Spring cleaning... on several levels!
Does the year 2025 mean “spring cleaning”?
I don't know about you, but since the beginning of 2025, I've been feeling a strong urge to clean! And that's exactly what I started doing in early January!
Life even gave me a golden opportunity: two of my nephews are getting ready to move into their own apartment! So it was the perfect time to give them a few sets of dishes that I hadn’t used in years!
That said, my urge to “clean” still hasn’t completely subsided… and the warmer weather of the past few weeks seems to be making it even stronger!
Much more than just cleaning!
Cleaning up on several levels
When I talk about cleaning, I'm referring not only to the need to create physical space in my home but also to the need to let go of certain emotions to clear my mind.
Household and positive psychology
During one of my sabbaticals, my aunt—a librarian and avid book lover—recommended the book *Mon Projet Bonheur* by Christine Michaud to me. It is a 12-week personal development program that explores 12 themes in positive psychology.
One of these topics was, in fact, spring cleaning! That week, the author encouraged readers to take the time to go through every room in their house, empty their drawers and closets, and sort through their belongings.
She explained that this major cleanup not only helped declutter our physical space but also helped declutter our thoughts and our inner world.
Inner-self cleaning in action
And that's exactly what happened to me. As I walked through each room, I felt lighter and lighter, both physically and emotionally.
I realized just how often our possessions come with a story, and that when we're ready to let go of an item, we also release the emotions attached to it.
Sometimes we're not ready to let go right away, and that's perfectly fine. In some cases, it took me several years before I was able to part with certain items.
All in good time
What matters isn't so much the number of items we let go of, but rather becoming aware of the importance we have attached—or still attach—to certain possessions in our lives. We can then consciously choose the right moment to release the emotions tied to them.
Navigating a Consumer Society
Let's be honest: we live in a society that encourages constant consumption—products that last less and less, new models that are always "trendier" than the previous ones, and so on.
And with social media, everyone has something that someone else doesn't… which creates a sense of “need” in us!
Doing more with less
My big clean-out made me realize that I can live just fine with fewer possessions! Or rather, that I wasn't using everything I owned, which means I was already living with less!
Over time, I've also come to realize that owning fewer possessions requires less maintenance, costs less, and takes up less space—both physically and mentally.
Whenever I see a cluttered room in my home, my stress levels inevitably rise, and I try to declutter as quickly as possible to clear my field of vision!
Now it's your turn!
What about you? Do you ever feel the urge to clean? When was the last time you did a "thorough cleaning"?
Where do you feel most comfortable: in a minimalist space or in a room filled with memories?
There's no right or wrong answer—the idea is simply to become aware of the environment where you feel best! And to understand why!
Need a helping hand?
Not sure where to start? Coaching can be a valuable tool to help you find your own answers!
Give it a try! What's more, the first introductory session is free!
