Spring Clean Your Clutter Before Summer

By Louise B. Lubin, PhD

Spring brings to mind thoughts of renewal and opening up to the energy of new beginnings. As we nest and hibernate through the winter, we can get bogged down with unfinished business and create clutter in both our physical and emotional lives. As the earth begins to come alive with growth, let’s look at some of the clutter in the “closet of your mind” that may need to be sorted out before the summer. Think about what really fits, let go of what no longer works, and decide- what is your spring look?

To Spring clean your clutter ask yourself the following questions:

What are some of the things you want to do that you have never done before? What would help you begin to take that risk? What are you telling yourself that is preventing you from that first step?
What are some aspects of your life that you have started and not finished? Is there a project just waiting for you to pick back up? Is there a behavior (like exercise, healthy eating) that you have tried and not been able to continue? Remember, failure is not falling down, it’s not getting back up.
What are some behaviors you want to stop and are not stopping? Have you picked up some bad habits that need weeding out? Can you plan to try an alternative behavior and commit to it for at least a couple of days. Build on that small step and take it forward. We know that if you can change a behavior for at least 21 days, there is a good chance you can build it into a new habit.
Are there some things that you want to say and have not said? With whom do you have some “unfinished business”? How might you begin that conversation? Listen to my podcast, 8 Tips to Improve the Dance of Communication for some help .
What is something you want to learn and have never learned? This can be any new behavior or committing to learning about yourself in some new way. Are you willing to take the time to gather the information on what resources are available for your new learning?
What anger do you have that you have not expressed? Who or what is taking up a lot of “rent free space in your mind”? How can you let go- either directly with that person or situation or work it through yourself? The value of forgiveness may be an important aspect of this. Remember, we forgive for ourselves. Listen to my podcast on Forgiveness to better understand .

There are many old pieces of our past that can clutter our lives and take up valuable space in the “closet of your mind”. Take the image of Spring Cleaning and sweep out what no longer fits. It will free you up- lighten your load and allow you to move more freely into the renewal and rebirth of Spring.

Louise B. Lubin, PhD

Independent Practice of Psychotherapy for Adults and Couples
Community Faculty Eastern Virginia Medical School
Program Director, Many Paths to Healing
National Register Credentialed since 1982

Learn more at https://www.manypathstohealing.com/