Just as our houses need a good spring cleaning, so do our minds. It’s always beneficial to let go of the things that no longer serve you – physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is a great time to spring clean your mental health by shedding negative thoughts and emotions to be happier.
Let’s take a moment and ask ourselves: What is something that is no longer serving you?
It could be something physically. It could be something mentally. It could be something emotionally. What is something you wish to let go? What’s dragging you down emotionally? What is something you would like to change? Really think about it. Pay attention to what keeps you up at night or behaviors you’d like to change. What needs to go in order for you to be happier? Now is the time to make that change!
Now, let’s think about some habits you want to keep. Remind yourself that you have wonderful practices that support your mental well-being. Let’s acknowledge them and purposefully continue doing and thinking in ways that promote emotional health.
Lastly, what is missing? What are some hobbies and habits that would increase your emotional well-being and mental health? Do you want to exercise more? Start journaling? Make new friends? What aligns with your goals? Take some time to think about this and jot down a few ideas.
One Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill that really helps with mindful spring cleaning is noticing and accepting your feelings.
Feelings are just feelings. Thoughts are just thoughts. None are better or worse than others. Feelings and thoughts provide us valuable information, but they don’t control us. Take some time to ride the wave of your emotions and remember that it always passes.
The most important thing to remember about mindful spring cleaning is that you need to gain awareness of your feelings and accept them without judging them as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
With these techniques, we give the mind an opportunity to let go of what isn’t serving you, so you can start the season with a clean slate physically, mentally, and emotionally. Happy cleaning!
“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.” – Osho, Indian Philosopher
