Now that spring is in full swing, many of us will feel the urge to participate in the annual ritual known as A Spring Clean. Spring season is traditionally equated to a time for cleaning and decluttering. It’s a time to refresh and organise our lives; to come alive after a winter of hibernation with a spring in our step and a squeaky clean, ‘perfect’ home.
According to The Thane H2O Great British Spring Cleaning Survey 2022, “more than 93% of British households participate in spring cleaning activities at least once a year”. However, this tradition is not something everyone has the capacity for, or even the care and motivation to undertake. I’ll admit it; this year I am one of them and if you, like myself, do not feel inclined to unearth the marigolds and Marie Kondo the fluff out of your house, I want to take this as an opportunity to reassure you that that is okay.
I will not be participating in a big spring clean this season, and no, it’s not because I am lazy, or messy.
Here’s why I’m going against the norm this season and giving spring cleaning the boot.
Spring cleaning takes time.
The reasons behind my decision are entirely personal – right now, I simply do not have the time, or energy, to dedicate to such a huge task. My schedule is already bursting thanks to work, an expanding family, other commitments and, if I’m honest, prioritising much-needed time out for myself as my pregnancy progresses. I do not need, or want, to overload myself and add yet another plate to those I am already spinning.
Instead, I am making a conscious effort to find balance in my life and take better care of myself. Turning my house upside down in order to donate a bag to charity and free up a single drawer is not something that is a priority right now. Rather, I’ve realised that I do not need to succumb to the societal pressure of spring cleaning in order to feel productive or fulfilled. My time and effort are better spent elsewhere and I am not afraid to say that.
Life is messy - we don’t exist in ‘Insta-perfection’
Of course, that doesn’t mean that my home is untidy and cluttered. I try to shop consciously and I make an effort to keep on top of the daily chores and ensure my house is in relative order. But I also recognise that life can be messy and I think it’s important to acknowledge that. I’m not going to beat myself up because my house doesn’t look ‘insta perfect’ 100% of the time. Sometimes the dishes don’t get done, or the laundry piles up, or the messy drawer multiplies and that’s okay.
It's okay to take a break
We live in a society which equates productivity and success with constantly doing and achieving…boy, isn’t that hamster wheel exhausting? It’s okay to want to take a break. Don’t let societal expectations dictate how you spend your time. Instead, focus on what makes you happy whether that’s blitzing your home from top to bottom, or simply enjoying everything you already own and making the most of the (small) pockets of time you have to put your feet up!
Spring cleaning does not always ‘spark joy’
Minimalism is a craze that has gained a lot of traction over the last several years with the international bestseller and queen of decluttering, Marie Kondo presiding over them all.
For those of you who might not be familiar with the KonMari method, the principle is to abandon anything that doesn’t ‘spark joy’: The KonMari Method encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. (Read more about the KonMari method here).
Don’t get me wrong, I do think it’s great to donate unwanted things to charity or to give items a new lease of life by passing on that which has been outgrown to someone who can make use of them. However, it’s almost turned into a vicious cycle where we are culling items that no longer ‘spark joy’ only to end up replacing them because we were too quick to jump on a trend. Sure, it feels great to have a decluttered home, but what happens when that feeling is replaced with regret when you search for something only to realise it no longer exists?
I’m talking about an old phone that may well have saved the day when your brand-new iPhone has an unfortunate meeting with the pavement – and loses. Or old bedsheets that could have been used as a protective sheet when painting, except they didn’t bring warmth to your heart and now you’re shelling out for more alongside your paint tins.
Shop consciously and with consideration
So, rather than getting myself trapped in this endless cycle, I’m making an effort to eliminate the problem at its source by shopping more consciously. That means pausing before I check out a 10+ item basket ‘because it’s on sale’ when all I went online for was to replace my favourite pair of jeans that have been worn to death. If I don’t have an abundance of things cluttering my home, I won’t feel the pressure to have to declutter.
