Not gonna lie, while growing up, I used to shudder at the thought of doing a massive spring cleaning of my room. I knew it would take more than a day with lots of sweat and tears, and having to let go of things that I’m emotionally attached to… I‘m sure a lot of people can relate.
Now, as a real-life adult doing “adult things,” I look forward to spring cleaning – or as I would call it… my different phases of cleansing. It’s not just limited to the physical state of my place, but also how my body feels on the inside, and how it looks on the outside. Don’t get me wrong, this is not just a reflection of whether I’ve gained weight or not, it has more to do with how I feel my body is doing from the inside out. Who else has this intuitive feeling of being attuned to your body?
Here are my 5 different phases of cleansing:
Phase 1: In the middle of last year, I did a thorough overhaul of my room and all of its contents – which included discarding clothes and all of the things that no longer serve me. I bought and rearranged new furniture in order to accommodate my new aesthetic and align with my new purpose. Of course, I got more plants, rugs, art, and proper lighting. All of which I believe are very necessary! In this process, I’ve learned the harsh realization that part of the fun was assembling all the new furniture alone! Yaaaay me. This was MY “Welcome to America” moment.
Phase 2: My internal health phase – in which I promised that I would dedicate myself to getting stronger and healthier. So, I did a ton of research, scheduled doctor consultations, and got lab tests – all of which led me to purchase the right vitamins and supplements, and how to eat proper foods that will be good for my hormones (considering that I’m a 40-year-old woman who had thyroid and PCOS issues, THIS has been an ongoing challenge for me). Getting the correct balance is definitely a work in progress, but I’m feeling better and learning so much!
Phase 3: MY SKIN. I am now obsessed with the state of my skin. I do know that aging is a gift, and I would also love to approach that with grace… and youthful skin! I even started having my partner join in on my skincare routine – which makes it more fun! The benefits of his skin looking good definitely wouldn’t hurt. I was mortified when I found out that he’s been using Irish Spring on his body and face for yearssss. The horror!!
Phase 4: Sleeping and resting habits. I now acknowledge the value of good and restful sleep. I’m also very conscious of not using my mobile phone at night to make sure I’m ready to sleep by a certain time. REST – how common it’s become for us to deprive ourselves of rest. The worldly concept of thinking that if we’re not actively doing something, we are labeled “lazy” – that is ludicrous. For me, being fatigued has been a big hill that I needed to surpass, especially after complaining to my sister. I told her I felt fatigued and sick all the time, and she told me, “You need to allow and give yourself rest – it’s okay. IT’S OKAY.” Lesson: let’s all please stop the glorification of busyness and “hustle culture.”
Phase 5: CHOOSING ME. Choosing myself has always been a continuous process of learning and unlearning… can you relate? By clearing my life of people, situations, and thoughts that do me no good has helped me so much. It made me realize that so much time and energy is wasted on things that could have been redirected towards something rewarding and fruitful. I do believe that we all probably learn these lessons the hard way. In the end, the lessons we walk away with are always worth the tears and disappointment in order to get to where we are today.
For me, these 5 phases of cleansing are not linear, are in no particular order, and one is not more important than the other. They ebb and flow throughout my day-to-day routines and rituals. Each phase tackles different aspects that lean towards what I feel is important to me at the moment. Now that spring has sprung, I felt a calling to share pieces of my process of growth and rebirth. It’s called “spring cleaning” because spring represents living a better quality of life, and welcomes us into something more vivid and vibrant.
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