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Spring Cleaning: Clear Your Home and Your Mind

Where the Heart Resides
SPRING CLEANING: CLEAR YOU HOME AND YOUR MIND

By: Amanda Hyslop | April 4, 2024

My son is what you might call a 'spreader.' He leaves a trail of belongings from the front door to the kitchen—shoes haphazardly discarded, socks by the couch, binder on the dining table, hoodie draped over a kitchen chair, and books strewn across the desk. I've come to realize he might have picked up this habit from me. Despite my best efforts to keep our home organized, it's a relentless endeavor. Some days I find joy in the process, while on others, it feels overwhelmingly like just another task to tick off.

Last year, after the heartache of losing my stepfather, I discovered a therapeutic outlet in the most unexpected of places: organizing. Amid the sadness and grief, the act of bringing order to my kitchen offered me a sense of control. In the face of loss and swirling emotions, oddly enough, the act of arranging my kitchen cabinets provided me with a semblance of grounding and peace.

The practice of organizing has since evolved into an act I have come to truly appreciate, one that brings calm. It has a deeper meaning for me. It's about more than just tidying up; it's a way to clear both my mind and my home. If you're daunted by the prospect of decluttering, here are some tips to make it an enjoyable, family-inclusive activity:

Initiate a Strategic Planning Phase: Designate a specific date for your spring cleaning, mindful that weekends may already be bustling. Opt to concentrate on particular areas needing attention, such as the bathroom, garage, or closets. Alternatively, decide based on categories that require organization, like clothing, paperwork, books, or cosmetics.
Engage Your Family in the Decision Process: Turn the sorting task into a collaborative family activity, deciding which items to keep, donate, or discard. Apply Marie Kondo's philosophy: if an item doesn't spark joy, it might be time to part with it.
Leverage Inspiration from Digital Platforms: Utilize resources like Pinterest for inventive organizing tips. Implement the use of bins and baskets not just for aesthetic appeal, but for practical functionality too. In our household approach, we emphasize practicality over perfection. For instance, we group all shoes, dog toys, and blankets into designated baskets, while school papers are neatly stored in a bin on the desk.
Tackling Sentimental Clutter: I'll admit, this one hits hard with me. Currently, I am watching my daughter's room evolve into a Gen Z teenage lair. Her walls and shelves have transitioned from a display of team trophies and class photos to a music record wall and a stylish full-length mirror. While she embraces change with open arms, I find myself grappling with letting go. I'm now earnestly searching for ways to preserve these cherished memories, considering scrapbooks and decorative storage boxes.

As we sift through items, remember that we're also sifting through memories, learning to cherish the past while making space for our future. In the end, whether it's a teenager's evolving haven or our own hidden corners of clutter, the goal is the same: to create spaces that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be.

Amanda Hyslop is rocking the mom life with two whip-smart kiddos, Sienna & William, and her hubby, Bill, who has a knack for dad jokes. By day, she's a go-to Advice Nurse at Tamalpais Pediatrics; by night, you'll find her playing the keys or hitting the pavement for a run. Amanda's all ears for your thoughts amandahyslop@gmail.com and will get back to you – just as soon as she locates that pesky missing sock!