You are probably beginning to hear the phrase “Spring Cleaning” and wondering how it got started.  I mean, who invented it?

Back when our homes were heated with coal and wood and closed up for the long winters, soot and dirt would accumulate throughout the house on the walls, rugs and linens.  So as soon as spring began and the days became warmer, women were able to throw open all the windows, take their rugs outside to beat and begin to clean windows, walls, linens and anything else that needed a good cleaning.

Fortunately in our modern homes, they don’t get that dirty during the winter.  But ‘spring cleaning’ has stuck in our mindsets, mainly because it’s the perfect time of year to start working in your garden, yard, closets and home.

           Action Plan    

1. Make a whole house plan, going room to room, writing down everything you want and need to do.  It could be as easy as cleaning out a drawer or as hard as re-painting the house.  The beauty of this list is that you can write everything down while you are thinking of it and then choose what really needs to be done.
2. Set aside time on your calendar for when you can get the items you need for the project as well as the time to actually do the project.  This is also the time to start asking for help.  Example:  our yard needs more mulch so I asked my husband when we could work together to get it done and then set aside time on the calendar when we were free.
3. After reviewing your list and discussing options with your husband/children/helpers, select the number one item that is really needing immediate work and start on it.  Example:  with temperatures beginning to rise, you may need to work in your closets: sorting and storing the winter clothes and bringing in the spring and summer items.
4. This fourth step is to remind ourselves what the goal of your list and projects are:  to clear out clutter, clean your home thoroughly, get repairs done, organize as many spaces as you can and then donate what you can.
5. Finish!  Many times we start projects only to never fully finish them.  Make a point to completely finish the projects you started as well as remove all trash, boxes, and items you want to donate.  Then, sit down and enjoy your fresh and new home!

Emotional Check-Up

A recent study at UCLA has found that families have been so focused on finding good deals – better known as stockpiling – that homes have become overburdened with clutter.  Managing and organizing all this stuff has elevated stress levels in today’s moms!  Ironically, families are less likely than ever to have time to visit with neighbors or relax in the backyard.

So take a real hard look at your home and see if you can reduce as much clutter as possible so that you and your family will live with less stress…and much more joy!

Manna from Heaven    

“Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17