Spring Cleaning


Spring is a time of renewal. The beautiful flowers, fresh air (well warm air, here in Atlanta the air has so much pollen it makes it difficult for allergy sufferers), and spring cleaning. For me spring cleaning has meant opening up the windows and doors to air out our home after winter. Although this sounds like a simple task, it takes careful planning and coordination. My home is filled with allergy sufferers (myself included) and I have to ensure that the air circulates enough to freshen our home but not too much for fear of sneezing, coughing or asthma attacks. 

Of course spring cleaning should also entail cleaning out the closet and switching out clothes as well as tackling those jobs that have been left undone. In my case - unpacking the boxes that have sat around for the two years that we have lived in our home. Before I am able to tackle the bigger jobs around my home I have to do the basics. For me that means giving my bedroom and sitting area/office a complete cleaning. You see when I get busy and overwhelmed it shows in my personal environment. I have a habit of letting things go awry and when it is really bad I am completely overwhelmed and am unable to tackle it. 

The past few months have been that way for me, I have been trying to keep up with all of my responsibilities and my home has been neglected. I have read time and time again that spending time with family and being happy are more important that an immaculate home and I agree. However, having organization will help me be more productive and feel better.  Today I decided to clean my bedroom which was not an easy task. I can "straighten" all day long but moving things from one place to another does not take care of the problem and inevitably things go back to disarray quickly. No, today I cleaned and removed clutter. I had to question my need to hold on to bills from early 2008 that have already been paid. Which reminds me - I need to go digital with all of my billing to save some trees! 

Anyhow, I took my first stab at spring cleaning today and feel lighter. Next, I have to deal with my office. I keep in mind that once I do the "big" clean it will only take five or ten minutes a day to keep everything in order. Through this all I am being kind to myself, not judging and simply doing. Clearing the way for springtime and the summer will bring clarity not only to my space but my mind. 





Comments

Mozi Esme said…
Best wishes with the spring cleaning! It is certainly time for that at this house, too...
Lawd, girl... I'm right there with you. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed with the clutter that I get darn near immobile. But it feels SO much better when I walk into the room/office when it's clutter free. Happy Spring Cleaning; as soon as I push this next project off my plate, it's on up in the Millner/Chiles household!
godsgiftmylife said…
Happy spring cleaning! I am right there with ya...
I am so there too! Seems to be the trend. I have to do a little at a time on the daily in order to get it done. Dwayne has been helping so it makes it a lot easier. We did have to "clean up our minds" first though. It helps make the process easier as well ;-)
Anonymous said…
I can so totally relate. Once I get started though I'm on a roll. The fact is you know it has to get done you just have to be in the mood to do it.
KatBouska said…
I definitely opt for family time over cleaning time, but a clean house just FEELS nice.

...I'll send the cleaning lady over as SOON as she's done here!!
Maude Lynn said…
I'm so much nicer to be around when my house is clean. I really need to get to work!
CaraBee said…
I have been seriously thinking about hiring a cleaning service to come in and do a BIG spring clean. I just hate cleaning so much. The expense would be well worth not having to go through and do all of the projects (like cleaning windows and ceiling fans) that I hate the most.
Gem said…
I started cleaning too...for two reasons (1)--a giant b52 cockroach flew into our house and all I could think of is germs, germs, germs.

and...our friends had condiments dating back to 2006, so i thought I bettter clean out our pantry and fridge (oldest item was honey--feb. 2008).
Christy said…
I need to do the "big" clean everywhere in this house! I love the idea of having a cleaning service come in & help out with that...but who am I kidding? I wouldn't be able to give up control long enough to let them do their job!
Amo said…
You're exactly right! We just moved in December and I'm STILL unpacking boxes! I've managed to organize what I have put away, but my closet is nothing but 3 gigantic boxes...

You've inspired me to get in there and get it done.

My husband will thank you.

Actually, he probably would have appreciated a 'here's what to cook for dinner' post, but this will work too. ;)
Green said…
I need to do the same...uggghh!
Green said…
I need to do the same...uggghh!
Dori said…
I've started my spring cleaning today too. So I'm right there with ya :-)
Good for you!!! I know I desperately need some spring cleaning. All of our bedrooms keep accumulating stuff that I need to put elsewhere. I look forward to opening up our windows. :)
Stesha said…
Spring cleaning can be a task, but it is worth it:) As I am writing this a load of laundry is piled in a basket next to me and I have winter clothing that need to be put away. Sigh.

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Jenni said…
Cleaning out is sooooo overwhelming, but it feels so fantastic when it is done!
Barbara said…
Amen on the alergies and amen on going digital with your bills!

Spring time has been the enemy since its arrival around here. Everything from swollen shut eyes to doping up on meds and falling asleep on campus. Girl, we have seen it all around here, lol.

You will be soooo much happier if you switch to online bill pay with all your bills and everything. Everything or most of everything can be in 1 place at www.mycheckfree.com and everything else has its own online services.

Good luck with all of your spring cleaning. I need to jump on that wagon.
I am about to roll up my sleeves and tackle spring cleaning but the problem is that it needed inside AND out and I only have one spring/summer to get it all done. But oh how good it feels when you're finally finished.
jmt said…
You sound like me! The allergy and asthma sufferers...and then the moving things from one spot to another...I decided I won't clean unless I'm actually taking things away or putting them in their rightful place. Hmmm..no wonder cleaning doesn't happen often.
Anonymous said…
I do the same Renee. My house either looks fabulous or "well live in". And you're right. Moving things around, accomplishes little; we need to eliminate! (At least their stuff that they won't even miss).
Spring is springing!
Hope Mekhi's Easter was dandy!
Ilina said…
Forget swapping out clothes. It's still freezing here!
bluntdelivery said…
since i awoke to an ice storm last week, i get a pass for at least another month on the "spring" cleaning
Can I say I really don't like spring cleaning. This is the time I should use to continue to unpack from my move about 2 months ago. Arrghh!
Joanie said…
Like you, when things get busy, my home suffers. However, I did a big clean a couple months ago and now things are little easier to manage. You'll be okay.

As for airing out the home, let the fresh air in during the day while you're gone if you can. Close up the house right when you get home. You get the benefits of the fresh air while avoiding the heavy influx of pollens and other allergens. Learned that one while I was a pediatrics nurse. It was part of our recommendations to families with children with severe allergies and/or asthma.

Da Goddess
dagoddess.com
Tabitha Blue said…
So true!! I'm with ya! I work and am much more productive in a clean space, but lately it's been much harder to keep control of that space. Spring cleaning is great when it doesn't feel overwhelming. A little at a time is great!!

:)
~Tabitha~

freshmommyblog.com
My house is so dusty I cant see straight, this is ridiculous,everything is always in order in my house but dusty as hell! I hate to dust!
Stephanie said…
I agree with you. When I get busy the house gets messy to the point that I get so frustrated and can't take it anymore. I need to do some spring cleaning too!
Carrie and Jim said…
Such a good inspiration! Even if you have to suffer alittle you let the fresh air in. Good for you! Hope your projects get going and success is yours for the taking.
Unknown said…
so true!

"having organization will help me be more productive and feel better."

it's the same for me.

i've gotta get started with my spring cleaning/decluttering!

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