Much like when we do spring cleaning, honest introspection will inevitably bring all of us to some common realizations. When we reflect on our physical health, we resolve to eat responsibly and exercise regularly. When we reflect on our mental well-being, we resolve not to dwell on failure and missed opportunities, but instead focus on lessons learned. If we are appropriately self-aware, we may think about our character, decency, integrity, honesty and selflessness. We may become disheartened by thoughts of those moments when we considered what was good for ourselves before thinking about what might be good for others. Our failures may inspire us to want to change and to set loftier goals.
Just as in spring cleaning, self-spring cleaning requires us first to figure out what we will ‘throw out’. It may be unhealthy habits, toxic thoughts, or general negativity.
Though this is easy to list, it is harder to do. There may also be things that you cannot realistically ‘throw out’, but you need to change or adapt. However, unlike in spring cleaning, which is just about physical retention, self-spring cleaning requires a more honest and self-reflective approach which means you need to chart a course to reach your character goals.
I have often thought to myself, “Sometimes, I get angry pretty quickly” and “I need to understand the other person’s perspective.” But then what? Am I willing to heed the lessons taught by my daughter’s favourite show, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, so that I calm down before I say something regretful? “When you feel so mad, and you wanna roar, take a deep breath and count to four.” Or am I willing to learn and listen to others’ perspectives and thoughts with an open mind and a willingness to accept their views before imposing mine? So, there is a need to remove or change something within. But without a game plan, it’s no different from purchasing a three-year gym membership and then never going.
As you go through your belongings and throw things out, you start to see a bit of the fruit of your efforts. You realize how many unnecessary things you have held on to. However, it isn’t until you organize what remains that your efforts are fully realized. In your home, the things you need most frequently or are most important are at the forefront, while that which is used rarely ends up in the attic – often to be forgotten.
Self-spring cleaning requires the same decluttering and organization process. Identify your most positive habits and attributes, and keep them at the forefront of your mind and psyche. Likewise, those characteristics which you want to improve upon and imbibe into your life should also be near at hand. As for those traits you may need once in a while, you can keep them boxed up. After organizing your house during spring cleaning, we look around every day and see that things are where they belong, and if they are not, we try to put them back in their proper place.
In self-spring cleaning, the organization and placement occur in your mind. Take a few minutes out of your day to introspect on whether the characteristics you want to define yourself are exhibited in all of your actions, and did the ones you want to keep boxed up somehow escape the attic.
A small aside – when going through this process of self-spring cleaning, it is essential to always keep in mind that the goals and path came from within you and are only for you. Be inspired by others, but do not compare yourself to others. Work with others to reach new heights, but do not condition your progress on their success and their plans.
The Dalai Lama warned of this type of misguided thinking when he said, “The goal (of introspection) is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.”
It is undoubtedly true that personal self-spring cleaning is a lot harder, more time-consuming and requires an entirely different level of discipline than spring cleaning at home. Today’s character decisions will not produce a ‘new us’ tomorrow. It is easy to throw away ten pieces of clothing in ten minutes, but to change ten things about ourselves may take ten weeks, ten months, ten years, or even longer. However, through daily or frequent introspection, we will be able to minimize our mental, emotional and spiritual clutter and stay on track with the commitments we make to ourselves when self-spring cleaning.
As Swami Vivekanand said, “Talk to yourself once in a day; otherwise, you may miss meeting an intelligent person in this world.” Luckily, I met that person the other day, and he warned me not to mention the vase.