Spring Reset
I have been aching for the opportunity to do a Spring Reset, and the time is nigh. With work and houseguests and adult children back in the nest for a spell, I just have not had the time nor the mental state to embark upon one of my favorite annual rituals. But I realized the other day when I was staring at the eclipse (through a pair of safety glasses, of course) that this glorious spring is going by too quickly and I need to get on with it already. Now, why am I calling it a Spring Reset instead of just listing out how to do a spring cleaning, you may ask? Well, it is so much MORE than just a clean. Cleaning is also very welcome and needed this time of year, but some other areas of our lives need attention as well. I like to set aside a little bit of time each day for about a week to do a reset of this magnitude, but you could also set aside a weekend and just really go at it! Let's go!
1. Make your Action Item list
Take a moment to walk through your home and scan what you have going on. What is nagging at you? What feels good? Take it all in. Then grab your notebook and a cup of tea (or something stronger if necessary) and make your Action Item list. The Action Item list is a list of all the things you notice that need to GET DONE. Dangling weather strips in the windows, jiggly doorknob in your kid's room, dead lightbulb in your chandelier, pile of drycleaning from your winter season, low on tp... you get the idea. When you do your walkthrough make note of all these kinds of action items from each part of your home and make your list. Not sure where to begin or feeling overwhelmed? Here are the areas I will be tackling on my list:
-sort through and wash all my tote bags/grocery bags (they are icky)
-empty out my wallet and daily bag and put it in order
-clean out my car and restock the "emergency" pouch
-replace my gross toilet brushes
-stake my giant leaning plant
-fix the hinge on a wonky kitchen cabinet
-take the ever growing plastic bag bundle to the recycle area at my grocery store
-finally put the handles on the garage cabinet (3 years now on this one...)
-switch to spring capsule wardrobe
-schedule car tune up so that I can have AC this year
-take stock of what is in my freezer and use it up in my meal planning
-same goes with my pantry
-sand and paint over big blob of spackle where our old alarm box used to be
-finally make a spare key for our neighbor to keep in case we get locked out
This is just an example, and I probably have more to list. Action Items are not to be confused with your cleaning list, and tackling them will just help quiet their nagging little voices that call out to us when we ignore them for too long. Once you have your Action Item list, schedule the time with yourself to get it done, and the sooner the better. Ask for help if you need it.
2. Cleaning
Each human has their own idea of clean, their own tolerances and pet peeves, and therefore there is no one format for what is acceptable Spring Cleaning. I do have a general road map I will share below, but the main idea is to clean up each room in your home as best as you can, and know that there is going to be a huge sense of satisfaction when it is completed. The rewards of doing a deep cleaning on your home (I suggest twice a year, in the spring and fall) do heaps for our mental and physical health (bye bye dust bunnies) and it certainly contributes to that feeling of being reset for the change in the season. If you live with other humans, don't forget to invite them to join in the fun! Even the smallest of family members can wipe down a shelf and kids love spraying a hose at a trash can. Here is my basic road map for a good but not punishing spring clean:
-start by dusting around the ceiling corners in each room
-wipe down light fixtures
-pull furniture away from walls and vacuum out the dust bunnies
-vacuum under couches, furniture, and beds
-dust all
-clean all lightswitch plates
-wash all bedding, including mattress pads and pillows
-rotate mattresses
-clean toilets, sinks, showers, and wash shower curtains if you have them
-clean kitchen cabinets and drawers inside and out, vac out crumbs
-clean out fridge and wash bins and drawers in warm soapy water
-clean stovetop, oven, and vent hood
-dump out toaster and wipe down all small appliances and microwave
-if you have a washing machine/dryer, give them a wipe down and run an empty cycle on hot with a cup of white vinegar, then run another cycle on hot with a cup of baking soda.
-if you have a dishwasher, run an empty cycle on "sanitize" or run a cycle with vingegar
-if you have a fireplace, sweep out any ash and debris
-wash all trash cans in warm soapy water and let dry in the sun
-wash your slipcovers or vac your upholstery on your couch and spot clean
- and finally, give a good vacuum and mopping of your floors
-bonus points for replacing any and all home system filters or batteries and also not a bad idea to clean out your vac canister or replace the bag once you are done!
Taking the time to make an Action Item list is going to give you a sense of control over the little things that are calling for your attention daily, and will make your home and life run more smoothly. Giving your home a good extra cleaning this time of year will not only make your mind feel more at peace, but it will also create a healthier environment for you and those you share your home with. Next up, we will chat about Spring Decluttering as part of the Reset plan. Cheers!