With the weather starting to turn nicer and the days stretching later into the evening, people are shifting their mindset to more outdoor activities and making some plans for the summer. It is around this time that many consider Spring cleaning in order to prepare for the coming months. There are plans to gather up items that are taking up space, deal with the piles that accumulate in the corners of your home, and relax in a cleaner, tidier space where you can truly feel more at home and comfortable. While the focus of Spring cleaning is physical, there are ways to do the same thing for your mental health.
Mental clutter can build up over time if left to do so. Small arguments or other inconveniences that feel easy to dismiss or bottle up tend to accumulate, and when they do, they can cause frustration, irritation, and other less than desirable behaviours. Worries and anxieties about the future also fall under this category. Unless this clutter is cleaned out, it will be left to collect dust in the corners of your mind. There are a number of ways to declutter your own mental health and pack up that which is no longer serving you.
So where to start? Try to notice what exactly is taking up space in your mind. Oftentimes, this will look like decisions that you have been avoiding, or conversations you’ve kicked down the road. Alternatively, it could be emotions that you simply felt like you didn’t have time for. Make a list of these things as they come up to give yourself some clarity on what needs to be done. This will provide you the opportunity to drag these items out of the shadows and into the light, where you can work on them with intention.
From there, you can decide what needs to be completed, delegated, or released. Not all of this clutter is made equal; some will take just a minute or two to deal with, and others will take more time and attention. Completing tasks will often lift a weight off your shoulders, and they may take less time than you think: respond to that email, pay that bill, return that lawnmower to your neighbour, etc.... There is a wonderful sensation of relief once these tasks are done and no longer taking up space. For other items, you’ll need to delegate. This isn’t necessarily just handing it off to someone else; think of it more like tasks that you likely can’t do alone and will need support. No one has infinite time or energy, so if you need some help from a coworker, a family member, or friend, this is where you can reach out for support. Finally, there are those items that you simply need to let go of. Maybe there is a goal that’s no longer in line with your needs, or forgiving yourself for something you’ve carried for months, years, or even decades. Letting go with intention means you can do so however you choose; make a ritual out of it in a place that holds meaning for you. Once you let things like that go, cross them off your list and begin to look forward, not back.
Whether you choose to complete, delegate, or release, just know that none of these choices require a dramatic overhaul. When you take small steps, the cumulative effect can be quite positive without really shaking things up in your life. Of course, if you need some support or an objective, confidential third party to strategize with, reach out to Walmsley EFAP and get connected to a counsellor.
Rob Baker, MA RCC