Written by Mariah Manzano April 2021

Not your typical spring. We have a bit more to think about than flower blossoms and allergies.

We’re more than a year into a global pandemic.

And as you know, stress levels are high.

There constantly seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel that we’re running — heck, sprinting toward. But are we really getting somewhere? Or running on a treadmill?

It feels like Groundhog Day, where all days blur to be the same, weekly meetings feel like daily meetings, and changing seasons are the only indicators that time is truly passing. Alas, the world continues to spin — despite everything.

It’s April, yes. But it’s also Stress Awareness Month. Ironic, considering how stress-inducing today’s world is. Which also means that more than ever, it’s a critical time to reflect and do a bit of spring cleaning to your mind.

Here are 4 steps to spring clean your mind this month.

1. Take inventory

This may be the most important step. Before deciding what to trash or keep, you have to acknowledge everything in your inventory.

What takes up space in your brain at any given time?

To really note your inventory, jot down as much as possible of the following:

The people in your life
The projects & work you’ve signed up for
The goals and dreams you hold onto
The things that make you anxious, exhausted, or frustrated
The moments and things you love
The topics you’re afraid to bring up but want to get off your chest

2. Drop what’s taking up space

Every part of who you are is connected to your brain. Brains help us translate our souls into words and actions for the rest of the world to understand us. When our brains are muddled by overthinking, overworking, or burnout, we’re not giving ourselves a fair chance to present who we are to the world.

Instead, we’re always tired. Always waiting for the weekend. Always thinking about the future because we’re exhausted by the thought of the present.

For that reason, it’s extra important to analyze your inventory and drop what’s just taking up space.

In other words, which people or interactions in your life are toxic? Or not adding value to you? Or don’t quite align with your mission statement and values as a person?

As these pieces of your life take up real estate in your mind, you may find that thinking about them often becomes exhausting, and it’s best to drop them so that you can clear your mind of toxicity and instead focus on what’s meaningful to you.

This is way easier said than done, especially for my hoarder friends. But holding onto the things that take up space without providing any value to you is like befriending a leech.

3. Take the time to organize

Once you’re left with the things that fulfill you, bring value to you, inspire you, and make you feel even a little bit more satisfied with life, then you’re in a good place. That being said, you may still be left with a lot of… stuff.

Not necessarily toxic or bad stuff. But stuff, nevertheless. Even a bunch of good things can take up a lot of space.

Once you’ve narrowed down what you want to keep around, get organizing.

Organizing the different parts of your life doesn’t have to be complicated. Consider splitting it up in a way that makes sense for you. That could be:

Personal Wellness & Growth
Professional Wellness & Growth

Or perhaps by group:

Family
Friends
Co-workers
Myself

Once you’ve created your buckets, jot down all of the pieces of your life that you’ve decided to keep around within these buckets.

4. Note what’s overstocked and understocked

Are any buckets lacking items? Is it important to you to fill it up?

Or the opposite. Do you see a lot in one bucket but not so much in another? For example, I may fill up my “Professional” bucket, but my “Personal” bucket is empty.

At this point, you may need to reconsider your inventory. It’s totally justified for you to appreciate your inventory but still want a change. It’s important to note that at this point, your inventory should include things that empower you, inspire you, or help you progress to the person you want to be.

If you can keep your whole inventory in your mind while still feeling fulfilled and happy, then continue on!

But if you’re feeling overstocked, if you wish you could fill some other buckets in your life, or you think you’re spending too much time in one realm, then it’s okay to make a change. Spring cleaning isn’t all about getting rid of things. It’s also about questioning what we decide to keep.

Given that there’s only 24 hours in a day, we can only store so many things in our minds. Reprioritizing, getting rid of things we don’t need, and appreciating all that we have remaining is essential to spring cleaning the mind.

We don’t grow by dwelling on what we don’t have. We grow by making the most of our current inventory.

Good luck this Spring; I hope that with a fresh mind and clean slate, you feel empowered to continue forward, start over, try something new, or re-center yourself to your values.

See you next year!

Tune in to some of our favorite Shine a Light On podcast episodes focused on wellness & self-awareness: