First Things First

Spring is just around the corner, and it always brings a promise of fresh starts. The idea of “spring cleaning” feels like a natural instinct—an opportunity to breathe new life into our spaces and routines. But here’s the thing I’ve learned over the years: before I can clean things up, I yearn to clean things out.

I remember as a child, when my mother would ask me to clean my room, the task would quickly turn into something much more involved. Instead of tidying up like a normal person, I’d dive straight into my closet. Forty-five minutes later, she’d return to find the entire contents of my closet dumped out across the floor—clothes, books, and shoes scattered in every direction. I’d be sitting in the middle of the chaos, proclaiming, “I know it looks bad, but trust me, I got this!” The reality was, adding to the closet clutter might make my room look better, but it wouldn’t make it feel better. To do that, I had to tackle the real source of the mess—the reason it had overflowed into the room in the first place.

As an adult, I still catch myself doing the same thing. My husband, who knows me all too well, hesitates whenever I suggest a new project—whether it’s decluttering the attic or rearranging the living room. He’s seen firsthand that when I get started, things can spiral. “Are you sure you want to start this?” he asks, already dreading the piles that will inevitably take over every room. I get it—it’s a bit daunting to think about how much work could be involved.

But I have come to understand that cleaning out is the first step to any real cleanup. First things first: before diving into the task of organizing or tidying up, clear out the old, whether that’s physical clutter or outdated habits and thoughts. Only when I’ve cleared the space—both mentally and physically—can I truly begin to feel the benefits of a cleaner, more organized life.

So, after some convincing, my husband and I finally agreed to tackle the clutter together. I have promised that this time, we will go slow and steady—no avalanches of stuff. We’ll clean out first, and then—maybe, just maybe—the cleanup will fall into place. And, as a bonus, we’ll be able to look forward to tackling the actual spring cleaning—one room at a time.

Now, if I could just convince him that the closets are the place to start.

Enjoy this month’s issue, and I hope to see you around soon.

Until next time,