(This column was originally published April 2 in the April print edition of the Hendersonian.)
We made it! Coming out of the winter months is refreshing for most people. With spring comes the need for wiping out the cobwebs, dust and clutter we did not have time to deal with through the holidays. We also need to look at spring cleaning for our minds, to rejuvenate some positive endeavors and to declutter the old thoughts, habits or negativity we may be carrying.
Things to Consider:
Examine our priorities. What are the things that matter most to us right now? Did we have goals we put off? Do we need to reach out to an old friend? Do we need to let go of negative thoughts? Make some plans. Write it down. Set a plan in place. Then do it!
Set up a to-do list for our thoughts. Perhaps keep a journal as a check in about what the intention is for the day, such as, “Be mindful of no negative thinking…Find the positive of the situation.” At the end of each day, write down the best thing that happened that day. There is always something positive in even the worst situations. Identifying this in the evening may help us shift our way of seeing the world in a healthier way.
Be mindful of negative self-talk. We are usually much harder on ourselves than anyone else. We at times have very toxic conversations with ourselves, such as “I can’t do anything right” or “I’m so stupid.” This can have a tremendous effect on our self-esteem. If we can catch ourselves when we do this and challenge and change that thought, we may be able to have more patience with ourselves and in turn others.
Make time to clean out our physical space. Do we have a place in our home, inside or out, where we feel relaxed and at peace? If not, we need one! When we see clutter and chaos around us, our minds will be overwhelmed with that, causing anxiety and/or depression. Taking time to clean our physical space is a very nurturing way to help find some peace.
Get the household involved. If we are the only person doing the tasks around the house, we may feel resentful to those who do not respect that space or who bring in more chaos. Ask for assistance so that the whole household can all feel they have a space to be. This can even increase the family time we have due to decluttering rooms and having a combined sense of accomplishment as a family.
Find the things that are working and do more of that. Maybe we can begin to tell ourselves we are doing great. This will influence our self-esteem and worth.
Find some ways to be creative. Redo outdoor spaces, do some gardening, detail the vehicle. Being very intentional about the ways you want to show up in your life can help us move forward and stay motivated.
Remember in everything, change is always possible. If we want to create a new mindset, we can. We just need to be willing to do the mental work as well. Mental wellness is a journey; be kind. Learning to reach out for help if we feel stuck can be a great opportunity to get some wonderful plans in motion.
Jennifer Harwood, LCSW, LCAC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, holding licenses in Kentucky and Indiana. She is an EMDR Therapist and works with trauma related disorders. Contact her on jenniferharwoodlcsw.com.
