“To put things in order means to put your past in order, too.”
Marie Kondo
Spring is finally here. The weather is getting nicer, the sun is out longer, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are chirping. All these seasonal changes also mean it’s time for some spring cleaning! After our long Canadian winter, spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up and get rid of any remaining winter blues so we can enjoy our summer months to the fullest.
As students, this is also a time where many of us are finishing our semesters and heading into our summer breaks. After a long and difficult year, I think we can all agree that a refresh is needed. Spring cleaning can be a great way to do just that.
So, it’s time to channel our inner Marie Kondo. Set aside a full day or even an entire weekend to get your spring cleaning tasks done. Throw on a fun playlist, put on some comfy clothes, and let’s get started!
Without further ado, here are seven steps you can add to your spring cleaning routine to help clean your space, your mind, and everything in between this spring!
Downsize your things to donate or sell
If you haven’t used something in a while, chances are it’s time to let it go. We’re all guilty of doing this; we keep things just in case we might need them one day. So, as a spring cleaning challenge to yourself, go through everything: clothes, knickknacks, that junk drawer, and only keep the things you need or that spark joy.
While everything is out, take the time to reorganize your things and give everything a new home. This might seem daunting at first but start with one section at a time.
Once you’ve decided what’s staying and what’s going, try finding places where you can sell your items for some extra cash. Poshmark and Plato’s Closet are great for clothes, while Kijiji can be great for bigger items. Or, if you’re in a generous mood, bring them to a local donation site so that someone else can get some use out of your unused things.
Clean out your computer & phone
If you’re anything like me, you have literally no space left on your phone and computer, and you keep getting notifications about how your “storage is full,” but just haven’t gotten around to fixing it yet.
Over the course of the school year, assignments, documents, readings, and so much more might have accumulated on your electronics, taking up a lot of your storage space and making everything run slower.
Well, no more excuses!
It’s time to clean out that crowded desktop, reorganize your files so they’re easier to locate, delete the things you don’t need anymore and, if you can, move your most important files to a hard drive for extra safe safekeeping.
Bust out the cleaning supplies for a deep clean of your space
Having a clean and tidy space can actually benefit your physical and mental health. It’s been suggested by psychologists that a messy room is a representation of a disorganized mental state. So, when you’re tidying up your space, you’ll also be working toward tidying up your mind. Also, when your space becomes peaceful and organized with less clutter, you will feel less stressed and less distracted, which I think we can all agree would be great right about now!
In your spring cleaning routine, bust out your supplies and clean everything in sight! Do the laundry that’s been piling up, finally clean those dishes, clean out the fridge of expired foods, vacuum, and dust away all the dust bunnies.
It might seem like a lot of work, but once it’s done, you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment, and your space will be ready for your fresh start.
Do some budgeting
After months in school, distracted by other numbers, spring is a good time to evaluate your spending and get back on track.
Take a look at your budget and figure out where your money is being spent and where you can make improvements to save. Plus, as students, there are lots of ways for you to stretch your budget and make the most of every dollar.
If you haven’t made a budget yet, now’s the time to start. With many great apps available to help you save and track your funds, budgeting can be easier than ever.
Refresh your resume & LinkedIn
Chances are, as summer is approaching, you’re on the hunt for an internship or summer job, which means you’re going to need to update your resume and Linkedin profile.
However, regardless of whether you are looking for a summer position or not, spring is a great time to spruce up what you already have in case any new opportunity comes up.
Update your LinkedIn headshot, add any skills you might have gained, as well as any volunteer experiences you might have done over the last year. Make sure to also take your resume and cover letters to the career center for an extra eye on them.
Freshen up your social media profiles
What better way to start the new season than by updating your social profiles with some fun new content? Set up some socially distanced photoshoots with friends or even try your hand at planning your own at-home self-portrait photoshoot.
While it’s fun to post on social media and see all the likes roll in, it’s also easy to get carried away and let it take over your time and influence your mental health.
This spring, try taking a break from scrolling on social media for at least a couple of days to detox and reconnect with the real world. Consider also doing a clean-out of the accounts you follow by removing any negative influences to foster a healthier social media feed.
Do some self-care & self reflecting
Spring cleaning is all about starting fresh! After a long year of twists and turns navigating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic AND navigating student life, you deserve some time to relax and refocus on yourself. Be kind to yourself and celebrate everything you’ve achieved. Try out some new self-care practices like meditation or journaling and take the time to reset important practices you might have ignored like your sleep schedule or eating healthy.
Once you clear your mind and have had some time to relax, you can refocus and start creating plans for the future.
Do some self-reflecting and think of all the things you might want to achieve in the upcoming summer months. The goals can be big or small, like starting a new workout routine, facing your fears, or starting your very own side hustle. Whatever it is, IGNITE will be here to continue supporting you!
Happy Spring cleaning from IGNITE!
It’s time to celebrate the end of another great school year! If you’re not sure where to start, check out some fun ways to celebrate your end of the semester in style.
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