How to Tackle Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is among us, and this is the perfect opportunity to go through your belongings! It can result in bringing a large donation to Goodwill or an emotional time full of nostalgia, or even both. I can think of many times, especially when I was younger when my mom would make a day on the weekend all about spring cleaning. We would go through my clothes to see what did not fit anymore and donate any toys or books that were not being used. Spring cleaning is very similar now, but it includes dusting and reorganizing, and going through old belongings.

There are some understandable negatives and reasons why people hate and avoid spring cleaning. Sorting through belongings during spring cleaning may bring up feelings of attachment or nostalgia, making it challenging to declutter and let go of certain items. This is true especially when going through items from your childhood such as stuffed animals or journals/diaries. This emotional aspect can make the cleaning process more difficult and time-consuming. It can also be overwhelming, and the feeling of overwhelm may lead to procrastination or avoidance of the cleaning tasks.

You may be wondering: ff it can be difficult, time-consuming, and overwhelming, then why should I even participate in Spring cleaning? There are actually many benefits. Over time, dust, allergens, and other pollutants can accumulate in our spaces. Spring cleaning involves deep cleaning activities like dusting, vacuuming, and washing surfaces, which can help reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality. This is particularly important to do if you have bad allergies! Regular cleaning also helps eliminate food crumbs, spills, and other debris that can attract pests like ants, cockroaches, and rodents.

A clean and organized living space can have a positive impact on your mental health and overall well-being. Clutter and mess can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety, while a tidy environment can promote a sense of calm and relaxation. A clutter-free and organized space can enhance productivity and focus. When your home or workspace is clean and well maintained, you’re less likely to be distracted by clutter and more able to concentrate on tasks at hand.

A tip that might help you is to break it down into smaller tasks. Instead of trying to tackle everything in one day, create a checklist of specific areas or tasks to focus on each day or weekend. This approach can make the process feel less overwhelming and more achievable. Also, if you tend to get overwhelmed or distracted easily, try setting a timer for each task! I asked McMurry students and Alumni about their opinions on Spring Cleaning and people said that they like it because it’s therapeutic, they like feeling organized afterward, and it gives them the opportunity to clean & help their mental health. I hope that these reasons from myself and other students inspire you to do some spring cleaning this week!