I\u2019m not a germaphobe by any means, but I love cleanliness. When I clean, I really clean, and I usually won\u2019t stop until the mixed smells of my various cleaning products permeate my house.<\/p>\n
I will fill countless bags of giveaway items to be taken to the local Goodwill. I would describe myself as the opposite of a hoarder, whatever that would be called. And if I\u2019ve just vacuumed the carpets, forget about walking on them. You\u2019re confined to the hardwood floors in the kitchen so as to not mess up the beautiful vacuum lines I\u2019ve so perfectly created.<\/p>\n
Now that spring has sprung, unsprung, and then sprung again around most of the country, I\u2019ve been thinking about my spring-cleaning rituals. It\u2019s the one time of the year where my cleaning standards are socially acceptable, because for some reason, a lot of other people are doing it, too.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know how the tradition of spring-cleaning started. I\u2019m assuming it\u2019s the beautiful weather and the promise of an exciting summer peeking around the corner that makes us want to get our living quarters so organized and ready for whatever will come. We\u2019re cleaning out the gray sludge of winter to prepare for summer.<\/p>\n
This year, though, my spring-cleaning is leading up to something more: a move to Tampa after graduation for a promotion within my company.<\/p>\n
So far, this year has been filled with lots of exciting and life-changing events that have, ultimately, been mentally and emotionally taxing, no matter the positive effects that they will have on my life in the future. Change is hard.<\/p>\n
During the ins and outs of everyday life, it has become easy to forget to take care of my own needs and give myself attention, too. In the midst of cleaning and packing, I\u2019ve realized that spring-cleaning is about so much more than just getting ready for summer. For me, it\u2019s become a symbolic \u201crefresh\u201d button I get to push on my life. As I\u2019m now not only cleaning my closet, but packing it up to move it 100 miles away, I\u2019m extending my spring cleaning to my mind, as well.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, I\u2019m extremely independent and self-sufficient. I moved away from home when I was 16, eager to grow up too quickly, and, I guess, those qualities have naturally resulted. In my career and extracurricular activities, an extroverted personality is required of me, but I\u2019m an introvert at heart and big groups of people make me uncomfortable. Lately though, I\u2019ve found myself relying on others for my source of energy and emotional support more than I\u2019d like to admit.<\/p>\n
When my girlfriend recently told me she felt as though she wasn\u2019t getting enough time to herself between her career and our relationship, it got me thinking. First, though, it hurt my feelings. I didn\u2019t really understand how giving her time to herself, which I perceived to be space away from me, would benefit our relationship. We have a great relationship, so I was just confused.<\/p>\n
I felt like I was being punished for loving her, until I realized that I had been unnaturally clingy \u2013 perhaps because I had forgotten I can make myself happy in ways that others can\u2019t, and I had been pushing to get that happiness from her, instead. And, not surprisingly, it wasn\u2019t working. She didn\u2019t realize she was giving me the wake-up call I had needed for myself, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had the epiphany that if it had been my best friend coming to me, saying she needed more time to herself so she could give more in other aspects of her life, I would tell her to take it in a heartbeat. And that when we feel fulfilled on our own, it enables us to authentically give more in other relationships in our lives!<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve decided to try to go back to the basics. What makes me happy when it\u2019s just me? I had a reality check when I realized that I haven\u2019t read a book from start to finish in about 10 months; cracking open a good book was something I used to crave at the end of a long day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow. How disconnected have I really been from myself?\u201d I thought.<\/p>\n
After some reflection, I added exercising, blogging, and cooking to my list of neglected activities that I\u2019m usually so devout to. I know that it is not my love for these activities that has changed, but the concept of entertaining myself without relying on others for happiness is something I\u2019ve lost sight of.<\/p>\n
Whatever your situation, whether furthering your career, graduating from college, or living for your relationship or kids, don\u2019t forget to remember yourself. This spring, pledge to yourself to clean more than your closet, and press your own \u201creset\u201d button by going back to the basics.<\/p>\n
Do it for yourself, knowing that it will also enhance what you\u2019ve been living for, too. It feels good, I promise.<\/p>\n