On Spring cleaning
Tomorrow marks the Spring Equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere—when day and night are of equal length with the sun crossing the equator, promising longer days and signaling rebirth all around us. In many ways, this time period feels like the beginning of the new year, providing an opportunity to reflect more so than the busy, distracting holiday season that is the end of the calendar year.
Just as trees and plants bloom and birds and butterflies emerge during Spring, we, too, come out of the introverted winter, stepping into a new light and new life. Especially given the past year and the trials and tribulations of the pandemic, with new hope on the horizon given vaccinations and promising news from countries like Israel, this Spring is as much a time to reflect and (re-)set intentions as it is to connect with others and put our contemplation of the past months (and year) to work.
The popular cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. circa April 2006
During this start to a new year, or at the very least the beginning of this new cycle of nature, we might take the time to pause and contemplate:
How has the (calendar) year thus far been, and what have we learnt about ourselves?
Where might we need to adjust, and what is getting in our way?
What seeds do we need to plant in order to encourage and produce desired (and often necessary) change?
How might we design (or re-design) our life to include balance, renewal and revitalization?
How do we embrace the idea of new beginnings, even if they must come with a corresponding goodbye?
An Opportunity to “Spring Clean” Our Lives
Here are some quick ideas on how to initiate a “Spring cleaning” physically, mentally, energetically and spiritually during this Vernal Equinox in order to welcome in the new, let go of the non-serving and initiate growth and transformation.
Spring Clean Physically
Do a deep clean of your home. Whether you hire a professional (shop small, shop local) or you do it yourself, thoroughly clean your entire home. Shake out rugs and spot clean as necessary. Sweep and scrub floors. Pull furniture away from the wall, vacuuming behind and wiping said walls down. Clean the inside of your refrigerator, oven and kitchen cabinets. Clean your windows and other glass throughout your home. Scrub your bathroom from floor to ceiling. Throw away old cleaners, medicines, make ups and other products (disposing of them properly).
Freshen up your physical environment. Re-arrange a room that isn’t “quite right”. Re-purpose furniture that no longer serves its original need. Paint an accent wall or touch up paint as required. Change out your bedding and towels as necessary. Invest in indoor plants to add vitality and life to your home.
Do an inventory of your clothes, shoes and accessories. Try them on—see what really does (and does not) fit you anymore, size-wise or personality-wise. Donate them, or sell them at a consignment store. Pack away any out-of-season clothes, and organize (re-fold, re-hang) in-season clothes.
Spring Clean Mentally
Re-commit to (or start) your journalling practice. Reflect upon the questions above. Create a habit of writing in your journal daily or weekly. Periodically review your entries.
Examine your new year’s resolutions or intentions. Be honest—which have served you to date, and which haven’t? Pivot as necessary.
Look at your affirmations. Review your self-love affirmations—are you practicing them? Are they still the right ones, and you just need to pull them forward? Do you need to tweak them or find new ones? Again, pivot as necessary.
Spring Clean Energetically
Examine your diet. Pick foods that truly nourish you, and hydrate appropriately. Examine your tendencies to overeat or emotionally eat. Perhaps initiate a cleanse or fast. Choose lighter foods that are easier to digest. Practice eating more slowly and mindfully.
Examine your lifestyle. Reflect on the balance between your work and home lives—where has it gotten better for you? Where might you still need to re-calibrate? Be sure to allow enough time for “you”.
Examine your tools for self-care and well-being. Inventory what you are doing for your overall health and wellness. If necessary, find a therapist to talk through stuck patterns of behaviour. Hire a coach to help springboard you into action. Review what you are doing to move. breathe. be. each day.
Spring Clean Spiritually
Reflect on your connection to Self, to others, to your community, to this world. Identify opportunities through which you find a deeper connection or could find said connection. List any barriers that prevent you from committing to these possibilities. Find an accountability partner to help you.
Play. Identify ways to tap into your inner creativity, spontaneity and joyfulness. Tap into your inner child. Allow for silliness and “play” to takeover every now and then.
Commit to right action. Do a values identification exercise if you haven’t already, and identify ways in your life where you’re in alignment and where you’re not. Work with a partner or coach to understand where and why there’s possible incongruence and how to commit to right action.
Move. Breathe. Be. Founder, Catherine Marquette, and Blue at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
If you like what we’re doing, please consider supporting our efforts to continue to bring thoughtful writing to you and inquisitive teachings through you. Perhaps buy us a cup of coffee. Take one of our signature classes if you haven’t yet. Sign up for one of our new offerings. Comment on our blog posts. Follow us on social media. Invite someone to join our small and growing community. Or, as I said, buy us a cup of coffee.
