Spring Clean Your Mind

Well reader, we made it to Spring. We are in our fourth month of 2025, and boy, what a year it has already been.

Eversince the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, I find myself amazed by just how much can happen in the first quarter of the year.

The New Year always brings such promise, and by April, sometimes, we can feel a little burned out and weighed down by the weight of our realities. This year was no different. For some of us, we lost our homes to fires, for others, we are emotionally drained from trying to support friends and families devastated by the January fires. What’s more, if you have children, the last couple of months, if not years, have been pretty difficult for them, too. So, what to do?

For me, Spring always reminds me of Spring cleaning and decluttering. It is a centering act that is calming and productive. What’s more, it doesn’t just apply to material things. You can Spring clean your mind, heart, and soul, too. Given what we have been through this last quarter, I suggest we all get to Spring cleaning our mental and spiritual space.

You could clean with your entire family, on your own, with your beloved, or with your kids. The goal of this cleaning will be to make your inner spirit shine, remove the cobwebs of doubt, the burdening clutter of worry, and the dingy feelings of regret and loss.

So, how do we Spring clean our emotional/nonphysical space? Well, you need to dust and brush off any negativity, and shine up your positive feelings of self.

First, practice mindfulness, the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This will allow you to observe your thoughts without judgment and recognize negative and unhelpful patterns.

Second, work on releasing your negative thoughts.

Third, establish a daily or weekly routine that includes activities you find enjoyable and relaxing, such as reading, spending time in nature, or pursuing hobbies. Some of us claim we are “too busy” or that there is “not enough time in the day” to do anything other than the mundane asks we must do. However, this type of thinking is not only draining and cluttering our mind, it sucks out our energy and joy.

We humans need to play. Adults are no different than the two-year-old craving to play in the playground. We all need to have some fun activity we look forward to doing. Make time for fun. Figure out what activity would bring you some joy and put it into your schedule at the same level of need as eating and breathing. I am serious. When you do something that brings you joy, it is amazing how your outlook on your surroundings changes, and the energy and time that seems to just appear for your use.

Fourth, limit the screen time. Yes, we all know that we are engaged too much with the little computers in our pockets, on our walls, at our desks, in our cars, and really, almost everywhere. However, as wonderful as they seem, these devices are the time suckers that contribute to our anxiety and negativity. Put a time limit on how much you use them. If possible, put them away at mealtime. It will help you be focused and present on your meal and the people with whom you are sharing it. Instead of turning to your phone to fill your time, go connect with nature. Spending time outdoors can be a powerful way to connect with something larger than yourself, and allow you to experience a sense of peace and renewal.

Fifth, be kind and understanding towards yourself, especially during challenging times. Acknowledge your strengths and focus on your growth, rather than your perceived flaws.

Lastly, continue to practice gratitude. Regularly acknowledge the things you are grateful for to foster a sense of positivity and contentment. As an extension of this idea, identify areas in your life where you want to grow and set intentions for positive change.

We all only have this one precious life to live. Just like we try to keep our belongings and material possessions in good repair this Spring, clean your mental and spiritual space so you can see the wonderful world around you. God Bless!

By Cheryl Thode