Finding Joy in Spring Cleaning
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Flowers bloom and trees bud, and as the days get longer, we're tempted to make our homes more welcoming. But spring cleaning isn't just about making your home look good—it's also an important tradition that brings with it some interesting history.
Some research suggests that the origins of spring cleaning can be traced back to the Persian new year and the practice of khaneh tekani which translates to "shaking the house". This practice was rooted in the belief that ridding your home of dirt, dust, and clutter would protect it from misfortune in the seasons ahead.
Today, spring cleaning remains an important tradition in many parts of the world and serves as an opportunity for you to get rid of clutter that builds up over winter months (or even years) and make room for what lies ahead.
Despite popular belief, spring cleaning doesn't have to be complicated; in fact, it can be quite fun! Don't believe me? Follow my tried and true tips for adding joy into your spring cleaning routine:
First things first, find a good playlist: Everyone knows the playlist can make or break a cleaning session so spend some time figuring this out before picking up a broom, sponge, or dustpan! I personally love a good mix of 90s R&B, Beyonce, and early 2000’s hip hop (i.e. Soulja Boy) to clean to. And if you’re struggling to find a good playlist, check out the North 24th playlists here.
Next, make a plan: Those who fail to plan, plan to fail so make sure you’re deciding what needs to be cleaned, how long it will take to clean, and when you’ll clean it. I typically set aside a full weekend to get my spring cleaning done and I like to take on one room at a time — focusing on the chores that I typically avoid — i.e cleaning the baseboards, dusting lighting fixtures, organizing my pantry, and clearing out my closet.
Have kids? Get them involved: Sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and everyone in between can help out. Assess what chores they like to do (even if they say they don’t like none of them) and assign them an age appropriate task associated with that chore. Whether it be picking up their toys, unloading the dishwasher or sorting laundry, they can get in on the action too!
Build in a little incentive for yourself: Maybe you treat yourself to a glass of wine (before, during, and after lol), a bouquet of flowers, or a trip to the home decor section of Target – hard work deserves recognition so treat yourself to something nice!
Extend lots of grace: If you’re anything like me, it can be easy to fall into the comparison trap — you know that feeling when you see the perfectly polished and aesthetically pleasing homes on Instagram and think to yourself “I wish my home was that clean.” Understand that, oftentimes, what you see online is a highly curated micro-snapshot that very rarely captures reality. So don’t beat yourself up and work yourself overboard trying to arrive at some unrealistic state of cleanliness. Instead, care for your home in a way that is authentic to you and feels good.
Have spring tips of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
-Toria
