More than cleaning out the cobwebs and scrubbing the base boards, spring always feels like a new beginning to me. A time to assess what’s going on in my life, and identify areas where I can make some improvements, or just do little things to make sure the season gets started on the right foot. In case you feel the same way, here are 10 Ways to Spring Clean Your Life!
1. Organize your finances
Spring is the perfect time to organize and refresh your finances. If you haven’t nailed down a budgeting system that works for you, it’s time.
2. Declutter your home
Don’t get me wrong, getting the house squeaky-clean each spring feels great, but decluttering it feels even better. Try going room-by-room over the next couple of weeks, and getting rid of the items that you no longer need, are broken, and/or haven’t been used in years.
Be honest with yourself too. How many unmatched socks does one really need to effectively dust one’s home? Is the busted printer that’s been sitting in the garage for 3 years going to spontaneously fix itself? Will you ever wear those tiny tank tops you used to wear in college again? Three, no, and hell no.
3. Donate your unused stuff
Take all the stuff you identified as no longer necessary for survival during decluttering, and donate it if you can. Giving to organizations like Goodwill not only feels great, but it also does a lot of good. Don’t forget to keep a receipt of everything you donate to deduct come tax time next year.
4. Get a haircut
Make an appointment for a haircut or trim. Getting rid of split and dead ends, or sporting a new ‘do, is always a great way to kickoff the new season.
5. Clean out your makeup bag
Clean out your makeup bag and trash any old or broken cosmetics. Here’s a great chart for how long cosmetics are good for but, when in doubt – throw it out!
6. Disinfect your work space
Scrubbing your home in the spring is essential, but don’t forget about your workspace. Many people spend more time sitting at their desk than at home (raises hand,) so be sure to give your work area a thorough cleaning sometime soon.
7. Assess your workout gear
Assess your stash of spring and summer workout gear and decide if you need to purchase any new pieces for the upcoming warmer weather. Stock up on low-cost essentials like socks and sports bras, and toss or donate old tops and bottoms.
8. Clean out your inbox
Go through your inbox email-by-email and delete and/or categorize anything that doesn’t need to be in there. Unsubscribe from daily/weekly newsletters/communications you no longer wish to receive.
9. Volunteer your time
Nothing feels better than selflessly volunteering your time for no other reason than to help others. Get spring off on the right foot by gathering some friends or family members and volunteering somewhere!
10. Eat better now
There’s never a better time to start eating better than now. RIGHT NOW! No waiting ’til tomorrow, the weekend, or next month – start incorporating healthy, fresh foods into your diet, and stop unhealthy eating habits today.
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How do you “Spring Clean Your Life” every year?
Elizabeth 03.22.2012
Just made the quinoa stir fry tonight, and had to stop back by and tell you it was FANTASTIC!! I made 1 cup of quinoa instead of half a cup, and used Raspberry walnut vinagrette with the spinach. Both my husband and I look forward to adding this to the normal dinner repertoire! Thanks so much!
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Friday Favorites | Iowa Girl Eats 03.16.2012
[…] cleaning today. I’ve blocked off the entire afternoon to start making a dent in all the decluttering and dusting plans I have for the house. Is it weird that I am totally pumped to get […]
anne 03.14.2012
Love the list of 10 ideas! I made a list to start working on this weekend.
Justine Duppong @ Life With Cheeseburgers 03.13.2012
I think something that’s important to do each year is reevaluate your goals, whatever they may be–and NOT just at the new year. This is a great time to start an exercise habit, now that the weather is getting nicer. It’s also easier to start eating healthier now that more fruits and veggies will start to be in season!
Amber @ The Cook's Sister 03.13.2012
What a great recipe! Spinach and raspberries seems like an odd combination (says the girl who’s been enjoying green smoothies non-stop. I will be trying your recipe sometime soon!
Kara 03.13.2012
This is a great post, thank you! I love Spring Cleaning; everyone thinks I’m crazy. I think I “Spring Clean” like once a month. It feels great to get rid of all the clutter. It feels even better to get rid of old workout gear and buy new things :)
Michelle 03.13.2012
Great post! Cleaning out my desk and inbox today! :D
clare @ fittingitallin 03.13.2012
Can’t wait to make this! My boyfriend is in a chicken stir fry rut, and this is a wonderful new version!
Melissa 03.13.2012
I haven’t seen anything this original in quite a while. Looks amazing! Bookmarking for sure.
I spring clean my life by doing a lot of the same things you mentioned. I need to do the workout gear clean out though–I still have sports bras from the 90s . . . whoops.
Iowa Girl Eats 03.14.2012
shhh – me too! ;)
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables 03.13.2012
I’m currently obsessed with cooking quinoa, adding whatever I have in my fridge to it, and topping it with chevre. This is right up my alley :)
Emily @LivingLongfellow 03.13.2012
perfect spring start meal! i hope my raspberries grow in my garden bc I always have the other ingredients and this seems so easy.
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats 03.13.2012
I love this! The food sounds delicious, but the Spring Cleaning list..I was smiling just reading it. It sounds so refreshing, and I am totally going to try to clean out my life of clutter, thank you :)
Carrie @ Season It Already! 03.13.2012
I wrote a post yesterday on Spring Renewal, too! It isn’t amazing what a sense of rebirth spring gives us? I love the recipe you posted. I’m cooking for a friend on Wednesday and while I had a dish already picked out, I think I’m switching to your Spinach & Chicken Stir Fry with Raspberries. It’s going to be perfect for a 75 degree MN day. Is that possible in March? :-)
Sarah 03.13.2012
I’m so jealous, daylight savings doesn’t start for another two weeks in Europe! I’ll just have to try that amazing recipe and pretend it is still light out :)
Anna 03.13.2012
Great ideas for spring cleaning! I like the concept that its not just about cleaning your house, but ‘cleaning up’ your life :) I’ll have to go through these over the next few weeks!
Emilia 03.13.2012
Great ideas, for some reason I got completely bit by the spring cleaning bug yesterday…and England doesn’t even turn their clocks forward an hour for another week! Thanks for the excel budgeting sheet; I’m always berating myself to figure out a solid budget, but have never been able to find a good system. Yours looks great, I’ll definitely be giving it a go! :)
Maggie 03.12.2012
YUM! I love quinoa, looks delicious!! Why chicken broth and not stock??? Let me know on my blog please check it out!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.14.2012
Either one will work! (I don’t even really understand the difference between the 2!)
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 03.12.2012
I go through the entire house – kitchen, closets, bedrooms, etc and collect anything and everything that we are not using, doesn’t fit, etc. Then the very next day I drop the collection of items off at goodwill or a like donation center. It always feels SO good to declutter and start a new season a little more “simplified.”