On March 20 we will say goodbye to old man winter and hello to spring! I for one am excited about a new season and look forward to getting a jumpstart on spring cleaning. I am going through a lot of personal changes that have turned my world upside down, which is why I have been absent from the blog. I have been navigating a tough season with my family, which has left me feeling lost in a strange and unfamiliar space. I am working my way through this space by leaning on God and depending on the path he is making through this wilderness.
Instead of focusing on what I can not change, and have no control over, I am working on being intentional about what I can do in this season to keep my spirit and mind encouraged. I have discovered that when my physical space is clean and uncluttered, and when I have a sense of order, I feel less overwhelmed and more capable of dealing with the practical day-to-day stuff in life.
What is more practical than spring cleaning? Please, don't get overwhelmed by the idea of spring cleaning! The idea of spring cleaning is to take away the overwhelm and bring more peace and white space in your life to spend time doing what matters most, like spending precious time with your family, inviting friends over for a meal, or simply sitting in a space that makes you feel good.
Are you ready to get started? I have 5 simple tips to share with you and a comprehensive Spring Cleaning Checklist download that will keep you on track and guide you along your spring cleaning journey!
Tip #1 - Create a Plan
Don't jump in blind! All successful endeavors start with a plan! Maybe not every room in your house needs a deep spring cleaning, maybe it's just that pesky spare bedroom where everything is stored or it's the garage that is your Achille's heel. Take a moment to devise your plan of attack by taking inventory in your home. Think about these questions:
What room(s) need a deep dive spring clean?
What days and time blocks can you carve out to focus on spring cleaning?
Are you getting the kids involved in your plan?
What's your spring cleaning goal? Having an end goal in mind will keep you motivated when you're losing steam!
Tip #2 - Focus on one space at a time
I am a bunny trailer by nature, and easily lose focus which ends with me frustrated and ready to throw in the towel. Once you make a plan, choose one room or space at a time to focus on. I find quick wins are a motivator! Choose a space that can be conquered without too much effort. For example, maybe it is wiping down the baseboards in your living room, cleaning out a junk drawer, or throwing out expired canned foods on a shelf in your pantry.
If you are one of those rare birds, who do better by tackling the most difficult task first, that's great! Do what works best for you and will help you get moving!
"It’s not what you do that makes you tired. It’s what you don’t do." – Donna Otto, Modern Homemakers
Tip #3 - Be Equipped with the Tools You Need!
Be efficient by having the tools you need at your fingertips. Nothing slows down progress more than when you are unprepared. Preparation is key! Take a moment to gather your cleaning supplies, your 3 bags for throw away, give away and put away if you are decluttering, and anything else that will help you get your room in tip-top shape!
Tip #4 - Set a Timer
Don't spend hours in one room! That is exhausting! Break down your spring cleaning into 15-20 minute increments and set a timer. If I know I have 15 minutes I will be super focused on the task and maximizing the time. Plus it's fun to beat the clock! Do this time blocking for every room in your house that you plan to spring clean.
An example of a plan might look like this for spring cleaning your bathroom.
Monday- 15 minutes cleaning out the medicine cabinet
Tuesday- 15 minutes cleaning out the bottom of your sink
Wednesday- 15 minutes getting rid of ratty old towels and washcloths
Thursday- 15 minutes deep cleaning your toilet and sink
Friday - 15 minutes cleaning your tub and tiles and laundering your liner and shower curtain
Easy peasy, right?
Tip #5 - Get the Family Involved
You are not an island unto yourself! Get the kids involved and delegate! Will you get pushback, maybe, but don't give in! Getting your kids involved is a way to prepare them for when they leave your nest and you are nurturing a sense of family responsibility. Make spring cleaning a family project and have a fun reward to keep morale high. Rewards can be simple, like a family trip to Starbucks, pizza night, or let them choose!
A few things to keep in mind when you're delegating:
Be clear on the task. Don't say, "clean your room," and leave it at that. Be specific. For example, if you want them to clean their bookshelf, tell them to take any book off the shelf that they don't read and can give away. The more targeted your ask is the less room for misunderstanding.
Give them the tools and instruction they need. Using our bookshelf example, make sure they have a box for the books and if you want them to wipe down the shelves give them the cleaning supplies to do so. If you have younger kids, it is important to show them how to do it, so they don't end up frustrated.
Don't overwhelm them. Dole out tasks that are age-appropriate and not overwhelming. Don't ask them to clean the garage in a day. Break the tasks down into 15-minute increments so it is doable.
Download Your Spring Check List & Get Started!
I am a firm believer in checklists! So, before you get started on your spring cleaning journey, please download this comprehensive checklist I created to keep you organized. One final note, don't strive for perfection, instead, get it as good as you can get it in a way that brings you joy!
Click below to download your checklist and share it with your friends!