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A fresh start for the apartment
This year I felt the need for a spring cleaning early on. For me, spring cleaning doesn’t just mean cleaning everything thoroughly. But also that I clear out my cupboards or go through them and sort them out. Also, that I make a kind of inventory, e.g. regarding my wardrobe and plan which pieces I would like to buy this year. It’s like a new beginning for the living space and wardrobe. I haven’t left my wardrobe to chance for a long time, so planning it is an important part of my life.
The theoretical move
This year there is a special feature. At least a theoretical one. I would like to move. Nothing concrete is planned yet and maybe it won’t be until next year. But I know from the experience of the past seven moves that I was never well enough prepared.
When packing, you really notice what and how much you actually own. This inevitably raises the question: “Do you really still need all this?” In my past moves, I always had too much of the things I didn’t really need anymore. My basements were always full of things. I had tons of books and DIY supplies. Far too much clothing and shoes.
Kitchen accessories that I never used and much more. In recent years, I have already sorted out a lot, but the approach was different. I’ve always wondered if I’m actually using things or if I really like having them around me.
This year I will sort out again under a different approach. Namely, with the intention of having to pack all these things at some point for a move. I have decided not to fill more than 10 moving boxes. I only want to take things with me where I really have the feeling: “Yes, I definitely have to take this with me!”. Anything that I think bothers me more that I have to pack it up and transport it from A to B may be able to go sooner before the move is due. And above all, I want to empty my basement before the time comes. Basically, I want to be ready for a move and live as if I could pack up my things and leave at any time within a weekend.
Why all this?
I think we, as a society, tend to accumulate too much stuff. For some, this is certainly not a problem. They can organize all their belongings and feel good about it. Maybe they have more than enough space and the idea that someone else is responsible for all these things after their death doesn’t bother them. But then there are also people who are not good at it. Who are regularly overwhelmed with the organization of their apartment and everything that is in it. Who don’t have enough space and who feel stressed by all the things they are responsible for. I’m definitely one of the latter.
Increased difficulty
For some years now, the terms neurotypical and neurodiverse have been known and established. In general, I’m not a fan of pigeonholing and creating even more pigeonholes into which people are then packed. I don’t think this brings more inclusivity but more division and demarcation.
But I will use the term neurodiverse in this context. I myself am neurodiverse, and have been diagnosed since early childhood. However, almost 30 years ago, there wasn’t too much information about it. And certainly no practical tips. You got the diagnosis and that was basically it. My parents didn’t do anything to help me after that. As a result, they no longer had any understanding for me and even in a school context, no one was interested. It was a stamp and nothing more. At most, I was ashamed of it and tried to behave as “normally” as possible.
It wasn’t until many years later that I began to deal with it seriously. D
to learn about it and to develop and apply strategies that help you as a neurodiverse person in everyday life.
Spring cleaning with ADD/ADHD
But what does all this have to do with a spring cleaning, you ask? All! Someone who has ADHD or ADD, for example, is regularly overwhelmed in everyday life and tends to be in chaos. These people can easily sink into a so-called hyperfocus for short or longer periods of time, be super productive and forget everything else. But the rest of the time, it’s more of a struggle to actually do even the simplest tasks.
In the meantime, I have discovered this fact as a strength for myself. However, this requires some planning. For me, spring cleaning is not just something that I do spontaneously on a weekend. It’s a task that I make as complex and exciting as possible for myself so that I can actually see it through. So I need a reason and a goal for this. Unfortunately, simply saying I’ll clean up is not enough for me.
In my experience, neurodiverse people in particular need more order to “function”, but are naturally more prone to chaos. Which, of course, is a problem. For me, it helps to own as little as possible and only as much as necessary. And to have a permanent place for all these things. Above all, it should also be easily accessible. The motto is: “As little friction as possible”.
Conclusion
My spring cleaning is a necessary reset of my apartment for me. I don’t manage everything every year, or I can’t do everything just in the spring. But I turn the “spring cleaning” into a task that leads to dopamine release. Because I know right from the start that I’m going to feel really good afterwards. On the one hand, because I have been productive, because I have created order and because it will last at least some time. In addition, I can then mentally conclude with it for about a year.
Maybe you’re all already doing that anyway, but if not, maybe you’re planning a really intensive “spring cleaning” this year? Let me know in the comments what you think. To be honest, I’m really looking forward to it over the winter months. It’s like a new beginning for the apartment or house you live in. And it makes it “easier” to start the year.
I wish you a relaxing weekend.
All the love
Christina
“The basis of a healthy order is a large wastebasket.”
Kurt Tucholsky
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About the author
Christina Ernst is founder and CEO of Linen & Quince. She is also a designer, author and real estate expert. She shares her experiences and knowledge not only on our Linen & Quince blog, but also on her personal blog, christinaernst.net , where she writes about financial knowledge, starting a business, real estate knowledge and personal development. She loves interior design, art, antiques, as well as elegant, sustainable and high-quality fashion.
