Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Springtime

Maybe it’s because I got my first dose of the vaccine, or maybe because it feels like this has been the longest winter ever, but I was incredibly grateful for the springlike weather this week.

Spring is a natural time to clean out, to shake off the nesting clutter of winter, (and certainly there is more “nesting clutter” than ever this year). Spring makes you want to throw open the windows and put away the blankets that have accumulated on the arms of the couch, not to mention the magazines, foot cream, coloring books and teacups on the coffee table.

Why not ride the wave? Look around. What accumulated while you were hunkering down that you can now put away or let go of? What tchotchkes look dusty and could be put away, or better yet, given away? Now’s the time to do something about those uncooked beans you bought last March. Tossed the expired, unnecessary and uninspiring.

Maybe you can take advantage of that spring in your step to tackle a project you’ve been meaning to do. Pictures to the framer? Chair to the upholsterer? (Double points if your project also supports local business.)

Seasonal change is also a great time to evaluate your wardrobe. While this year I’d go easy on the “if you didn’t wear it, let it go” rule, there are probably some tees prime for the rag bag and sweaters ready for the drycleaner. Tomorrow, I’m tossing my sneakers in the washing machine with my son’s down jacket. It’s nice to put the jacket away clean, and the shoes could use a little perking up.

It’s amazing what a few sunny days can do. We are still in a pandemic, and I was definitely in need of a little hope in the form of warmth and sunshine. Be like a plant: Take that sunshine and turn it into energy.  We’ve had a long season of dormancy, and now, even if we still can’t rejoin the world in quite the way we want, we can begin by picking up the pieces in our own little corner of the world. After all, spring is all about beginnings.