Spring Cleaning

Well, it's spring time once again, at least in the south, sorry northern friends.  Days are getting warmer, while nights are staying cooler.  In addition, I have had my windows open for the first time ever, really, which the cats are loving!

I'm getting ready to do my spring cleaning.  Getting out boxes to sort stuff that's laying around the house, getting ready to donate too small or unworn clothing, trash bags for the real trash.  And trying to come up with a new organizational system, since the one I have is clearly not working.  I am also gearing up to finish some unfinished projects, and finding a way to get my new tv on the wall, so my kitchen table can leave the living room, and return to the kitchen.  I also plan to dust every corner, vacuum ceiling fans, and find a way to clean those oh so dusty blinds.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll take the Christmas tree down, as well :o

At school, I am in the process of recycling student work that has been sitting on a shelf since I don't know when, organizing my desk and other belongings, and *gasp* starting to pull stuff together for next year.  I am dusting like crazy, and trying to get everything neat and tidy at the end of each day.  I have discovered I love my job much more when I walk into a neat and clean room, and the students tend to work better, as well.

As if that isn't enough to do, I'm thinking it's time to "spring clean" myself.  It's time to once again think about what I would like to accomplish in the near future, year, and perhaps even five years.  What am I doing to reach my goals, and what more could I try to make these things happen?

My brain has been lacking stimulation lately.  For example, I really miss taking grad school classes.  I miss having my brain full of useless information.  I need to challenge it daily to stay happy, and I haven't had that in 5 months.  My plan is to start taking classes at a community college, just to keep my brain busy.  Better get started with that.  In addition, I need to get back to scrapbooking and sewing.  I also need to use my creative side more, as it calms me more than anything else.

My body is still in need of revamping.  I'm getting there, but I could surely be more dedicated.  I haven't been to the gym in over  two weeks, and I can surely tell.  I have been eating better, but there's still room for improvement.  My short term goal is to get the gym three days per week for the next 2 weeks.  My long term goal is to reach my goal weight and measurements, which should take about 2 months if I commit to the 3 days per week and healthy eating.

Now for the dreaded topic - emotional health.  How do we spring clean our emotional health, and why should we bother?  I'm actually pretty proud of myself to say I've been doing a pretty good job in this area.  I have been careful about who I let into my life, and whether they get to stay.  I have become better at maintaining a gratitude journal, and trying to share my many blessings with others.  I have also been much better about being very careful who I spend my time with.  Not to sound snobby or anything, but I tend to take on the mood of those around me.  Therefore, I have to be very careful to surround myself with generally happy people, so that I can pick that up.

Why bother checking in with our emotional health?  Well, I believe it is truly the foundation of our well-being.  When our emotional health is suffering, so does our physical health.  It's been proven that depressed people can have trouble sleeping, eating issues, and are generally less healthy than non-depressed people.  People who are under a lot of stress or anxiety have the same issue. 

In summary, the point is, it's time to take care of not just our surroundings, but ourselves too.  It's important to remember that in order to be all the things we need to be (moms, dads, husbands, wives, friends, our profession, etc), we first have to take responsibility for ourselves.