Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Releasing Mental Clutter to Make Room for Growth
By Oluwadamilola "Dami" Jinadu
Springtime is nature’s great transition. A time characterized by renewal, blossoming, and letting go. Spring is a transitional period in nature, and it serves as an opportunity to allow for transition in our lives. Spring can represent a time of purification, rejuvenation, and healing, and is often suggested as the ideal time for deep cleaning, hence the term and long-standing tradition of “spring cleaning”. What if we were able to give our minds and souls a cleanse, just as we do our spaces? Besides the physical act of cleaning, there are so many benefits to internal decluttering. What does spring cleaning for the soul actually look like?
Cleaning Your Space
Surprise! It turns out that spring cleaning for the mind and soul does involve some actual cleaning. Your environment can often reflect your inner state, and the psychological benefits of a clean space reach far beyond aesthetics. According to some studies, there is a huge connection between our physical environment and mental well-being. Cleaning can be a natural mood boost, increasing dopamine (the brain’s feel-good chemical) levels in the body and creating an overall cathartic effect. So, what better time to get these benefits than during one of the most transitional seasons of the year?
Cleaning Your Gut: The Internal Garden
The quality of what you put into your body can have an impact on your overall well-being. It is important to eat a nutritious diet as it can improve energy, help brain function, and impact your mood. The external can impact the internal, and vice versa. Try to make some small changes in the way you eat to help cleanse the soul. For example, choosing nourishing meals, drinking more water, and being mindful about emotional eating can be small but meaningful steps toward caring for both the body and the soul.
Logging Off
Turn off the phone sometimes. It can be very difficult, especially in the digital age to stay offline. It may feel like the world is moving without you, yet it's okay to log off and unwind. Constant exposure to social media, phone screens, bad news, and never-ending notifications can overload your senses. A mental declutter requires space. Even taking 15–30 minutes away from your phone each day can help calm the mind, improve focus, and create room for rest and self-reflection. Use that time to engage in activities that bring peace, such as reading, journaling, spending time outdoors, praying, meditating, or connecting with loved ones face-to-face.
Prioritizing Rest
A well-rested mind is better equipped to handle stress. When you are rested, it makes a huge difference in not only how you are able to show up in the world, but how you process life’s experiences. Think about how you feel after getting a few hours of sleep versus a full night. Imagine getting a full night of rest, consistently. Consistently prioritizing rest can improve your mood, increase patience, strengthen concentration, and support both your mental and physical health.
Releasing & Letting Go
This means letting go of old thought patterns, chipping away at negative stress loops, and releasing emotional triggers that no longer serve you. Just as you let go of worn-out clothes, or old furniture, the same should go for the things that no longer serve your mind. Letting go involves actively acknowledging and feeling your emotions instead of suppressing them; allowing yourself to fully observe them non-judgmentally so they can pass on their own. Here are some tools that can help in your journey of release:
● Journaling: Processing thoughts and feelings through writing is a great tool to gain clarity and a sense of relief from inner clutter. Try journaling at least once a week and take note of the difference in the lucidity of your mind.
● Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness can help you to become more aware of your inner experiences, thoughts and feelings, while allowing you to stay in the present moment. Even for just a few minutes a day, this practice can make a wonderful impact on your well-being.
● Talking to Someone: Yes, you can clean things up, but you don’t have to do it all alone. Connection is vital for letting go. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or anyone on the A Freeman’s Place Counseling team.
