Lucy Wellmaker

With spring right around the corner, it is a great time to think about what needs cleaning out. Every time I clean out a closet I get a burst of energy, and I get a little more excited about my life! I feel more in control and I am reminded that I am in charge, and that I can create a life I love!

This may sound like an exaggerated reaction to an organized closet, but there is a lot of truth to it. I once heard it said that “if you can clean out a closet, you can change the world.” This is because you use the same set of skills. Do you see why cleaning out closets excites me?

An unorganized and cluttered closet can represent a huge undertaking, maybe even an unattainable goal, given a “busy life.” It would be much easier to close the doors to that closet and pretend that everything is okay.

When the decision is made to put it off no longer, the momentum begins. And once you start, you have done the hardest part! Then it’s about taking it one step at a time, staying focused and being determined.

When I finish cleaning out a closet, and I step back to admire my work, I feel energized. I actually feel lighter and I can think more clearly. Spring cleaning cleanses my soul! It’s amazing how draining a cluttered closet can be, even with the doors closed. I have come to realize that the burst of energy that I get is an indication of how much energy was tied to the closet before it was cleaned out.

What is stealing your energy? Is it the piles of papers that you need to go through, or the boxes of pictures you plan to scrapbook, or maybe those minor repairs that you keep putting off. Even when hidden, these things can be very draining and rob you of your much-needed energy.

If you are not yet convinced of this, and the thought of cleaning out a closet is overwhelming, start with something smaller. Clean out a drawer or a small cabinet. Find an area that you can complete in 15 minutes or less. Set the timer and go!

One thing that you may find helpful is to move away from the “all or nothing” way of thinking. For example, one may think “either I carve out three hours to clean out all my drawers or I don’t do it at all.” It’s okay to do a drawer at a time! The idea is to get it done. Once you do one drawer, you’ll be energized and motivated to do more!

Find out what spring cleaning you need to do by walking around your house with a piece of paper and a pencil. Write down everything that is draining you. As you enter these spaces, you may actually feel yourself losing energy. Keep going!

No matter how long your list, you are one step closer to accomplishing these things. Remember, it’s not all or nothing. Take it one step at a time. Pick your top 10 drainers and make plans to do what it takes to check these off. Start with the one you dread the most.

You don’t have to do it alone. Ask for help or hire someone. It can be well worth the price you pay. Make a decision to put this off no longer so that you can reclaim your energy. Spring into action and create a life you love!