We’ve all got plenty on our everyday To-Do Lists – things like, put on pants, brush teeth, don’t lock your keys in your car. We usually nail it, we’ve gotten good at this. Then there’s the Weekend List that’s usually a bit more fun and may or may not involve pants. There’s also the To-Email list that is well… just deeply stressful. And the To-Dust list that we willfully ignore because of the All The Things You Can Do Besides Dust List which is suddenly very relevant every time dusting crosses our minds.
I’m here with a new submission. Our Springtime Is Great And WE GROWN To-Do List. A list of things that help us feel like we’ve set ourselves up for success in this new season. A list of things that let us know we’re independent, capable, versatile, self-caring, plant-caring, generous, and just very human humans.
Ok? Here’s my list. Perhaps this will resonate in your brainspace.
1 • Come April, my purse likely has an extra clean-ish shirt, a bag of mostly empty toiletries, an assortment of lip glosses I impulse bought, a half eaten bar of chocolate, and a weird amount of loose papers and pencils. Springtime me says – change out your purse for the season. Don’t buy a new one, just go into the closet and resurrect a purse you haven’t thought of in a good while. Changing out our purses will freshen our routine, our look, and will force us to clean out all of those random pen caps because gosh those get away from us fast. With all the junk cleared, add a little something extra: a tin of Altoids and an aromatherapy roller.
2 • Similarly – clean out your wallet. Remember George Castanza’s wallet? We can do without carrying around all the paperwork and Irish money.
3 • I get tired of apologizing for things I just should have taken care of. Saying ‘I’m sorry my car is a mess’ everytime someone gets in my car? Listen… I just don’t want to do that anymore. Clean the car. Take 45 minutes and mostly… throw out, recycle, wipe down and WE GOOD WE GROWN. Clean your car if you’re sick of apologizing for a dirty car. If you’re not, then seriously – do you!
4 • One of the surest signs of successful adulthood I’ve ever known – a candle in the bathroom. Put a new candle in the bathroom even if that means swapping out another used candle from a different part of the house. Get a fresh scent and a fresh start in that very grown human bathroom!
5 • Baking related: Buy new baking soda and baking powder for the kitchen. I do this twice a year, in Spring and in Fall. It’s cheap and these two ingredients are important in the kitchen. Just do it. Also… the baking soda we discard can be used to for all our Spring cleaning. See? Thinkin’.
6 • If you’re anything like me, there are surely some dusty shelves and neglected corners around the house. I splurge on a deep clean cleaning service a few times a year. It helps with things like, cleaning the fans and walls and baseboards behind the couch. Listen… living an adult life is a whoooole thing. I’m just trying to help.
7 • Plant something! Anything small or large. Invite something new and living into the space and watch it grow. I’m keeping it simple with herbs and marigolds.
8 • Purge some books. I find that books stack up around me quickly. But the best part of having a book is sharing a book. Give away books to a Free Library near you and treat yourself to a new cookbook! I’m excited to cook through Syke McAlpine’s A Table In Venice. It’s such a gorgeous book!
9 • Good sunscreen and a brimmed hat are my anti-aging strategies so get a hat and carry a scarf in the purse for extra coverage. I don’t like getting caught in the sun without protection. Girl Scout- style. Be prepared.
10 • Revisit your New Year’s Resolutions. Um… remember those!? Spring is a good time to refresh those intentions with compassion for yourselves. We’re doing great. Let’s just remember our notes to ourselves.
I hope this list helps you continue to thrive. What do you to do refresh this time of year? I’d love your suggestions, too!
Be well.
More soon!
xo J
Jacquie Gariano
We are just having the kitchen floor done. Awful, dust everywhere, I mean everywhere. So a cleaning service is coming next week to do a “deep cleaning” Love that. A clean house and little effort on my part. I do dump my purse out once a month but everything seems to go back in. I’m getting out a smaller summer purse I use when I travel and going to use that for a while to see if I can cut down on the purse clutter. I love all these tips, it encourages me to get to the car and under my bed.
anupreetkaur
I love this! Thanks for the reminders and smiles.
Christine
I love the idea of just dealing with something instead of apologizing for it! For me it’s my office… oy. Too many old binders (BINDERS?!?) and random things that “I might need someday.” My Saturday-self knows I won’t… now I just need to hold on to that feeling till my Monday-self is reunited with my desk (and my recycling bin).
Is it inappropriate to say how much I miss your podcast? :D
Brittany
Love your list!! I just de-cluttered and did a deep clean of all of my kitchen counters and I’m SOOO happy! Added a vase of colorful and cheery tulips and it makes me smile every time I enter the kitchen.
Leanne
Yes! The car!!! I actually had that on my list of things to do today but only because its going in for service and if it’s de-junked they vacuum it. I pretty much live in my car (long commute) so I tend to collect a lot of random stuff in there.
Teri I
I am “treating” myself to every Friday off in April to attack the spring purge and get my whole house clean. It’s amazing how wonderful the house feels when the windows are clean! Love the new candle idea. Many thanks!
Kimiko
This is a great list! Love a fresh start in Spring. The inner “Changling” in me craves change all the time so these little things will definitely make a difference this spring!
Chloe (Musings on Dinner)
I definitely, definitely feel you on number 8. I love reading and I love cookbooks and I live in a small flat and…the three things do not always go together. I am currently engaging in some decluttering activity. Clothes and cooking/baking stuff, too. It’s amazing how much dust these things can gather. And I really don’t need that cardigan I haven’t worn since I was 23 anymore.
Chrissy
#1 and #2…it’s like you’re seeing what I’m seeing. Thanks for the reminder- the Costanza wallet is no more!
kcf
It’s small, but I love swapping out my sagey velvet living room curtains for natural white cotton panels. I pack the old season’s curtains away dirty and wash the incoming season’s, hang them and let them air dry (and no ironing!). Makes the room smell delicious and really triggers “fresh start.”
Ashley H.
I love this. So many times I find myself reading articles along the lines of “how do I organize…declutter…get my life figured out…whatever.” Which leads to me being overwhelmed with the steps and helpful hints and not doing a. single. thing. about anything. Yours reads more along the lines of “You got this. You’re capable. Just do it.” which is refreshing. In my life overthinking=no productiveness.
Tina
Me too, Ashley!
Claire, UK
I’ve been washing plant-pots from my garden in my bath, ready for the growing season to come. Yesterday, a slug poked its head out of the drying pile of pots next to the tub. I’m not sure that adding a candle is going to have a big impact on the ambience right now! :-D Maybe once all the pots are washed…