The calendar says, ‘spring has sprung’ – although many of us are questioning the season because of below normal temperatures or not so average weather conditions.
When spring is in the air and the winter blues are behind us, we often find ourselves reflecting on new beginnings. With cherry blossoms in bloom and daffodils rising from the ground, thoughts of spring cleaning emerge – tossing the old and welcoming the new.
What does ‘spring cleaning’ mean to you? Is it cleaning out closets and organizing drawers, preparing yards and gardens, a combination of the two or none of the above?
Typically after the holiday season, I become restless – especially when the snow is deep and the temperatures are too cold to venture outdoors. By late January, I’m going through the house one room at a time, filling boxes or garbage bags, throwing out everything that makes me think, ‘clutter.’
Is there more to ‘spring cleaning’ than the traditional routine described above?
Recently, during a follow-up visit with one of my physicians, I mentioned my hands were more swollen and sore than normal and I’d been sleeping with ice packs for relief. We concluded it was probably a result of my obsession of getting rid of the old to make room for the new.
However, instead of moving on to another subject, I was very surprised when my doctor asked the following question, “Do you spring clean your mind as often as you do your house?”
She explained the importance of sorting thoughts, addressing concerns and eliminating the issues that serve no purpose or are tucked away. As I did a quick inventory of the lists that have accumulated in my head over time, it occurred to me, spring cleaning ‘myself’ was long over due!
I’ve not yet figured out what to do or how to start, but the more I think about it, I’m convinced it’s a necessary chore – and more beneficial to my overall well-being than chasing dust bunnies and sorting my sock draw.
Are you an annual spring cleaner? Do you clear your mind as much as you clean your house? If so, how have you benefited? What suggestions would you give to others?
Perhaps that's the same way with life. My life with Arthur is all about sorting through the clutter, mostly the emotional clutter that comes along with the pain and loss. A bad day, hell, a bad month, will pass and in my head, I tell myself I just have to hold on and ride the wave out. It's the voices and the ghosts in my head that need to be dealt with, exorcised. The negative self-images, the unspoken stereotypes that even I, a person with a disability, carry about disability.
After spending a wonderful weekend with others with arthritis at the 4th annual national Arthritis Introspective Gathering, I have spent the past few days clearing out the clutter in my mind, those negagtive self-images, and replacing them with the beautiful images of the women I spent time with; beautiful, sexy, spunky women who also have crooked hands and swollen knees, misshapen toes and recessed chins...yet we all had well manicured feet and wore sassy sandals, we still wore skirts. We danced, we talked about sex and the best way to pick up a quarter when you can't bend over. Now as I reflect on the weekend, I am sweeping away the cobwebs of self-doubt that have accumulated after a sore, stiff winter and wiping the dust from the mirror so I can see my own shining refection and I am smiling as the days grow warmer, the sun shines longer and one more room in my mind is organized.
Now I say "The pain will always be there, but it's not always severe", "I'm not useless and there are plenty of things I CAN do". I've even managed to memorize a few calming and reassuring bible verses.
As far as spring cleaning my house, I started with my closet last weekend and plan to finish this weekend. Feels great to donate away some of those things that "I might wear next year"!
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