Spring Cleaning: 5 Ways to Refresh and Reset
From to-do lists so long it feels like they may never end, to the added stress of approaching the end of the semester, spring cleaning can feel like a daunting task. Despite this, spring cleaning should be a time to clean, organize, and get prepared for the end of the school year. Here are five tips to help you get started with your spring cleaning to refresh and reset!
1. Clean the spaces you spend time in!
Physically cleaning the spaces that you spend time in can be a great way to refresh and get ready for the end of the semester. Go beyond just dusting off your shelves or cleaning off your desk. Take the time to clean out your closet and donate the clothes you rarely wear, empty out that junk drawer you’ve been avoiding for a while, and declutter your desk. In addition to deep cleaning your apartment or dorm room, take the time to clean other spaces you spend time in, like your car or your desk at work. Below is a list of different tasks to guide you in cleaning the spaces you spend the most time in!
Clean out your closet and donate the clothes you don’t wear to charity
Clean out any drawers or cabinets in your home
Wipe down the inside of your refrigerator (mini fridge if you’re in a dorm room)
Declutter the center console and the glove compartment of your car
Dust and disinfect any surfaces
2. Declutter your technology
Another great way to reset is decluttering your technology. As students, we spend the majority of our time on our laptops and our phones. Take the time to go through your laptop and organize. Put documents in the right folders on your desktop and delete what you don’t need. You can also take the time to do this with platforms like Google Drive and ICloud to keep all your files organized and easily accessible. In addition to your desktop, take the time to declutter your phone, too. Go through your photo album and delete the pictures you don’t need, get rid of any apps you don’t use, and unsubscribe from email lists that clutter your inbox.
3. Take time to unplug
Although it’s important to take the time to declutter the technology we use often, it’s also important to take some time away from your devices. To refresh this spring, dedicate a little time each day to step away from technology. Whether it is taking a walk, reading a book, or studying, make an effort to spend a little time away from your phone, laptop, and any other devices you use.
4. Organize your finances
Spring cleaning is a great time to organize your finances and reset for the remainder of the year. You can create a budget for the remainder of your semester to allocate your spending. In addition to this, determine areas where you believe you are spending too much money and work on limiting your spending in these areas. You can begin tracking your expenses if you don’t already do so. Organizing your finances can also include determining any subscriptions you no longer need and canceling them, along with making any changes to your spending habits, such as eating out less or limiting online shopping.
5. Take time for yourself
The fifth way to refresh and reset during your spring cleaning is to make sure you’re taking time for yourself. As the end of the semester approaches your schedule can seem hectic and your to-do list may be never ending, but it is important to make a little time each day to do things that inspire you and make you happy. Despite the stress that often comes with the last half of the semester, make time to learn new things, enjoy the things that you are passionate about, and spend time with the people you love.
These are just a few examples of the many activities you can include in your spring cleaning. These tips can help you refresh and reset physically, mentally, and emotionally in preparation for the remainder of the semester and the rest of the year.
By Katie Smith
