Spring Cleaning My Life

The first day of spring was March 20. This season change is synonymous with spring cleaning. However, spring cleaning isn’t just for your closets. I read somewhere that spring is the perfect time to recreate ourselves and blossom into the potential we envision for our lives. That’s pretty powerful. I know most people make their resolutions for the year in January, but I have decided that this spring I’m going to clean myself up – renew my mind and soul.

Spring Cleaning To-Do List

• To declutter is to de-stress.  I know that this post is supposed to be about spring cleaning life, but traditional spring cleaning is important as well.  A beautiful, clean living space is inspiring and it eliminates stress. I’ve looked up some natural DIY cleaning products that I’m making and I’m going to thoroughly clean my apartment, top to bottom. I’ve decided to feng shui my living space by my rearranging my living room and changing up the color scheme. I’ve also planned out a gallery wall with inspiring pictures. I want the space I live in to energize me and stimulate my creativity. I also plan to go through all of my clothes and give away everything that doesn’t fit.
• Getting rid of clothes. Here’s what I think: clothes are unfortunately tied to self-esteem. There’s nothing wrong with holding on to a pair of jeans you want to fit in again, but realistically you have to ask yourself why you’re holding on to items that you can’t wear. For example, I have a few bodycon dresses I used to wear out to Five Points back in undergrad.  When I put them on now there are dimples in places that were not visible previously. Why am I holding on to them? I am not as small as I was four years ago. Also, I’m pretty sure I’m almost to the point where bodycon dresses are not an acceptable outfit to go out in. I’m declaring to myself right now as I type, that I’m ok with not ever being 110 pounds again. I don’t need to be! My weight does not correlate with happiness or self-confidence. My only concern should be is becoming healthier.
• Being a healthier me. No, I’m not going on a diet.  Would I like to lose a few pounds? Sure. I went from dancing every day for a minimum of three hours a day in high school, to being a very active college and graduate student – taking dance classes and walking to classes on humongous campuses in famously hot weather. I could eat whatever I wanted and I would dance/walk it off.  Now I sit at a desk for 60+ hours a week and my choice to go to Wendy’s and McDonald’s for lunch just sits in my thighs.  So I’ve decided to make healthier decisions when it comes to food. Will I still eat a few slices of Dominoes’ pizza… absolutely.  However, if you’ve been following me on Instagram (do it, you know you want to), you’ve seen I’ve ventured into the world of meal prepping. I’m picking some delicious yet healthy options to eat during the week. Meal prepping helps me avoid those lunch time trips to Burger King. I’ve also vowed to experiment with foods I’ve never tasted, try new recipes, and to drink more water. Did you know eating healthy foods can actually improve our happiness.
• Being a happier me. I’m by no means, unhappy. I think sometimes I just let myself get overwhelmed with work or this vision I had of my career. In my head, I thought I would go get my master’s degree and immediately start working at a PR firm where I would travel across the country dazzling clients with amazing strategic plans. FYI: My other dream was to be a script writer for a soap opera. Hence, my lofty post-graduation dream. Reality: I’m a slightly underpaid media relations specialist, who spends her day chained to a desk, looking out of the window across the hall. I am doing some amazing work on important health issues and there are days that are so fulfilling. Then someone posts a picture on Instagram of their weekly jet set to our nation’s capital and subsequent flight to LA with the hashtag #worklife. Commence the eye-rollling. As Ace mentioned in her last post (Food for Thought), we attended a lunch and learn with some inspiring speakers. One of my main takeaways: Do not to judge yourself on the accomplishments of others. I needed to hear that. Why am I looking at someone else’s career journey as a path for my own? I may not be where I thought I would be, but I’m in a great place. I’m a 25-year- old with a master’s degree. I had multiple job offers out of both undergrad and graduate school. My current employer is giving me opportunities to grow and take on additional responsibilities. Very soon, I’ll be taking classes for a new certificate in social media and my company is paying for my tuition. Outside of work, I have so much to be happy about and thankful for: I have an amazing, supportive family, weirdly awesome friends, a roof over my head, a full pantry, a super cute puppy, and good health. That’s a good life.
• Dust off my talents. One of my friends tagged me in this picture last week and it could not have come at a better time. This is sooo true. I may not always be a ballerina, but I’ll always be a dancer. I’m going to be honest with myself. My schedule is crazy and it’s just not possible for me to take three dance classes a week to get me back to the point where I used to be. Not unless one of you fabulous readers have discovered a way to add a few hours in the day.  However, I am going to make time to immerse myself in dance. I will try to take a few classes regularly and I am going to start seeing some of the productions of the amazing dance companies here in Atlanta. Dance has always made me feel better. No matter what kind of horrible day I had, some good choreography could erase it all. It’s time to freshen up my tap shoes and use some syncopated beats to put a smile on my face.
• Straighten my finances. If only I could tell 18-year-old Donni to step away from the credit card application. On top of credit cards and student loans, I’m vowing to get rid of lifestyle clutter. Every month, I sit down and make a budget. I actually stick to it, but I have some items I can trim down. I’m talking to you Starbucks. Y’all I actually budget $30 a month for Starbucks. That’s $360 a year for coffee. That’s money I could add to my savings or invest. Moving forward, I will assess some areas that I can cut down and come up with a plan to be debt free.
• Clean-up my relationships. I think this one is pretty much complete.  However, I added it because in general I think it can’t hurt to be reminded of the importance of ridding ourselves of any toxic relationships in our lives. Clean house on those “friends” that bring you down.  I have had let go of a few people that I thought I would be friends with until I was old and gray because of the negativity they brought into my life. I’ve also had to learn to let go of old relationships. It didn’t work for a reason. Y’all the annual happy birthday text or Instagram like isn’t worth the drama.

As I work on my to-do list, I’ll share my progress and any tips I think might be beneficial for others. Also, I’d love to hear some of the ways you want to spring clean your life.