom, and I don’t have time to do all of that! So this year I’m simplifying spring cleaning. Pull out, clean, and put back {or in the giveaway or sell pile}. Make a quick simple decision and move on. Maybe simplifying for you this year needs to be just getting rid of stuff quickly without the hassle of consigning or listing on a site. Then put it in a pile and call someone to come pick up your donations. Easy. Simple.
A Place for Everything.
One of my best friends has the cleanest, tidiest looking house — always. Even when all of the toys are out her house still looks so tidy. I finally figured out why. She has a place for everything. Every toy has a spot, every group of painting supplies goes in a basket together, her couches aren’t overcrowded with pillows, her kitchen has exactly what she needs and no more. Everything has a place, and being in her house is perfection. I want my house to be like that. It used to be, but during the past couple of years things have gathered and accrued, as they do, and now I find myself with lots of stuff. This spring cleaning I’m finding a place for everything and getting rid of the rest {see points 1, 2, & 4}.
Let It Go.
We all know the song, so now it’s time to practice it in our homes. I tend to hold on to things thinking I will one day wear it, one day use it, one day eat it, or the kids will one day play with it. We may or may not, but what’s more important right now is that I let it go. I’m letting go of all of those clothes I may one day wear and the toys my kids may one day play with. They’ll get more. None of us will even be upset the next day after we let it go.
All of these things will help me to be purposeful as I clean in order to make a more functional home for my family and our daily lives. I hope you find them helpful, too! Good luck on your cleaning this spring!
