Have you ever searched online for a Spring Cleaning Checklist only to feel totally overwhelmed, which causes you just throw your computer across the room and go back to your hovel to eat Oreos? Yeah, that even happens to me!

 

This weekend, I plan to start my official spring cleaning, and I don’t anticipate it will take all day. That’s because of two reasons:

 

1. I have a cleaning routine every week, month, and season that prevents dirt and clutter from accumulating.
2. I try to have minimal physical items so that I am not spending my life cleaning and maintaining things that either I don’t use, don’t need, or don’t add value to my life.

 

Before you begin spring cleaning, think about what you can get rid of from your life. I’m sure you would like to get rid of the countless hours you spend cleaning and re-organizing your stuff. Well, you can get rid of those countless, menial hours—by getting rid of your stuff. Before you clean, do this:

 

Start in one room of your home. Categorize every item in that room as either something that is functional, necessary, or adds value to your life. Include furniture. You might realize that the corner table or cabinet of ceramic artwork is useless, unnecessary, and doesn’t add any value or joy to your life. Get rid of it. Seriously. If this is difficult for you, ask yourself this question:

 

Do I want to either watch these items collect dust or spend hours every few months cleaning these items?

If you said no to both, then say goodbye to these items.

 

After you’ve rid your home of unnecessary items, now you can spend some time cleaning the items and the home you love and cherish. Here’s what you should do not just for spring cleaning, but every three months:

 

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I cannot stress enough the importance of doing what needs to be done today rather than putting it off until tomorrow. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get rid of clutter that will only cause you stress later on in life.

 

Immediately cleaning messes, remaining organized, and living minimally allows you to avoid spring cleaning all together.

 

And that works with every aspect of life. I saw a friend this weekend who is pursuing her law degree at a top tier school. I asked her if she’s incredibly stressed out. “Nah,” she said. “I’m organized and I schedule my assignments so that I get them done on time. I don’t procrastinate. So, I never really get stressed.” That’s my kind of girl! Don’t procrastinate and you won’t have to spend your spring break deep cleaning your house. A little bit every day keeps the mess away.

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