Spring Cleaning | Stoic Saturdays

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition that goes beyond simply tidying up physical spaces; it embodies a deeper metaphorical significance tied to renewal, organization, and rejuvenation. At its core, it is about decluttering both our physical and mental spaces, creating a sense of order and freshness that revitalizes our environment and mindset.

Spring cleaning as a way to declutter or clean one’s home shows up in many cultures worldwide.?

In Iran, the practice of “khooneh tekouni” or "shaking the house" is part of the Persian New Year celebration, known as Nowruz. It involves thoroughly cleaning the home before the New Year to welcome prosperity and renewal.

Before the Jewish holiday of Passover, there is a tradition of "bedikat chametz," which involves searching for and removing all traces of leavened bread from the home. This practice symbolizes removing impurities and starting anew.

In Chinese culture, cleaning the home before the Chinese New Year is a common practice. It is believed to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune in the coming year.

In some Christian traditions, spring cleaning is associated with Lent, a period of reflection and preparation leading up to Easter. It involves cleaning and decluttering as a symbolic act of spiritual renewal.

Generally speaking, spring cleaning is a practical necessity in many cultures. After a long winter spent indoors, people would clean their homes thoroughly to remove soot, dust, and accumulated grime, as well as to prepare for warmer weather.

While cleaning one’s physical space is an important task, we often neglect to clean our emotional and mental spaces. Spring cleaning, when viewed through the lens of Stoicism, can be seen as a holistic practice of decluttering both your physical environment and mind. Here's how you can approach it:

Physical Spring Cleaning

Practice Detachment: Stoicism teaches us to value things for their utility rather than attachment. Evaluate your belongings and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy.

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." —Epictetus

Focus on Virtue: Use the opportunity to practice virtues like moderation (not accumulating excess) and discipline (following a cleaning routine).

"Curb your desire—don’t set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need." —Epictetus?

Accept Impermanence: Recognize that material possessions are temporary and focus on what truly matters, such as relationships and personal growth.

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." —Epictetus

Mental Spring Cleaning

Reflect on Values: Take time to reflect on your core values and priorities. Remove mental clutter by aligning your thoughts and actions with these values.

"Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly." —Epictetus

Practice Mindfulness: Use mindfulness techniques to declutter your mind from distractions and negative thoughts. Focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the past or future.

"If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now." —Marcus Aurelius

Cultivate Inner Peace: Stoic practices like journaling, meditation, and philosophical reflection can help cultivate inner peace and clarity of mind.

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." —Marcus Aurelius

30-Day Minimalism Challenge

If you're unfamiliar with The Minimalists, I highly recommend checking out their social media, website, YouTube channel, and award-winning documentaries. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are "The Minimalists" and they have helped fuel a movement and lifestyle philosophy focused on living with less material possessions and simplifying life to prioritize what truly matters.

They advocate for intentional living, emphasizing quality over quantity and promoting the idea that reducing physical clutter can lead to increased mental clarity and overall well-being. Together, they created the 30-day minimalism challenge that I do every spring. The rules are simple:

You can choose a partner to participate in the challenge. This can be a friend, family member, coworker, etc. On the first day of the month, you donate or throw away one item. On the second day of the month, you donate or throw away two items. This trend continues until you're at the 30th day of the month when you donate 30 items.