For a Life Boost, Try a Seasonal Clear-Out

With the first day of school fast approaching, I always feel a burst of energy and anticipation.  And I can't wait for fall!  Now's a good time to use that determination to refresh my home, my goals, and more.

In fact, we can do old-fashioned spring cleaning, year-end evaluation, or a seasonal update any time.

6 easy steps to reset your inner and outer environments

1.  Start with self-evaluation.

Begin by thinking, "What's really important to me?"  This inner evaluation is at least as important as any decluttering program.  Consider:

• What do I want from my life?
• What needs to change so I can move closer to the life I imagine for myself?
• How can I live the upcoming year in a way that's truly meaningful?
• Imagining myself a year from now, what am I happy about accomplishing, or rueful about failing to do?

Take at least 30 to 60 minutes to think about these questions, or revisit them over the course of a few days.  Take notes.  You'll create a blueprint for how you want to live. 

2.  Take care of home maintenance.

Complete those tasks that rarely get done, such as:

• changing furnace filters
• checking smoke alarms
• cleaning the windows
• wiping off ceiling fan blades
• vacuuming the baseboards
• dusting stair banisters
• washing curtains and/or rugs
• cleaning your grill and patio furniture
• running some vinegar through the coffee maker and/or the washing machine

Don't make this an endless list – no one loves that – but take just 10-15 minutes a day for one week to do those tasks that are often overlooked.

3.  Take care of personal maintenance.

Is there a habit you want to change for your physical, mental, or spiritual health?  Perhaps you want to clean junk foods out of your pantry.  Maybe you want to banish TV from your bedroom.  You might want to remove alcohol or tobacco from your home.  Maybe you need to schedule that eye exam or colonoscopy.  Or maybe you need to buy new running shoes, join a book club, or create an evening ritual of prayer and gratitude journaling.  Decide on one way to prepare your body, mind, or spirit for a more productive year ahead.

4.  Commit to relationships.

We all have them, and many studies show they're essential to a happy life.  So what actions do you need to take to improve yours?

• More communication and better listening?
• Fewer outside commitments and more family dinners?
• More generosity and random kindness?
• Taking the first steps toward reconciliation and reconnection?

Choose one goal to strengthen your ties to the people in your life.

5.  Improve your workplace.

All of us work, whether we're paid or not.  So think about your ideal work life.  What steps would move you closer to it?  Would streamlined systems or better organization reduce the stress of tasks and deadlines?  Would you benefit from more knowledge or training?  Do you know your strengths and talents, and is your work letting you develop them?  How can you move yourself toward a more fulfilling work life?  Choose one goal to pursue.

6.  Clean your closet.

There are so many occasions which bring new things into our homes, and many fewer in which we remove the excess.  It's a good exercise to take stock of what you have and what you can do without.  Choose just one area, or plan an hour a week to tackle them all.

• Get rid of clothes that don't fit or flatter, shoes that hurt, and accessories that just sit in a drawer or clutter a shelf.
• Remove excess tools, sports equipment, and/or hobby supplies.
• Clean out a junk drawer or the cabinet under a sink.
• Notice the kitchen items you use day in a day out, and remove all the extras.  Make space in the cupboards so you can clear off your worktops.
• Be brave!  Sell or donate all the stuff piled in your basement or storage locker.
• Help your kids pare their toys and games to a smaller number of favorites.

Give yourself a lighter, fresher, clutter-free environment for a new season and a new you.

Don't forget to pre-order your Kindle copy of my newest book, Minimalist Hygge.  This little book shares over 100 practices of the popular Danish lifestyle, including how to hygge in all seasons (not just a snowy winter when you want to cuddle and be cozy), and how to embrace this way of life in areas such as home care, wardrobe, and work.

Hygge may have originated in Scandinavia, but it's an idea that deserves to spread throughout the world.  Save 20% by pre-ordering your Kindle copy of Minimalist Hygge,* and look for the paperback on September 1st.

* This blog is reader-supported.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.