*updated 4-5-19

*This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Spring is in the air!

Can you feel it?

To me, spring means spring cleaning. A new beginning. A  time to make changes and updates. Cleaning, purging and starting new.

It’s almost like a second chance at New Years Resolution.

What does Spring mean to you?

I am a busy mama of 3 kids. A 10-year-old with autism and ADHD, a busy 5-year-old and a toddler. We have recently moved to the country and we’re still unpacking!

I feel like this whole cleaning and purging part is very fresh in my mind still from that experience. Plus all the craze with Marie Kondo “does this spark joy?”.

Oh my!

I started thinking about what part of our lives as moms need spring cleaning.

I came up with a list of some important things in our life that we come in contact with every day.

Spring Cleaning for the Busy Mom

Tackle one category per day. Or per 2 days. Or maybe even one category per week.

Whatever your schedule allows.

This is not deep cleaning, that’s another post altogether. This is just really quick and simple ways to clean up your life.

Kids School

Kids bring home so much stuff! How do we organize it all?

I confess I’m still learning all of this. But this is super simple and easy to do. I haven’t gone into much detail on organizing my son’s stuff…it’s on my to do list…

-Buy a plastic file storage box. One like the picture below. This one is from Amazon that I found that is similar to the one I have. You can also look in your local Walmart. If you use Rakuten online, you will get 5% back!

Create files for your child’s paperwork.

IEP –

All the IEP’s and any paperwork relating to IEP will go in this file.

Artwork –

Keep what artwork really means something to you and your child. When it gets too big, get the artwork out, take a picture of each piece. Now you can print an artbook with your child’s art. You can use Shutterfly or another photo printing service.

Medical –

This one is not school related but can still be a file in the same file box. Or it can even have its own box and then make files more specific.

Home

There is so much that can be done here! So much cleaning to do. But I’m too busy! LOL

So we will do a fast short version of spring cleaning the house.

Food

Did you start a new way of eating (diet) this new year? How’s that going? Get into your cupboards and fridge. Get rid of anything that does not fit into your way of eating.

Anything expired, that looks expired, that you haven’t touched in forever.

Donate or give away anything that is still good but doesn’t fit into your diet.

Just Things

Take a walk around your home.

If you never noticed it’s there – get rid of it.

If it’s collecting too much dust – get rid of it.

If you don’t like it but kept it for one reason or another – it’s time to get rid of it.

Books

This one was particularly hard for me. I LOVE to read and I love the feel and smell of an actual book. I realized that I need to stop buying and collecting book because I ran out of space to store them!

I bought myself a kindle. I now buy my books there. I’ve decided to donate my books to my niece and local thrift store.

Keep the books that are super special and meaningful to you. Donate the rest.

Closet

Clothes

I think the “experts” say get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a year. Keep the basics and the staples.

Those are great rules.

I’m also not very good at this one. My weight has fluctuated with having 3 kids. I’ve been many different sizes. I have decided to get rid of everything that wasn’t the size I was. I don’t plan on going bigger and I know that I would prefer new clothes for when I’m skinnier. This way also I don’t have to put many of my things into storage while we live with my parents.

Shoes

This one will depend on how many shoes you wear.

Get rid of anything you don’t even remember wearing.

Shoes that are uncomfortable and shoes that are old and dirty, get rid of them too.

Kids shoes on the other hand, especially baby shoes are usually still in great condition when they grow out of them. Pass them down to someone else or donate them so another kid can get great use from them.

Personal Care

Makeup

Cleaning up your makeup bag or makeup counter is important.

Makeup needs to be replaced often. It can collect and harbor bacteria that can be harmful.

I found these rules on https://livingwellmom.com/organize-makeup-drawer/

Here is the short version:

Mascara
Toss it: Every 3 months

Eyeshadow
Toss it: Every two years for powder, once a year for cream

Eyeliner
Toss it: 3-6 months

Foundation
Toss it: Once a year

Concealer
Toss it: 12 to 18 months

Blush & Bronzer
Toss it: Every two years

Lipstick
Toss it: Once a year

Lip Gloss
Toss it: 6 months to one year

Makeup Brushes
Toss it: One to five years

Makeup Sponges
Toss it: At least once a month

Nail Polish
Toss it: After one year

I’ve recently done this. I’ve gotten rid of a bunch of makeup.

Spiritual

Unpleasant and corrosive to your well-being

Get rid of and disconnect yourself from things that are unpleasant and are bothering you.

If when you think of those things and they make you unhappy, they don’t need to be in your life.

Are there shows that you shouldn’t be watching?

Books that are probably not good for you to read?

People

Oh yes, people…

People that are stressing you out and causing you harm. Get them out of your life.

You don’t have to be mean about it. Just slowly let them go. You need less negative people in your life and more positive ones.

 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

We have kids school, home, closet, personal care and spiritual that need spring cleaning. Go through all of them or pick one or a few.

If we let them go and don’t get organized it will become a big mess. I know! I’ve done it! I dream of being perfectly organized and living a minimalist life. But for now, I will stick to this list.

Let’s do spring cleaning together?

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