Spring cleaning, where is he going with a title like this in self-development?
Some of it may be pretty easy to implement, and some may not and will challenge you. I never said it was easy to take on and embed positive changes.
Spring cleaning is a time for renewal, longer days, and warmer forecasts.
It is also a time for deep cleaning—to clear out the dust and cobwebs that gather in our homes and minds. So if one of your goals this season is to get organised, you are in good company! Whether it is a desk covered with papers, a wardrobe stuffed with clothes and shoes, a garage you cannot step in, a G drive, an email inbox or a kitchen cabinet. You will never see the bottom of it.
Clutter has a nasty way of keeping us stuck, distracted, and stressed. However, what is in your outer positively impacts your head—which is why cleaning it out can positively impact your energy, outlook, and stress levels in the long run.
I will leave you to organise your household chores as I am sure this is not what you want to read here (however, happy to discuss this with you, too, if you reach out to me). But, see how we can improve the rest differently. As mentioned in my previous blog, “How long does it take to form a habit.”
Things do not happen overnight. Time, diligence, and perseverance are of the essence and no exception for this one! Small steps are better than none and keep you moving in the right direction, and progress is made. Not doing anything will be a bad habit.
Spring cleaning checklist – first things first
Think about your bedtime routine. It is always good to empty your head before bed to switch it off for the night and rest properly. But unfortunately, too many of us go to bed with so much on our minds, mainly due to social media usage. As a result, we only get deep sleep for a short period.
The first instance of the cycle starts turning and twisting; some wake up, some are very restless and wake up in the morning, not feeling any better than when going to bed, and you know it will be a very long day. Does this sound like you? Would you fall asleep in the middle of the day to catch up on needed sleep?
Like when making a list when finishing work to plan the next working day, we should do the same with the rest of our thoughts and get them on paper before turning the lights off. Then, try and see whether the quality of our rest time improves.
SO
On paper, can you look at negative thoughts, fears, worries or limiting beliefs that you have been carrying around for far too long? Get clear on how you are holding yourself back and upgrade your mindset to match your future aspirations.
After all, we all know how we want a better lot. As the great Earl Nightingale once said, “whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality”. Get clear on how you are holding yourself back and upgrade your mindset to match your aspirations.
Another good thing to do during Spring Cleaning is to go through all your folders, G drive and paperwork. Anything over 12 months old should not be kept for legal reasons; it should be shredded, burnt, or whatever way you usually deal with these.
Our desktops and folders reflect what is going on in our minds, and a clear conscious will trigger positivity and lightness within you. I know it is difficult to part with stuff; however, ask yourself, when was the last time I looked at this, or when was the last time I needed this? Now, you need to be truthful with yourself on this one. Remember, you are doing it for yourself, not me or the neighbour.
Get rid of toxic habits and people, patterns and clutter!
And
Another one to strongly consider during Spring Cleaning is old habits. Again, I am not saying you need to do a total overall as this is not practical, and no one wants to make that radical change anyway, but sometimes one or two can have a positive outcome to positive change.
Think about this for a minute.
Whether you like it or not, you are what you do daily. Our life comprises habits, rituals, and routines (two subjects I wrote about previously, funny enough). Thus, you better have tremendous habits if you want an intelligent life.
To cleanse your habits, list everything you do in a week. Then, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this habit aligned with my goals?
- Is this habit good for me?
- Do I enjoy this, or am I doing it just out of habit or social pressure?
THE KEY IS…
If you cannot answer any of these questions positively, you should look at your habits and see where you can make a small change. We can all do this quite quickly.
We need a little willpower and perseverance.
Suppose you fail the first time around. Not an issue.
Just try again differently. It will eventually come! Any steps will keep you moving in the right direction and making progress.
Likewise, look at unsubscribing and unfollowing people/groups which do not bring anything positive to your life, setting time limits on apps, or doing a digital detox. Any of these activities will help you regain a sense of control and will reduce stress.
A more intimate action, maybe the most difficult one, to carry out on the digital front is to clear out any unwanted phone numbers and email addresses from all devices. When looking at our list, we have so much that becomes irrelevant yet can negatively affect our lives.
So, spring Clean is the perfect time of the year to review, analyse and act. Whether on social media or in real life, unfollowing toxic people you know are not suitable for you will free up tremendous mental space and increase your happiness by removing tons of negativity from your life. So, let’s think about this one a little.
Get rid of toxic habits and people, patterns and clutter!
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Go through all the social media platforms you are using. Remove or unfollow people you do not remember meeting or that post annoying and damaging stuff. Leave or mute groups that are no longer relevant to you.
For maintenance, think of a personal system for limiting your social media use, so it does not clutter your mind constantly. For example, maybe you want to turn off notifications and only check all your accounts three times a day.
REAL LIFE:
Make a list of the people you spend the most time with (family, friends, colleagues) and ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I excited to see this person when we meet up?
- Does this person treat me well?
- Is this person good for me?
- Does this person lift me higher?
Remember, on average; you hang out most with five people, yes, 5, so make sure your friends reflect your aspirations, lifestyle, and mindset.
It is OK to let go of friendships from time to time if they are no longer serving you.
Sometimes, you do not need to do something or tell the person actively; it will naturally fade over time and might even be the best for you. I call it natural wastage! However, detaching from toxic friendships attached to groups might be more difficult.
