Spring Cleaning: What Am I Choosing to Get Rid Of

By Noelle George

Edited by Taylor Morgan

LEONORA / @leonorasplace on Pinterest

It’s that time of year again! Well, almost—the warm spring days sprinkled in between the cold and rain are back to remind us that it’s spring, which means it’s time for spring cleaning. Being back outside for the first time after being inside all winter, opening my windows and soaking in the sunshine are all great mood boosters. Still, in my opinion, there's nothing better than going into the new season with a sense of clarity. For me, that looks like taking an hour, a day, or even a weekend to do an “audit” of my life and see what is working and what is not. 

As a college student, this ritual has been incredibly important to me and my mental health. The first few weeks of spring semester are cold and busy. Living in a small dorm room or off-campus house, I always find myself accumulating so many things that make my safe space feel cluttered and overwhelming. I find the ideal time for me to go through all of my belongings is right before spring break—I get to come back to a clean slate.

So, what exactly is my process, and what do I get rid of? I’ll walk you through it!

Clothes

I always start with clothes because I like to tackle my biggest category first. I also find it easier to focus on other areas when I know all of my clothes are put away and purged. I take all of my clothes—and yes, I mean all—and dump them on the floor. I then wipe down my drawers and shelves. I go through each piece, taking note of the condition, the last time I wore it and the style. If I'm unsure about keeping a piece, I try it on. If any of my clothes are stained or worn out, I get rid of them. If I have not worn a piece of clothing in the past three months, I donate it. Being ruthless helps me stay organized and feel a sense of peace and joy each time I get ready.

Bed

After I clear all of my clothes out of the way, I like to wash my sheets and go through my bedside table. I am always surprised by how many things accumulate in my drawers. Anything I have not used in the past week, I try to return to its original home. I find having a sparse bedside area helps me get to sleep earlier and streamlines my morning routine, minimizing distractions.

Bathroom

I first go through all of my products the same way I do with my clothes, by putting them in one large pile and separating them into categories. I am incredibly guilty of buying new products before I use my old ones up, so I take special care to throw out anything I have not used recently or anything that has expired, and organize and condense any duplicate products. I wash all of my towels, my bathrobe and give my bathroom an extreme deep clean. 

After tackling the big three areas, I make sure to clean all the other areas of my room. I like to listen to a podcast or watch a show while I clean. I also make it a game by trying to find things I have never cleaned before, like the trim around my doors! Although it may seem like an overwhelming task, spring cleaning is rewarding and an incredible reset during a long semester. I typically break it down over a weekend or week so that I never have too much cleaning to do at once, and I don’t get overwhelmed. There is truly nothing like a good spring reset to get you geared up for the fun and excitement of the warmer months!