Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Preparing For Spring

    
Spring is just around the corner. The weather is breaking, the days are longer and you are ready to reorganize your life.

     The best place to start is your home environment. By purging unnecessary items in your home you create spaciousness.  The result is clarity of mind –  a powerful way to attract something new into your life. 

     This can be a daunting process but you don't have to do it all at once. Start with one room or even a closet for each day of the week and before you know it you will have purged your home just in time for the spring season. As you go through each room, keep a bin or laundry basket for items you no longer need. There will be items you will question as to whether or not you want to release them. Take a moment and ask yourself if it is something you have used within the past year, or if it fits your lifestyle and mindset. If you are unable to answer these questions within one minute, then you no longer need it.

     Once you have your laundry bin filled, you'll need to decide how you will dispose of the items. For example, donation, selling, garbage or repurpose. It should be relatively easy to determine which category your items will belong to. For me, I like to donate all my items. I find this approach works best for my schedule. There are many foundations that would love to receive your items. If they are in good condition you can consider the following foundations: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Homeless Shelters, Women's Shelters or your local church. Don't forget pet shelters as they are always looking for towels, blankets or sheets. 

     Once you have purged the unnecessary items from your home, it's time for a good cleaning. Again, take it one day at a time. For example, clean the floors one day, the windows another and bathrooms yet another day. This way you aren't overwhelmed by the cleaning process. It's important to be mindful of the products you use. There are plenty of natural cleaners to choose from that are highly effective while keeping you and your family free of chemical emissions. 

     I like to top off the cleaning process with a final space clearing to lift the energy even more. There are many simple way to achieve this including wafting white sage or spraying essential oils throughout the home. I have a full space clearing ceremony you can follow that is highly effective and fun to do. See more about this clearing technique by clicking here. Scroll down and choose the Mini-Program: Space Clear Your Way to Health and Prosperity.

Outdoors:

     Now that the inside of your home is ready for spring, it's time to take a peak outdoors. Start with a thorough inspection of your yard. Discard broken branches or prune them so they will grow properly. It's also a good idea to test your soil. It's important the PH level is balanced with a good mixture of nutrients. You can do this yourself or higher a professional landscaper. Weed control is another factor to consider. If you are going to use a weed control substance make certain is natural. Amazon has a big variety but it might be nice to support your local garden store. 

     Evaluate your planting beds. Rake old leaves and debris from plant beds and create neat natural edges using an edging tool. Mulching is a good idea and acts two-fold. First, it helps to retain moisture in the soil and secondly it looks aesthetically appealing.

     Cleaning your gutters is essential. I know this is a job that is totally unappealing but you don't want water damage to your house. If you're not up for the task then higher a gutter cleaning service. It's well worth the investment.

     Don't forget the garage! Whether your garage is attached or detached from your home it is still a functional space that needs attention. The garage is like a big, cluttered closet -- you throw in all the unwanted stuff you can't find a home for, then close the door and like magic you think it disappears. The garage requires ergonomic storage containers, shelfs, hooks or bins so you can find items easily when spring and summer arrive. It's never fun tripping over the snow shovel when you are looking for your sprinkler.

     Finally, hose down the outdoor furniture. No need sit on dirt or cobwebs. While you are at it, wash down the deck and clean out any planters. It's amazing how your deck will take on a new look and feel with these simple cleaning measures.

     Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors. The temperature is most comfortable for the body, the daylight is longer giving you more time to get things done, birds are chirping creating a wonderful sound, animals are frolicking about, you are more creative, green leaves return, plants are in bloom to absorb more carbon dioxide and boost mood, it's easier to find fresh produce, you can move your exercise routine outdoors, you can open your windows and get your vitamin D naturally!

Happy Spring!

Mary Jane Kasliner is a feng shui consultant and yoga teacher. She resides in Ocean, NJ. Her website is: www.fengshuiyoganj.com


     

     


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