It’s April and spring cleaning is on our minds. Admittedly, spring cleaning is not something we all love to do but as mentioned in our last article, “Top 5 Reasons Why Your Mama Wants You to Spring Clean,” there is a lot of good that can come from it.

Spring cleaning includes things like dusting and vacuuming all surfaces, washing windows and curtains, and more. Some people also use this time to do more extensive tasks such as cleaning the carpets, washing walls, cleaning corners, etc. As you can imagine, the time spent cleaning can be longer than a normal cleaning day but some might also find it soothing. In my experience, it can bring opportunities for introspection and reflection. It has given me some new insights into life.

1 | Always start small.

When cleaning, I start with a couple of easy things first. That way, I can get a few things done right away and feel good about my accomplishments.

Life Lesson: Starting small is a great way to build momentum, gain confidence, and make progress toward larger goals or projects. By taking small steps towards your goal, you can overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed, learn and improve as you go, and ultimately achieve greater success in the long run.

2 | A little goes a long way.

It could be tempting to use a lot of cleaner in the hopes that things will get clean faster. I can assure you that more cleaning product does not help things get cleaner faster. In fact, it can negatively impact your cleaning and your health.

Too much cleaning product can leave behind a residue that is difficult to remove. Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to your body if you are exposed to them in large quantities. Your exposure to these chemicals can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues. So, when cleaning, always use a moderate amount of cleaner, don’t overdo it!

Life Lesson: Just like a small amount of cleaning product goes a long way, small acts of kindness or appreciation can have a lasting impact on someone's mood or outlook. It can make someone’s day, their week, or their life. We never know what difficult circumstances other people may be facing, even our small actions can make a positive difference. See our article, “How You Can Make the World Better —Small Things That Make a Difference” to learn more.

3 | Don't breathe in toxic fumes.

Often cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to breathe in. Be careful!

Life Lesson: Just like with the toxic chemicals and cleaning, sometimes people around us can be toxic and have negative influences on our lives. Toxic people can cause unnecessary stress and worry in our lives because of their behavior. Often, this aura of negativity can impact those around them. If this is happening to you, it could be time to set boundaries to make sure that their toxicity does not affect you as well. Staying in toxic relationships can be draining, possibly even unsafe. If there has been any pain, abuse, or dishonesty, you may want to consider moving forward in a different direction, for your own sanity.

4 | Don’t give up in the middle of the mess.

When you’re in the middle of your cleaning, it will be a mess. Furniture might be out of place, clothes, and other possessions may be strewn around. Looking around may cause you to think twice, maybe even give up. When you’re in the middle of it, you may be tempted to give up… DON’T.

Life Lesson: Take a break when you need to. Then take things one step at a time. Want to know more? Read our article: What to Do When There's Too Much to Do.

5 | Break it down into parts.

Sometimes, the sheer volume of what needs to be cleaned can be overwhelming, making it difficult to know where to start or how to prioritize tasks. Like many things in life, breaking down projects into smaller tasks can make it feel manageable. You can tackle a small project like washing all the curtains or scrubbing baseboards, much easier than cleaning your whole home all in one day.

Life Lesson: Break big projects into smaller parts that are easy to tackle. This will make the process less stressful and bring more satisfaction at the end.

6 | Always wear protection.

That being said, you should wear protection like gloves or a mask to protect your hands and lungs when you’re cleaning.

Life Lesson: Just like with cleaning, in life, you can take steps to protect yourself from undesirable situations, whatever that means for you. This could apply to buying insurance, even if you don’t think you need it. It could mean wearing contraception if you decide to be sexually active. It could also mean avoiding dangerous situations, even when they seem like fun, i.e. meeting with a guy you met online in a private location. Whatever it is, be smart and protect yourself.

7 | Give yourself more time than you think.

It’s easy to begin cleaning or start on a home project only to get wrapped up in it for far longer than you expected. When that happens, you may feel stress setting in or rush and do a worse job than you’d like. Overestimate how much time something may take to prevent this!

Life Lesson: Giving yourself plenty of time to work on homework or a project can lead to better outcomes, increased creativity, and reduced stress. It's important to plan ahead and set realistic timelines to ensure that you have enough time to complete the project to the best of your ability. Doing this will make school or your work more enjoyable.

8 | It’s okay to let things go.

Admittedly, clumsy should have been my middle name. I’ve had the misfortune of dropping or breaking something while cleaning more times than I can count. Sometimes the item has sentimental value to me and I’ve been incredibly sad that it broke (RIP GS coffee mug). In those moments, I realized that I was probably more attached to that item than I should have been. I have had to learn to let those things go.

Life Lesson: In life, there are things we hold on to more than we should —sometimes it’s things, sometimes it’s expectations, and oftentimes it’s things we can’t control. What are you holding on to that you need to let go of?

9 | Music helps.

Whenever you’re working on a project or just need to process something, putting on music helps. Music can be a highly effective motivator due to its ability to evoke emotions. If you need to move, it helps you set a rhythm so you can get stuff done. It also distracts from current concerns and helps you remember some positive experiences, and boosts your mood.

Life Lesson: By listening to music while performing tasks or activities, you can stay motivated and engaged for longer periods.