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Spring clean your life

'Tis the season for change! From your image and health to your finances and career, we've got tips to help you declutter more than your home.


Nature gets a fresh start every spring, why not people too? No, we’re not talking about cleaning up the house and yard. The season of renewal can inspire us to tackle other areas of our lives as well.

Here are some tips to get you thinking:

Your image

– Freshen up your do. It’s time to stop hiding under winter hats! Whether you go for deep conditioning, a good trim, a new style or a new colour, spring can be a good time to debut a new look.

- Clean out your make-up bag. It isn’t just a change of colour you may be after — it’s time to nix those outdated and expired products. As we transition to warmer weather, it will soon be time to lighten up on the moisturizers and heavy products — and get back into the habit of donning sunscreen.

Another often-overlooked step: give your brushes, clippers and grooming tools a clean too. (For tips on how long to keep products and how often to clean tools, check out Spring clean your beauty routine.)

- Buy some new underwear. Do you include your under things in your seasonal wardrobe clean-out? Bras, underwear and shaping garments can lose their shape and support over time — not to mention bunch up under your clothes. Dressing to suit your body starts with what others can’t see, say experts. Don’t be shy to ask for some expert help in finding the right fit.

- Swap an accessory. A seasonal update doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — think a colourful or trendy accessory like a scarf, purse or statement necklace to bring your neutrals into spring.

Your health

– Clear out your medicine cabinet.  While you’re spring cleaning, go through your cupboards and discard any expired or unneeded medications, vitamins, supplements and first aid supplies. However, make sure they don’t go in the trash or down the drain where they can be a risk to animals and the environment. Instead, take them to your pharmacy or your city’s hazardous waste disposal program.

- Limit or eliminate an unhealthy choice. Don’t forget to clean out those kitchen cupboards too! Heavy fare and comfort food are on the way out this season. As the growing season starts, it will be easier to cut back on less healthy choices — like processed foods or sodas — and add in more fruits and vegetables. (If you have unopened packages of food you no longer plan to eat, consider sharing them with the local food bank.)

- Try a new food. We often view healthy eating as deprivation, but we’re willing to bet there are healthy options at the grocery store you haven’t tried. Treat yourself to that unusual looking piece of fruit or a vegetable you’ve never cooked before. You can find a recipe for just about any ingredient online — plus tips to help you select, store and prepare it.

- Make room for exercise.
Feel like you need to “de-junk” your body too? Healthy eating is only part of the process. When the weather gets nicer, it’s easier to sneak in a little exercise too. (Plus you’ll want to get your body ready for other physical activity like gardening.)  If you haven’t been active in a while, experts recommend starting small — try a 10-15 minute walk each day. (Try our tips to get more exercise back in your routine.)

Your time

– Identify your “time sucks”.
You’ve got a budget for your money, but do you pay attention to your time? If you really want to know where it’s going, try tracking it for a week or more (just as you would track your spending so you can build a better budget.)  Some activities like email, games and TV can take more time than we realize and offer little lasting return.

- Set limits. No, you don’t have to give up those activities! But you can free up some productive time by being more mindful. For instance, if you want to play games or check your email for half an hour before tackling your Saturday morning chores, set your kitchen timer and enjoy.

Likewise, if emails and phone calls distract you, turn off the ringer or notifications for an hour so you can focus.

- Control your commitments. Find yourself saying yes out of obligation or fear you’ll be missing out? Think about your own goals and priorities, and ask yourself why you feel pressured to say yes to more work or yet another commitment. Make this the season you master the art of saying no – like by making “let me think about it” your default answer. “Yes” will mean more if you aren’t always saying it.

- Target procrastination. Tired of lofty goals with little follow through? Figure out what’s holding you back and find ways to beat procrastination. For instance, break big goals into smaller steps and reward yourself along the way. Try adding a little novelty to familiar tasks — like doing something with your non-dominant hand — or remind yourself why chores are relevant. (For example, de-cluttering your home provides a more peaceful and welcoming atmosphere for your family and guests.)

Your career

– Clean your workspace.
You clean your home, but what about your office? Carve out an hour or two — preferably before or after work when there are fewer distractions — for some tidy-up time. Catch up on your filing, clean up your inbox and banish clutter from your workspace.  Don’t forget to give everything a wipe-down too — especially your keyboard, phone and other commonly touched surfaces that can harbour germs.

- Clean up your social media accounts. Your present and future employers may be watching, not to mention your colleagues and clients. With recent changes in privacy policy and features on major sites like Facebook and Google, experts warn to double check your privacy settings and clear our the digital clutter.

- Take stock of your career. Feeling ambitious – or perhaps a little restless? It may be time to try something new, be it angling for a promotion, switching jobs or perhaps switching careers. Experts say now is a good time to think about where you are in your career and ask if you’re on track for the next step. Are you doing something you’re passionate about?  Are you gaining the right skills and expertise to get ahead?

- Update your resume and portfolio. You don’t have to be on the job hunt to keep your information fresh — in fact, it’s easier if you aren’t facing the pressure. Clear out old information and update your skills and responsibilities. Make sure your portfolio has your latest work and best accomplishments, and clear out the clutter of old exemplars.

Your money

– Check the state of your regular expenses.
Tax season makes for a good end-of-year review — and a good excuse to check on your spending. Are you paying too much for insurance or paying for subscriptions you don’t use? When you find savings, re-route the money to a savings account instead.

- Update your budget. Planning on some travel this season, or need some new clothes?  While the ideal budget should consider the year as a whole, we know it’s often necessary to make changes as we go along. Now’s the time to make a few tweaks so you can enjoy summer without overspending.

- De-clutter your filing cabinets. It’s time to get out the paper shredder! Some documents you need to hold on to forever — like birth certificates, employment records and deeds — but you may be storing papers you don’t need. For example, recycle old insurance policies, receipts for products past their warranty, manuals for products you no longer own and tax information that’s eight or more years old.

- Clean up your will. When was the last time you updated your estate? Let the spirit of renewal prompt you to review your plans — especially if your or your family’s circumstances have changed. For example, you may no longer need worry about minor children, and it may be time to appoint an adult child as power of attorney when necessary.

In addition, experts warn the best time to think about your future care and a living will is before they become necessary. We know it is hard, but there are many opportunities coming up this season to have “the talk” with your loved ones after family gatherings.

Sounds like a lot to tackle at once? Don’t worry, this isn’t a to-do list — the tips are meant to get you thinking. Start small with one or two changes to make your life better this season, and build on that momentum in the future.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ digitalskillet

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