Spring clean for your mental health
It could be the consequences of a growing family, or maybe the work of a creative brain eager to repurpose. No matter the reason, humans have an immense ability to accumulate – clothes, furniture, books, papers, kitchen utensils, receipts, phone chargers, bubble wrap, wire cables with no known function, even gifts we know we will never use.
Purging your home of these unwanted items can be a wonderful ritual of the changing season that does the mind some good.
“The sense of bringing order to disorder is very gratifying,” says Dr. Karen Rowa, a psychologist in the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joe’s. “It can create a sense of pride or even a sense of relief.”
To achieve an effective clean sweep you need a block of time and determination. But Rowa points out you might also need a supportive friend. Donating a pair of pants that no longer fit won’t take a lot of coaxing, but when it comes to letting go of grandma’s prized Red Rose Tea figurines you might need to talk it through.
“Some struggle with things that are sentimental,” says Rowa. “It’s easy to get caught up in that. People who do, really have to work through it and they can.”
What about that garage sale dresser you scored for five bucks? It only needs a little sanding and a few coats of paint. If you’re the kind of person who has more ideas than time, turn to your buddy.
“It’s good to have somebody else there to give us a sober second thought.”
Karen Rowa’s tips for successfully cleaning house:
- Start with the most important job or room
- If it’s long overdue, spread the project over a number of days
- Try to make a decision about an item immediately: is it trash or can it be given away?
- If it’s emotionally exhausting, have a box labelled ‘to be decided’ and deal with it later
- Think about how helpful or meaningful your donated items will be for someone else
Reminder:
The West 5th Campus retail outlet ‘Twice as Nice’ accepts gently used clean clothing and shoes.