Wait, is that a good thing? Oh well, I'm owning it and I hope for great tax returns for everyone (though a breakeven would be best)! Anyway, as I was getting my documents squared away today, I was laughing to myself in my office as my phone lit up and notified me that another one of my listed items had sold. You see, I have been doing some intense spring cleaning since the month began and reducing the clutter in my house has taught me a few things that might be of interest for those who desire higher productivity...and cash!
When I was a kid, spring cleaning was a big deal! My childhood home (which was built by my grandfather himself) was heated by wood and we would sometimes use heaters and lanterns when we wanted to get around (yes, my grandfather is mad old school). Anyway, we would be closed up in the house and keeping warm by our wood heater (whom my grandparents named 'big bertha') until spring came, then it was time to open the doors, wash the windows, dust everything off, wash the floors, and remove all the wood chips from the family room.
Psychologically, I still do spring cleaning every year...but this year was a little different because I started to think of the value that I have received from it over the years.
Allow me to share four of those lessons with you!
- Enhanced clarity of mind - Spring cleaning can be profoundly impactful in the ways that a clean(er) environment has been known to translate to a clearer mindset on life. In fact, a cleaner space has been know to create calmness, improve focus, and decrease stress. On the flipside, having a chaotic or messy space can be a sign that the mind is also cluttered and in need of a release. In this regard, it is important for us to remember that much like our personal hygiene, keeping things together and taking care of the details has vast implications for the rest of our health. Martha Beck once said "how you do anything is how you do everything." If everything around us is a mess...think about what that says about us and how our minds work.
- Clarity increases efficiency - As we work to continually declutter our homes, workspaces, and minds, it is important to remember that our clarity can be the spark that leads to higher levels of efficiency. For me, this helps with choosing my outfits! Much like those like Steve Jobs, I was able to increase the efficiency of my day by decreasing the hundreds of options in my closet and instead focusing on what clothing would serve my interests in the most efficient manner. Though this is an example about clothing, think about how efficient it can be for us to prepare for days like today (i.e., tax day) if all of our files were neatly placed in expense folders and organized systems--instead of thrown about in the files stack in the corner. If we work to gain clarity, increased efficiency will follow.
- Increased health benefits and outcomes - Aside from the general value of keeping clean homes, workspaces, cars, and bodies, the increased health benefits and outcomes cannot be overlooked. Spring cleaning our house, for example, helps to declutter old materials that could be harboring harmful toxins, germs, or even insects. Eliminating those items (and the germs that come with them) is important to our longevity of health, while also helping to remove other allergens and potential harms that may be laying idle. Furthermore, this also applies to mental health and moods! Keeping a clean space is paramount to maintaining the balance of life, making sure that we are progressing accordingly, and making sure that we have not taken on more than we can handle.
- Resale is the holy grail! - Listen, I have been going through my own version of spring cleaning and it has reminded me that most humans have WAY too much stuff. Many of us could probably downsize our personal belongings by about 40% before we began to notice a day-to-day difference. For me, this has helped me to begin being intentional about my items in my condo. I have sold a handful of things already and I have committed to reinvesting the earnings to pay for small things I need/want. This could be helpful for many of us. Heck, just start small and watch how it grows. I assure you, the extra cash and inadvertent clarity of space and mind will drive the continued practice!
One of my friends once challenged me to get rid of one thing for every single day of the year, and I am upset that I fell of the wagon because I had never felt so free than the time where I was getting rid of items every day. I know what you're thinking, and no this practice does not mean the menial garbage and disposable stuff that we accumulate (and dismiss) every day. I'm talking things of substance: clothing items, books, trinkets, notes, shoes, etc. As a manner of spring cleaning, maybe we can start there...together. Either way, we need to be intentional about this process and remember that the more we can declutter, the better off our productivity (and pockets) will be!
Let's just start with one item per day, and report back in 365. I bet we will all be better off by that time, in every facet of life!
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