Spring Cleaning

What comes to mind when you think of spring cleaning? Likely it relates to warmer weather, sunshine, and a fresh scent throughout your home. For the last couple of years, however, I've done “spring cleaning” in January. Closets, drawers, and bookshelves are all thoroughly cleaned out. Boxes of clothes and household goods are donated to charity, and the space is washed or dusted as needed. Since I love to be outside when it is warm, I think I do my “spring cleaning” when the weather is colder - once it warms up it is hard to keep me inside! Spring cleaning gives me a great sense of accomplishment. Things no longer needed leave my home, giving me space. What is kept is often reorganized and easier to find (at least for a while!).

Spring cleaning doesn't have to occur when the calendar says it is spring - and it doesn't have to be limited to our homes either. With spring can come rainy days (and goodness have we seen our share in Memphis this year!), and what better way to spend a rainy day inside than cleaning out your paper and electronic files. With a shredder handy, paper files can be decluttered while watching a good movie or listening to music. Don't forget your computer! Clean out your email inbox, pull up seldom used document files to see if they can be deleted, and be sure and empty your temporary files. How much space can you make on your computer? Pull up your internet browser and scroll through your bookmarks. How many can you delete? How much easier will be it be to find the bookmark you need when the excess is eliminated?

You can make spring cleaning a day long project, or break it down and tackle a certain part each day for a week or so. Whether in your home or in your work area, you will gain space, a great sense of accomplishment and a fresh start!