Spring Cleaning

As weather warms, we start to get out of our winter cocoons. Winter is a great time to rest and recuperate from the busy-ness of last year, and get ready for the new season. Now, it seems, winter is always “go go go”, with New Year’s resolutions hitting right in the middle. We like to put resolutions off until spring, when our energy starts to come back, and we’re ready to start new projects, like clearing out the old to get ready for the new.

Spring cleaning has long heralded the shift from winter to summer. This year, as you are cleaning out your space, to get ready for the coming of warmer weather and longer days, let’s bring some intentionality to what you keep, and what you shed, because it’s not serving you anymore.

As a professional organization company, sometimes our clients ask us what they should get rid of. There’s never one thing we think everyone should get rid of (except Crocs, always get rid of them). But there are some underlying suggestions that seem to be helpful in these decisions.

• Anything broken. Unless you have a specific plan to get it fixed or mended. Sometimes having a spot set aside for things that need mending, and time set aside in your calendar to do mending, but if not, let it go!
• Hobby or sports equipment that you didn’t use last year. Yes, that fly fishing class you took years ago was great, but if you haven’t gotten into it by now, chances are, you won’t, and you could pass on those supplies to someone who will use them. 
• Clothes that don’t fit, or that you haven’t worn in a year. We suggest every year you turn your hangers around in your closet and when you use an item of clothing, turn the hanger the right way. Then you can tell what you have and haven’t used and let go of what you don’t love and find clothes that bring more joy into your wardrobe.
• Food that’s years past its expiration date, has gone stale or you won’t use. While most canned food is good for years after its “expiration” date, evaluating if you’ll ever actually use that can of garbanzo beans is a good plan. 
• Old decorations. We advise clients to go through holiday décor as holidays come around, when you already have it pulled out. If you didn’t get that done, take some time to free up space in the garage or attic.
• Toys or art supplies that your kids have outgrown, or don’t use any more

 

Congratulations! You got all that stuff out of your space! Whether it was a single trash bag or a dumpster full of stuff, you did a great job! Now comes the question, where do you take it? Most things can be donated, instead of just thrown away, though those broken things for sure should just go in the garbage. My first suggestion is thinking of friends or family members who could use it. Some of my friends always have rotating box of clothes that travels from house to house, with people adding to or taking from it. Many churches or non-profits sponsor stuff swaps that will let you bring what isn’t working for you and swap for things that you do need. There are also great companies that take donations to sponsor great programs. The Other Side Thrift is my favorite. They run a 2.5 year rehabilitation program for people who want to turn their lives around, and the thrift store is just one of the companies they run to support the program. I also like Savers as when you donate, it goes to the Boy’s and Girl’s club, and Savers pays them for your donations. There are plenty of other places that take donations, as well, these are just my favorites. If you can’t seem to get it out of your house, reach out to us, and we’ll haul your stuff away for you. 

Stuff can be sentimental. Keep what makes you happy and let go of the rest. In the end, we live in a world with an overabundance of stuff. Letting go of some of it can clear up space in your brain to start a business, learn a new skill, or focus on what’s most important to YOU. 

What are you doing to do with all that space?

Guest written by Melissa Pistorius, from Sunflower Life Organizing, where we specialize in setting up systems and routines for everyone to get and stay organized.