Entering my house in a particular way can induce panic. I must be careful when choosing the direction of my gaze if I’m to care for my emotional well-being. A slight turn to my left is an act of self-care.
At the left of our entrance exists a plant-filled, tastefully decorated dining room flooded with natural light. To my right stands a Lego/play/art/dumping space that acts as a graveyard for all the things that don’t belong. Can you guess which side of the house causes me anxiety?
I’m not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, and I’ve accepted mess and disorganization as one of my more natural states. But if I’m being honest, it also drives me crazy! It’s aggravating to dip in and out of chaos, with seemingly little control of when or why, and while minimalism could foreseeably cure this ailment, it just isn’t a practical option for me at the moment.
So what’s an overwhelmed, clutter-detesting woman who has commitment issues that prevent her from going all-in with minimalism do? Spring cleaning!
While I haven’t completely given up on the idea of minimalism, and there are aspects of my life that mirror minimalism (I own five pairs of shoes, total, but don’t look at my handbag collection m’kay?), I’m much more apt to participate in spring cleaning than adjust my lifestyle drastically (for the time being, at least). Not because minimalism is a futile endeavor, but because I intentionally seek a middle path (often in response to my all-or-nothing tendencies). In other words: spring cleaning feels like a happy medium.
As I write this, spring equinox is only three days away (March 20th), a perfect time to investigate the origins of spring cleaning (instead of doing any actual cleaning). If you’re curious, you can Google the origins of spring cleaning, but if you want a quick-to-digest summary, here’s the gist.
It’s up for debate as to who started what and when, but the most likely answer is Mother Nature. While traditions exist in countries and cultures worldwide, spring cleaning likely began with biology. Our urge to clean in March has more to do with melatonin production than any lifestyle fad. More light means less melatonin, compelling us to stay awake longer and feel more energized. In tandem with the arrival of spring, we appease our desire for renewal by manipulating our external environment.
“Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried under everything you own.”
~ Joshua Becker
But I’m not here to discuss the history of spring cleaning at length or argue about its origins. That’s not the point I’m trying to make. What I’m trying to say is that spring cleaning is not just a cultural or religious ritual. Nor is it a strictly utilitarian practice. It’s an opportunity to be mindful and intentional about the more profound value hidden within our possessions in hopes of creating an environment in which we feel at peace.
It’s no secret that a messy, chaotic house can hurt our mental health, but there’s no one-size-fits-all method for creating a peaceful home. Figuring out what works for you is more important than any advice you might procure (from me or otherwise). The key is to find a system that takes this outcome-oriented practice and makes it all about the process. That’s where the real magic happens. So whether we adopt the philosophy of Feng Shui or Minimalism, the methods of Mari Kondo, or Swedish Death Cleaning, we’ll feel the most significant impact if we stay present through the process (and avoid daydreaming about our Pinterest perfect living room).
Feng Shui: A method of addressing the energy of a space through the manipulation of its component parts in an attempt to foster good energy flow.
Minimalism: A practice in keeping what is functional or beautiful and eliminating the rest in an effort to focus one’s attention on what’s most important.
Mari Kondo: A method of acquainting oneself with each belonging to determine whether it continues to serve a purpose in your life.
Swedish Death Cleaning: A cleaning ritual that keeps death in mind – to consider items in a home, based on whether someone would appreciate having it once you’re gone.
Not all of us adopt spring cleaning rituals, and my intent is not to convince you to upend your house each March. But if we choose to engage in this ritual, in some form or another, choosing to approach it with awareness will bring deeper meaning to the process. Not only while spring cleaning but while living life.
Whether you’re driving or gardening, helping your kid with their homework, or spring cleaning, taking opportunities to be more mindful is like cleaning house internally, decluttering the mind so that we can remain more focused and present for those things that matter most.
Please know that in no way, shape or form am I an expert in these methods, nor do I consistently practice them. Please do not take my two-sentence summaries to be the complete story behind these philosophies, practices, and methods. I’ve added links, though they are also limited in their information and perspectives. If you’re interested in delving deep into these methods, I encourage you to do more research.