Spring cleaning tips for the decluttering fan
Whilst I’ve presented my argument against it, I do recognise that not everyone will have the same reaction to the prospect of spring cleaning. As mentioned previously, 93% of Brits engage in some sort of spring cleaning activity at least once a year and for some of us, this is a process that genuinely does spark joy. If you are a person who is ready to undertake a spring refresh with gusto, here are a few tips and strategies from me. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to spring clean, just do what works for you around your schedule and life.
Keep/Donate/Discard
Minimalist or hoarder, there are likely at least a couple of items which you no longer need or use. Go through your possessions one room at a time and decide what to keep, donate or discard. Be honest with yourself about whether or not it might be beneficial to keep it. Some things are difficult to let go of, but it can also be a liberating experience.
Reach for those marigolds, we’re deep cleaning
It’s time to get dirty, or clean, depending on which way you look at it. And by deep clean, we mean deep. That means the nooks and crannies that are often overlooked like down the back of the sofa, behind appliances and inside cabinets. Give everything a good scrub/dust/clean and put everything back in an organised fashion.
The finishing touches
Finish your spring clean with a little spruce of your space. This could be swapping out your bedding, adding some colourful throws or cushions to the sofa, or simply buying a bunch of daffodils for the dining room table to brighten up the space. Oftentimes, it’s the smallest changes that can make the biggest difference to the way you feel about your home, so don’t underestimate it.
How are you approaching spring cleaning this season?
Admittedly, I do have one exception to my stance against engaging in a spring clean this year and that is my wedding dress. I recently found it in my closet and realised it is time to let it go and free up some space, so it has been listed for sale on stillwhite.com. However, for the most part, I actually don’t have much to declutter or get rid of, so instead I am choosing to enjoy the things that I do have and appreciate the memories they represent for me.
I want to encourage you to do the same. Embrace your possessions and recognise what they mean to you. It’s okay to not want to rip your house up and start again – you can love and embrace your home just as Mark Darcy did with Bridget Jones; “I like you very much, Just as you are”, blue string, or messy drawers and all.
I may not be spring cleaning this year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be running out of my home cleaning essentials. Sign up for Bundant to have your laundry and dishwasher products delivered straight to your door, exactly when you need it.
Why I Won’t Be Spring Cleaning This Year
Now that spring is in full swing, many of us will feel the urge to participate in the annual ritual known as A Spring Clean. Spring season is traditionally equated to a time for cleaning and decluttering. It’s a time to refresh and organise our lives; to come alive after a winter of hibernation with a spring in our step and a squeaky clean, ‘perfect’ home.
According to The Thane H2O Great British Spring Cleaning Survey 2022, “more than 93% of British households participate in spring cleaning activities at least once a year”. However, this tradition is not something everyone has the capacity for, or even the care and motivation to undertake. I’ll admit it; this year I am one of them and if you, like myself, do not feel inclined to unearth the marigolds and Marie Kondo the fluff out of your house, I want to take this as an opportunity to reassure you that that is okay.
I will not be participating in a big spring clean this season, and no, it’s not because I am lazy, or messy.
Here’s why I’m going against the norm this season and giving spring cleaning the boot.
Spring cleaning takes time.
The reasons behind my decision are entirely personal – right now, I simply do not have the time, or energy, to dedicate to such a huge task. My schedule is already bursting thanks to work, an expanding family, other commitments and, if I’m honest, prioritising much-needed time out for myself as my pregnancy progresses. I do not need, or want, to overload myself and add yet another plate to those I am already spinning.
Instead, I am making a conscious effort to find balance in my life and take better care of myself. Turning my house upside down in order to donate a bag to charity and free up a single drawer is not something that is a priority right now. Rather, I’ve realised that I do not need to succumb to the societal pressure of spring cleaning in order to feel productive or fulfilled. My time and effort are better spent elsewhere and I am not afraid to say that.
Life is messy - we don’t exist in ‘Insta-perfection’
Of course, that doesn’t mean that my home is untidy and cluttered. I try to shop consciously and I make an effort to keep on top of the daily chores and ensure my house is in relative order. But I also recognise that life can be messy and I think it’s important to acknowledge that. I’m not going to beat myself up because my house doesn’t look ‘insta perfect’ 100% of the time. Sometimes the dishes don’t get done, or the laundry piles up, or the messy drawer multiplies and that’s okay.
