Spring Cleaning for Your Home, Mind, & Soul
Declutter, Sort, Organize, Refresh
I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oh-oh
And don't it feel good?
Hey, alright now
And don't it feel good?-Katrina and the Waves
Happy Spring, everyone!
As I write this, it’s Thursday, March 20th—the Spring Equinox, marking the official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and fall in the Southern Hemisphere. At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon, and for a brief moment, both the North and South Poles are basking in equal sunlight. Pretty cool, right? There’s just something magical about this balance—a perfect harmony between darkness and light.
I recently heard someone say that, for them, spring—not January 1st—feels like the true start of the year. And honestly? That hit home. Spring is about fresh starts, renewal, growth—it just makes way more sense than kicking off a “new year” in the middle of winter when everything feels cold and sluggish. With spring, there’s an energy shift. The days get longer, the air feels lighter, and suddenly, I want to open all the windows, clear out the clutter, and make space for something new.
For the past few years, I’ve set up my work schedule so that I go hard for the first two weeks of each month, then use the rest of the time for projects or (in theory) time off. But if I’m being honest, I haven’t been great at the “time off” part. I tend to feel guilty if I’m not accepting work—like I should always be doing something productive (meaning getting paid for it!). But this year, I’m determined to change that. My goal? Fewer jobs, more time for myself—whether that’s traveling, visiting with family and friends, volunteering, or just hanging out at home, cooking, gardening, reading, and being present.
The first two months of the year were a blur of nonstop work. But March—glorious March—has been different. I wrapped up all my work by the 15th, and for the rest of the month, it’s all about me.
And what better way to start than with some serious spring cleaning? This past week, I tackled some major projects: I reorganized my pantry, sorted through every kitchen drawer and cupboard, deep-cleaned the fridge (even added liners to the produce and meat bins—who am I?!), and cleared out one closet. Now, I’m working on my walk-in closet, and let me tell you, it’s a process. I’m trying on every single thing I own and deciding what stays and what goes. So far, I have two massive piles—one with "nice" things to sell and another to donate. A friend already called dibs on a little “shop-up,” where she’ll go through my sell and donate piles to see if anything works for her. I love this idea—a clothing swap is great for the environment and the perfect way to repurpose fashion instead of sending it off to a landfill.
This whole closet clean-out has also made me realize how much my style has evolved over the years. These days, my go-to words for my wardrobe are easy, effortless, and elegant. I’ve embraced a mix of high and low fashion, focusing on pieces that feel good and truly suit me. And now that my hair is salt-and-pepper (and I love it, by the way), I’ve noticed that certain colors just don’t work for me anymore. So, I’m letting them go, along with anything that no longer fits my lifestyle or feels “off” when I put it on. I am curious. Where are you in the “organizing and decluttering” journey? Any tips, suggestions, or questions for the group?
I’ve also been thinking a lot about timeless dressing. Some of the best pieces in my closet are ones I’ve had for years—many from my time working at Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Levi’s®. I still have and wear clothes from those days, which just proves that well-made, classic pieces really do stand the test of time. I’d much rather have fewer, high-quality items that make me feel great than a closet full of stuff I never wear. Less but better—that’s my new motto.
True story- I was shopping this morning at my local food co-op and spotted an employee wearing an old wool roll-neck sweater from J. Crew—probably from ’94 or ’95. I knew it instantly because I have the same one!
I mentioned it to him, and he just laughed, totally shocked that I recognized it. I told him I worked for J. Crew back in the ’90s and still have a bunch of those classic pieces in my wardrobe.
I’ve always worked for quality brands, and this just proves why—great style lasts. As Levi’s® marketing tagline says: "Quality never goes out of style."
I came across a great article from Living Your Senior Life titled Declutter Your Life: 10 Items Seniors Should Purge Now, and it was a fantastic reminder of how freeing it is to let go of what we no longer need. They highlight things like outdated paperwork, unused kitchen gadgets, and, of course, clothes that no longer serve us. It’s a great guide if you’re looking for a little extra motivation to clear out the clutter. I have been reading about the concept of Swedish Death Cleaning. I am not quite there, but plan to discuss the topic in an upcoming post.
I have set a few goals for myself to help me consistently declutter. They are:
Grocery Shop Smarter – Instead of one big trip on Fridays that leaves my fridge overcrowded, I’m switching to shopping twice a week. This will help me keep better track of what I have and reduce food waste.
Check the Fridge Regularly – Every other morning, I will take a quick inventory to see what needs to be used up before it expires. This small habit will hopefully prevent waste and keep my meals fresh.
Practice Restraint at Farmers Markets – I love visiting farmer’s markets and roadside stands, but I tend to overbuy. Going forward, I’ll try to be more mindful and only purchase what I can reasonably use.
Declutter the Pantry – Every three months, I’ll go through my food cupboards and pantry to use up items nearing their expiration dates and donate anything I won’t use.
Mindful Shopping for Clothes & Accessories – I’m keeping a running list of clothing, shoes, and accessories I need (or want, as I don’t actually NEED anything). I’m committed to sticking to that list instead of making impulse purchases. Emails from my favorite brands are my weakness!!
This is just the start! What other spring cleaning habits would you add?
So, as we step into this season of renewal, I encourage you to make time for yourself—whether that means decluttering, picking up a new hobby, or just sitting outside with a cup of tea and soaking up the sunshine. Spring is all about fresh starts and open spaces, both in our homes and in our minds. Now, let’s hope spring weather hits Northern New Mexico sometime soon. It was 14 degrees F when I walked the dogs this morning!
Wishing you all a season filled with light, growth, and new beginnings. Happy Spring!
Much love!
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Great topic and info! Now I'm energized and motivated to do the same at my place! Especially the clothes! Have actually enjoyed all of your previous posts since your 52nd some weeks ago. Congrats, a real milestone representing a lot of topics, research, thought, creativity, and interesting info for your readers, like me!