There’s something about spring that makes you want to throw open the windows, drag things out of closets, and start fresh. I mean, I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re very over winter at this point. We’re ready for something new. Something warm. Something more inviting.
And yup, we talk a lot about spring cleaning our homes—but we rarely talk about what it does for our minds.
There’s actually a major connection between a cleaner, calmer space and a cleaner, calmer headspace. Ever notice that when the clutter is gone, you feel clearer and more relaxed?
So this year, what if spring cleaning wasn’t just about your junk drawer?
What if it was also about finally letting go of some of the stuff you’ve been carrying around mentally:
- the guilt
- the digital clutter
- the relationships that drain you
- the version of yourself you’ve been holding onto out of habit
Well, now is as good a time as any! So, here are eight simple spring cleaning practices that do double duty: they’ll clear your space and your mind.
1. Tackle One Junk Drawer (Just One)
Don’t try to do the whole house. That’s too much and will likely end in overwhelm.
Instead, pick one drawer. Maybe you’ve been staring at the chaotic one with batteries, expired coupons, and mystery keys. And every time you look at it, you know. It’s a problem that needs fixing. Now is the time!
And once you do… you may feel a genuine sense of accomplishment. In fact, research shows that completing even minor tasks can trigger a release of dopamine, which improves mood and motivation. Thus, this little win can be the spark you need to keep going (in cleaning and in life!).
And even if you don’t, you’ll have tackled one drawer; that’s progress! Plus, you’ll stop losing ten minutes every time you need scissors.
2. Go Through Your Closet and Let Go of What No Longer Fits Your Life
This isn’t just about things that don’t fit your body (though, yes, that too), but also clothes that belong to an older version of you. Maybe it’s the blazer from a job you hated, the dress you bought for a life you thought you’d be living, or the jeans that make you feel bad every time you see them (hence why they’re at the back of the closet).
Holding onto clothes like these offers a quiet, ongoing reminder of something you’re not. Plus, studies suggest that clutter in our homes is directly linked to elevated cortisol levels, the hormone our bodies produce in response to stress.
So, letting go of these items is a small but meaningful act of self-compassion. You’re making room for who you actually are right now and getting rid of any “stuff” that’s holding you back!
3. Clean Out Your Digital Space
Your inbox. Your camera roll. The apps you downloaded once and never opened. The screenshots you’ve been meaning to deal with or “check out” since 2022 (Guilty of this one; I have endless screenshots of recipes, books, and more that I’ve never even looked up).
While digital clutter is invisible (maybe until your phone or computer starts acting up), a cluttered digital environment may trigger the same stress responses in the brain as physical clutter. Think about it: The constant reminder of unread emails or disorganized files creates a low-grade, nagging sense of being behind.
Even clearing out 50 emails or deleting a few apps you haven’t touched in months can make your brain feel measurably lighter. So, start small. Set a timer for 15 minutes and just see what you can delete. You might be surprised how much better it feels!
4. Curate Your Social Media Feed
This one doesn’t require any physical effort, but it might be the most impactful thing on this list.
Unfollow the accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. Mute the ones that stress you out. You don’t owe anyone your attention, and you certainly don’t owe them space in your daily mental feed.
Ultimately, following accounts that inspire or uplift you and removing the ones that fuel comparison or anxiety are among the simplest ways to protect your mental health on a daily basis.
Related Article: Digital Decluttering De-Stress: 5 Helpful Steps To Get Organized
5. Let Go of Something You’ve Been Carrying Mentally
We hold onto things that no longer serve us the same way we hold onto stuff we don’t use. And yes, this is often out of habit, guilt, or a vague sense that we still need it.
So, what are you still carrying? A friendship you’ve outgrown but feel too guilty to step back from? A standard you set for yourself years ago that doesn’t really apply anymore? An apology you’re still waiting on that you’ve decided you’ll never move forward without?
Take a few minutes to actually write it down. Name the thing—or things—you’re still holding. Then ask yourself honestly: Is this still serving me, or am I just used to carrying it?
Then, set it down. Let it go. Yes, it really can be that simple.
6. Clean Out Your Pantry and Restock with Intention
Pull out what’s expired, what you’re never going to eat, and what’s been sitting in the back since before you can remember. Then, take a look at what’s actually in there.
What we eat directly affects how we feel. After all, the nutrients we eat are the building blocks our body uses, including for neurotransmitters and hormones directly linked to mental health.
So, an organized, nourishing pantry makes it easier to make better choices on a Tuesday night when you’re tired and stressed. It’s also a quiet, visible signal to yourself that you’re taking care of yourself.
Even swapping out a few things or just knowing what you have can reduce the daily friction of feeding yourself well!
7. Deep Clean One Room and Open the Windows
Pick a room and give it a proper clean. Wipe the surfaces, clear the floor, and then open the windows and let some air in.
It sounds simple, but again, studies suggest that cluttered, closed-in environments can elevate cortisol and increase feelings of stress and overwhelm. But fresh air and a clean, tidy space might just give your nervous system permission to relax.
Once that room is done, light a candle. Sit in it for a minute. Let spring in!
8. Clear Your Calendar of One Thing You’ve Been Dreading
Look at your schedule. Is there something on there (maybe a commitment, a task, or an obligation) that you’ve been pushing to next week, and the week before that, and the week before that?
At the end of the day, not everything on your plate deserves to be there, and carrying the weight of something you’re avoiding is mentally exhausting. Give yourself permission to cancel it, delegate it, or simply take it off the list entirely. Decision fatigue can ultimately wear down our ability to focus, regulate emotions, and make good decisions throughout the day.
The truth is that you don’t have to do everything. And you shouldn’t either.
Related Article: Spring Cleaning Your Schedule: Eliminate Energy-Draining Commitments
Make Room for What Matters
Spring cleaning is about making room for what matters the most. And no, you don’t have to do all of this at once. Pick one, and simply get started. Notice how it feels to set something down, clear something out, or finally deal with the thing you’ve been avoiding. Once you make space, there’s so much more space for opportunities, things, and people you love, and so much more!
Read Next: Feeling Overwhelmed? Here Are 6 Tips You Can Use to Declutter Your Mind
Photo by cottonbro studio