It's okay to take a break
We live in a society which equates productivity and success with constantly doing and achieving…boy, isn’t that hamster wheel exhausting? It’s okay to want to take a break. Don’t let societal expectations dictate how you spend your time. Instead, focus on what makes you happy whether that’s blitzing your home from top to bottom, or simply enjoying everything you already own and making the most of the (small) pockets of time you have to put your feet up!
Spring cleaning does not always ‘spark joy’
Minimalism is a craze that has gained a lot of traction over the last several years with the international bestseller and queen of decluttering, Marie Kondo presiding over them all.
For those of you who might not be familiar with the KonMari method, the principle is to abandon anything that doesn’t ‘spark joy’: The KonMari Method encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. (Read more about the KonMari method here).
Don’t get me wrong, I do think it’s great to donate unwanted things to charity or to give items a new lease of life by passing on that which has been outgrown to someone who can make use of them. However, it’s almost turned into a vicious cycle where we are culling items that no longer ‘spark joy’ only to end up replacing them because we were too quick to jump on a trend. Sure, it feels great to have a decluttered home, but what happens when that feeling is replaced with regret when you search for something only to realise it no longer exists?
I’m talking about an old phone that may well have saved the day when your brand-new iPhone has an unfortunate meeting with the pavement – and loses. Or old bedsheets that could have been used as a protective sheet when painting, except they didn’t bring warmth to your heart and now you’re shelling out for more alongside your paint tins.
Shop consciously and with consideration
So, rather than getting myself trapped in this endless cycle, I’m making an effort to eliminate the problem at its source by shopping more consciously. That means pausing before I check out a 10+ item basket ‘because it’s on sale’ when all I went online for was to replace my favourite pair of jeans that have been worn to death. If I don’t have an abundance of things cluttering my home, I won’t feel the pressure to have to declutter.
Spring cleaning tips for the decluttering fan
Whilst I’ve presented my argument against it, I do recognise that not everyone will have the same reaction to the prospect of spring cleaning. As mentioned previously, 93% of Brits engage in some sort of spring cleaning activity at least once a year and for some of us, this is a process that genuinely does spark joy. If you are a person who is ready to undertake a spring refresh with gusto, here are a few tips and strategies from me. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to spring clean, just do what works for you around your schedule and life.
Keep/Donate/Discard
Minimalist or hoarder, there are likely at least a couple of items which you no longer need or use. Go through your possessions one room at a time and decide what to keep, donate or discard. Be honest with yourself about whether or not it might be beneficial to keep it. Some things are difficult to let go of, but it can also be a liberating experience.
Reach for those marigolds, we’re deep cleaning
It’s time to get dirty, or clean, depending on which way you look at it. And by deep clean, we mean deep. That means the nooks and crannies that are often overlooked like down the back of the sofa, behind appliances and inside cabinets. Give everything a good scrub/dust/clean and put everything back in an organised fashion.
The finishing touches
Finish your spring clean with a little spruce of your space. This could be swapping out your bedding, adding some colourful throws or cushions to the sofa, or simply buying a bunch of daffodils for the dining room table to brighten up the space. Oftentimes, it’s the smallest changes that can make the biggest difference to the way you feel about your home, so don’t underestimate it.
How are you approaching spring cleaning this season?
Admittedly, I do have one exception to my stance against engaging in a spring clean this year and that is my wedding dress. I recently found it in my closet and realised it is time to let it go and free up some space, so it has been listed for sale on stillwhite.com. However, for the most part, I actually don’t have much to declutter or get rid of, so instead I am choosing to enjoy the things that I do have and appreciate the memories they represent for me.
I want to encourage you to do the same. Embrace your possessions and recognise what they mean to you. It’s okay to not want to rip your house up and start again – you can love and embrace your home just as Mark Darcy did with Bridget Jones; “I like you very much, Just as you are”, blue string, or messy drawers and all.
I may not be spring cleaning this year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be running out of my home cleaning essentials. Sign up for Bundant to have your laundry and dishwasher products delivered straight to your door, exactly when you need it.