Spring is upon us! And in the spirit of this bountiful season, I thought we’d do a little house cleaning.
Historically speaking, spring cleaning dates back to early civilizations when people kept their homes tightly shut during the winter and used coal, oil, and wood as an indoor heating source. You can imagine how icky the house would be after months of being bound up so come spring, every piece of furniture and clothing was wiped down and aired out.
This tradition is still ingrained in many of us today, despite the fact that a lot of us live with central air and heat. Though a thorough cleaning and airing out of our homes is still important, it’s become more about taking stock of what we have and ridding ourselves of whatever it is we deem unnecessary.
In order to usher in the new, we must let go of the old. And since new beginnings often require death of some sort, this means we need to learn to let go. This could be the death an idea. Relationship. Habit. Thought-pattern. Dream. Line of work that no longer serves us.
None of us is exempt from this need to streamline. By nature, we are works in progress. Meaning, there’s always some area that could use a bit of improvement in our lives and since the Threadbare Gypsy Soul believes in living your BEST life, let’s dive on in!
Inventory
What in your life needs to be tended to?
What can you afford to shed in order to lighten your load?
Is there a relationship that is bogging you down that takes more energy than it gives?
Is there an area of your life that’s become a time suck?
Is it time to let unnecessary fears go by the wayside?
Have you over-burdened yourself by taking on too many responsibilities?
Is there a destructive habit you’ve been meaning to change? Perhaps it’s poor food choices, lack of exercise, excess in a certain area of life that is causing disruptions within your self and hurting those around you? Or maybe something as simple as being consistently late all the time or procrastination?
These are just some examples of areas we may want to examine in order to better ourselves and our lives. For every aspect of our life that is not working with and for us is dead weight.
Now, stop and ask yourself —
What is it you’re most afraid to let go of?
That’s a good indication of where you should start.
Now the point isn’t to go out and quit our job tomorrow or to leave a marriage that’s going through a rough patch. But the point is rather to simplify our lives so that we are better able to focus on the things we hold as a priority. To have more time and energy to devote to the things we love.
Loving ourselves and others requires honesty. And being upfront with ourselves about our weaknesses and honoring what our heart is indicating we no longer need in our lives, is part of self-acceptance and self-love. If we can’t take care of ourselves, how can we take care of another? If we can’t love ourselves, how can we truly love another? Clearing out the old will only make space for more love to come into our lives.
So what’re your thoughts? Any areas of your life come to mind that may need tending? Do you feel this sudden urge to clean this time of year? What areas of your life could use some freshening up?
Photo courtesy of cheekieblog.com
Ingrid Schaffenburg's Blog 
I totally agree ; it’s always nice to get rid of things, and start fresh 😉 Great post and I look forward to sharing more with you:)
Glad you enjoyed it! Nice to meet ya!
Terrific post on such an important topic! Love your thoughts on our tendency to stockpile rather than cleanse our homes and lives of toxic “stuff.” 😉 We must be so afraid of being alone or stuff-less that we cling harder. Our closets may need cleaning, but often, so do our lives.
Absolutely! I think a lot of the “hanging on” is about being alone. A lot of people stay in toxic situations for fear of being alone. Great point! I need to write about that 😉
Let me get some of this clutter off my desk first . . .
tee hee! Love ya David 🙂
Astound post. Loved it! Really got me thinking. I struggle a great deal with balancing what I think to be others expectations of me against my own priorities. For example, I have a tendency to often put aside what I want to do most if I think someone else wants me to do something with/for them more…and it’s hard. I think it goes to my people pleasing nature. I think I am afraid to let someone down or disappoint someone (likely goes to my fear of abandonment). I am a work in progress and I try to ask myself more “what do I WANT” lately and to honor that. It’s hard but I am getting there and am just keeping at it. 🙂 Wonderfully inspiring post Ingrid – thank you so much for sharing!
You’re welcome Natalie! And that’s all we can do is keep trying. I used to be such a people-pleaser but finally got to the point lately where I pretty much honor my true feelings. It’s so nice to be able to say “No” and not feel bad about it. We don’t have to feel bad about not wanting to do everything everyone else expects. 🙂
Extremely timely post for me. For many months, I’ve felt this sort of hovering energy over me, like the tides are about to change. You know that sort of still moment but it’s almost vibrating with something new and a little uncertain? Good stuff, maybe scary stuff, and it includes saying goodbye to some things that I won’t miss and definitely things that I will, but the time has come.
Good for you! Glad this resonated. Sounds like you’re ready to pave the way to new beginnings. Happy cleaning 🙂
I’m the kind of person who takes on way too much. I’ve been making a lot of changes in my life since January to start tossing out some of the things that aren’t moving me towards my long-term goals and start focusing on things that will. It’s a slow process that I fully expect to stretch all the way through New Year’s resolutions, to spring cleaning, and beyond, but I’m already feeling happier, more balanced, and more productive because of it. Thanks for another great post!
Awesome Marcy! My pleasure 🙂 Yep. Happiness is always a good indicator we’re moving in the right direction. Best of luck with everything!
I love Spring for that very reason! It is the perfect time to go through our things, especially our closets, and see what no longer suits us. I just went through and got rid of all my sweaters. It turns out, not only do I not like winter weather, but I don’t like winter clothes either. Now I am excited to go shopping for what I do love: dresses and sandals. At the same time I’m getting ready to let go of my life in Oregon and looking forward to what lies ahead of me in Florida! Yay spring!
Yep! You won’t be needing any sweaters in Florida that’s for sure! Best of luck in your transition 🙂
Wonderful list of questions, Ingrid. Wowza!!
Interesting historical reference, Ingrid. Rosey notions of past civilizations lose a bit of appeal when I think of coal, oil and wood. Glad I don’t have to contend with that mess!
On the other hand, that is exactly what piles up inside the psyche as well as in relationships and life in general without authentic loving and some kind of periodic renewal process. Despite the value of modern convenience, it distances many people from this natural cycle. Your points definitely lead in the right direction.
Letting go is always difficult, of course, but it hollows out a space where new life can take root. From the ashes of death rises the Phoenix!
I LOVE Spring cleaning, it’s another chance (after New Year’s) for me to get organized, straightened out in my life. I usually do a mad-dash of cleaning, taking time to focus on where this or that fits into the scheme of things, and put everything in order. This year, I plan to get out there and walk for my health, to get in shape and improve my physical condition. I’m also clipping the old branches of prose that don’t work, and heading in that new direction.
timely post, Ingrid and a valuable read. I have been putting off all sorts of things as I complete a few projects. My first book is finally uploaded at Amazon. My chapter’s financials are finally finished and now i’m about 1/3 of the way to completing this years books for my business. to the accountant on the weekend. yay. and as I look around, I desperately want to get busy and clean. it’s time.
i don’t have relationship stuff to deal with but i do have my surroundings which have had surrface swipes but nothing more. time to ‘ get er don’ in the words of Larry the Cable Guy
I can find plenty of areas that need some cleaning and letting go- now to find the time to do so! I’m not sure where to start first, but I do know for me it’ll be baby steps. I did self publish my book- which was a big jump for me.
Lovely post Ingrid! Yes spring! Just the word itself invokes action. A wonderful list of thought provoking questions. Why is it so hard for us to let go of things that weigh us down? Like a blanket these things, thoughts, emotions en-wrap us. I’m ready for some spring-cleaning! Thank you Ingrid for your thoughts are very freeing. 🙂
Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
You’re quite welcome!