Happy Spring people! Here in Northwest Ohio it still feels a lot like winter but it’s getting warmer! That being said it’s about time for some spring cleaning, dun dun dun. I know it can be a daunting task to go through the old and deep clean everything but it doesn’t have to be totally awful. Since I am about to start spring cleaning myself I figured I’d share some tips I’ve learned over the years that help me get through it a little easier.
First, it’s a good rule of thumb to go through all of your closets and storage spaces at least once a year. This helps reduce how much stuff you have to go through as well as makes it easier to keep things organized should you need to find something throughout the next year. If you take anything away from this post let it be this: If you haven’t seen/used/worn it since you last did your spring cleaning then pitch it (unless it is an important document or something very sentimental). I can’t stress this enough. Do you really need that old soccer sweatshirt with the worn letters that isn’t even soft anymore? Probably not.
It’s also a good idea to invest in totes. Keeping things in boxes works too, but then you have to put a label on top of the print and every box looks the same so it still makes it hard to find what you are looking for. With totes you can color coordinate so finding what you need is a more efficient task plus they stack more easily and are way less likely to break than a box. They are also way easier to carry or move since they have handles.

Deep cleaning your home is pretty self explanatory. You need to get into all the crevices that haven’t been touched in a year, and if you’re like me and have pets then moving furniture to get under and around it is key to get all the hair that has collected. My best advice for this part of spring cleaning is just to take it day by day. If you set a goal to get one room done or even a couple of tasks a day then it shouldn’t take you more than a couple of weeks to clean everything (unless you have a mansion, which I assume if you do then you probably have a maid to do this for you). It’s my least favorite task when I do spring cleaning but I try to make like Nike and “Just Do It.”

I hope that some of these tips have helped you tackle your spring cleaning this year and set you up for success in the years to come. If you have any tips or tricks that you have found useful in the past please feel free to share! I just want to remind everyone too that if you get this stuff done in the Spring then you can thoroughly enjoy your summer without worrying about the things you need to get done around the house! Good luck!

<3 Ash

Now before you jump down my throat, hear me out. While there are a million reasons to love summer (margs on the beach anyone?), there is also a lot going on which can be stressful. If you’re like me and live in the Midwest, or somewhere that has a change of seasons, you try to pack as much fun in during those precious warmer months as you can. The problem is–when do you relax? Winter may be cold but as long as you know how to layer and don’t mind a little snow it can actually be one of the best times of the year. Continue reading if you’d like to know why.
First, I am a lover of the holiday season. Although the season does start in the fall the cooler weather usually sets in by Thanksgiving and carries throughout Christmas and New years which is the start of winter. Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year and it’s just not complete without lower temps and, of course, snow. That being said there really aren’t any summer holidays that have as much meaning and I see most of them as just an excuse to host a backyard BBQ. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good fourth of July BBQ and fireworks, but it just doesn’t give me the feels like Christmas time does.
Moving on to the coldest and snowiest of the winter months –I’m looking at you February– between January and March we really get some time to relax and take care of ourselves instead of focusing on everything else. January has always been one of my favorite months with New Years feeling like a fresh start and the motivation to try new things and improve things you want to work on in your life. February is a short month and right smack dab in the middle you get Valentines day, or “Galentines” Day if you spend it with your friends. This is a good time to just spread love and hang out with your people that usually doesn’t involve being in a wedding or trying to coordinate with people’s busy summer schedules. Then you have March which is probably the most bi-polar of the months weather-wise. During this month you can start your spring cleaning and start planning your vacations for the year as well as summer concerts etc. If you aren’t an early bird you can also start thinking about what to do with that tax refund.

In the winter I become way more focused on my goals –personal and professional. I spend more time doing things for myself and having relaxing nights in. I usually try to fit in a getaway to get out of the cold for a minute (this year it’s Disney for a long weekend in February.) I go to trivia nights with my friends, cozy up to my boyfriend on cold nights catching up on our Netflix shows and really work on building those relationships and keeping those connections strong. I get reorganized at work and have time to set my career goals as well as how I want to achieve them. I read books I’ve had on the shelf for months but have been to busy to pick up. There’s just so much benefit I get out of the winter months that just impossible to recreate when spring and summer roll around.
Overall, I have a lot of love for summer but winter just warms my soul. While I love all the weddings, outside adventures, travel plans and not freezing my butt off everyday, I really can’t put a price on all of the things I accomplish in the winter that calms me and makes me feel good all around. Plus my love for snow really helps. For you avid summer lovers –I get it, but don’t count winter out! Next time you feel the ache for warmer days cuddle up in your favorite spot, grab a good book and some hot cocoa (spiked with baileys if you’re like me ) and enjoy a little peace before the crazyness.