Ep. 93: Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Embracing Renewal and Mindful Growth

Spring is in the air, and with it comes the promise of a fresh start. Join us as we guide you through a transformative spring cleaning experience that's about more than just dusting off shelves—it's about refreshing your spirit. We're riding the wave of enthusiasm from our previous spring cleaning hit to bring you even more inventive ways to organize your life, from the trunk of your car to your cozy cotton overalls. Imagine the sense of renewal that comes with a decluttered space and a decluttered mind, and we're here to make it happen, one soothing soundtrack and aromatic spritz at a time.

We've all been there—the cluttered closet, the overflowing junk drawer, the holiday decorations that seem to multiply every year. But have you ever considered the power of a mindful clean-up? This episode takes you through the steps of turning the mundane task of cleaning into a serene ritual. We'll show you how to curate your possessions and let go of the excess in a way that's gradual and gentle on the soul. It's not just about making room in your closet; it's about making room in your life for new experiences and joys. And don't forget your car and digital spaces—these too deserve a springtime spruce-up!

As we explore the connections between clean spaces and midlife growth, we invite you to consider how this season of renewal can impact your personal journey. Transform and transcend the everyday with strategies that promote not just a clean environment but a clear mind. Join us as we embrace the vibrant energy of spring, bringing the outdoors inside and creating sanctuaries in our homes and hearts. Whether you're donning your favorite cotton overalls or simply sipping tea, let's embark on a path to clarity and growth together. Get ready to feel refreshed, inside and out, as spring cleaning takes on a whole new meaning.

Obsessions:
Tish: trunk organizer     
Car Trash Can    Car Seat Gap Filler  Cleaning Gel
Insurance/Registration Folder
Ellen: Overall with pockets

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:21

Welcome back to the Positively Midlife Podcast. You know, as spring approaches, it is the perfect time to rejuvenate not just our homes but also our spirits, and in this episode we'll explore some unconventional spring cleaning ideas to help you not only just refresh your space, but also to embrace this new season of life.

Speaker 2: 0:46

You know Tish, last year we aired an episode dedicated to spring cleaning. That emerged as one of the standout favorite episodes of the year and that really took me by surprise. The concept of spring cleaning, though it really resonates with me and it's starting to be lighter out and winter seems to be getting further back I find myself eagerly embracing the opportunity to kind of infuse my life with all of the essence of spring floral you know all of it, ready to clear my space for new beginnings and fresh perspectives.

Speaker 1: 1:24

I think that's why people are so taken by this idea of like the spring cleaning, because it's just this fresh start idea. But this year our spring cleaning episode is going to take a very exciting turn. We're going to delve into four core topics, each from a fresh perspective and an innovative approach.

Speaker 2: 1:45

I can't wait and I have to say, one of the reasons I know that you and I like spring is we both have spring birthdays. There you go.

Speaker 1: 1:55

We got to start off the way.

Speaker 2: 1:56

Right. That's right, all right, but before we jump into these new twists on spring cleaning, let's get to obsessions. What do you got for me this week, tish?

Speaker 1: 2:07

You know, one of the areas that we're going to talk about spring cleaning is our cars. If you don't think about your car for spring cleaning and I'm in my car a lot so it can get very disheveled and stuff all over the place. So I am committed to spring cleaning my car and organizing, and there's some amazing organizing things that I want to share and we're going to put the links for it. But one of the ones for the trunk that I really like has all these different compartments and it also has space on the sides to put things, because I have boxes right now and it's just everything's in a jumble and I can't find anything. And what is also really nice, it has a lid on it so we can keep things clean. It can also keep things hidden from people peering in your car and maybe wanting to break in or whatever.

Speaker 1: 3:00

But I'm not going to start to stop just with the trunk. I want to get a good trash can, because I'm always having trash everywhere. So I want it that it's going to be behind the head seat, the headrest of the passenger seat, so I can just stretch my arm and put stuff in. But this trash can is so cool because it has a lift out container so you can lift it out, that it's like a stiff container. So if there's spills or drips or you can easily clean it and put it back. So you don't have to take the whole thing apart to do that. You can just pull out this insert.

Speaker 1: 3:38

And it also has again space on the side to put maybe wet wipes or things like that hand sanitizers. And it also has a space for tissues. So I'm going to have that. I'm going to put the ones in between the seats so I drop things down the seats all the time. I went crazy the other day. I dropped my work cell phone down there and literally had to pull the car over because I couldn't get to where it was. So the ones that kind of sit in between the seat and the console so you have special places to put your cell phones. So I'm going to do a whole overall on my car. So that's my obsession.

Speaker 2: 4:22

I love that. Only somebody who's spending hours a day in their car can know all these things, who has not dropped their phone in what I call the black hole between the center console and your seat and had to pull over and you have to actually go in the back seat to go under the seat to get the phone. So I'm going to be really excited to see what those are. That's happened to me many a times.

Speaker 1: 4:50

What about you, Ellen? What is your obsession?

Speaker 2: 4:54

Well, my obsession are just the cutest pair of loose fitting cotton bib overalls for the spring. Just, you can wear these. They come in about 20 colors and I have to say the light pink is so cute with just a little white tee or, if it's hot, a white tank. They have pockets and they have wide legs. You cannot find anything more comfortable than this wide leg set of bib overalls.

Speaker 1: 5:30

I saw a picture of them and I absolutely love them. I think they're perfect. You can go long sleeve, short sleeve, you can even do a tank when it starts to get warmer out, great layering piece. And again, especially those days where you're just like I don't want something tight fitting around, but it still makes you look put together. That's what I loved about them.

Speaker 2: 5:51

So love those.

Speaker 1: 5:52

Going to put it on my wish list.

Speaker 2: 5:55

I'm telling you, they're made out of like a cotton linen and it's the type of thing that doesn't have to be ironed, so it looks better, even a little rumpled. So these are so cute. The Flyga Women Cotton Bib Overalls.

Speaker 1: 6:14

Love it. Okay, so let's get into it, ellen. Start with decluttering. That's my favorite thing. To start with Start with decluttering.

Speaker 2: 6:24

With a twist. You know what Kish? You're speaking my language here because you know I love to declutter. I don't know if I love to declutter as much as I love talking about decluttering, but decluttering definitely lightens the emotional load that we have. I find when I've decluttered I feel better and for me a close are a big problem. You know, when I lived on the East Coast I loved the seasonal closet changeover where you really kind of had two or three wardrobes that you took out.

Speaker 2: 6:59

You got your sweaters out on September 1st and your white pants after Memorial Day, but for me, a lot of things are year round here in Northern California, so I hang on to everything. So many sizes too, what about you?

Speaker 1: 7:16

You know I go through this, I think I feel like every season and I don't get to the root of the problem. I still have too much stuff. I'm not wearing all of it. It's always an issue. I can't see what I have, I can't see what I need Packed my, you know, with all kinds of different Sizes and stuff. But you know, midlife is really the best time to let go of a lot of these Pastiles and embrace the present. You know, I was kidding with somebody. They were talking about how they were doing a purge of their clauses and stuff like that, and I said Just don't tell me that you had a Laura Ashley dress in there and she stopped dead, or an attraction she goes. I did. I go oh my gosh. So you can imagine how I'm what you need of a closet clean out, and she was when she had a Laura Ashley dress.

Speaker 1: 8:17

But you know, a lot of times they talk about like you know how did how to do your clothes, you know when you put a pile of. You know the things that you're gonna keep, the things that you're going to throw away, the things that you're going to donate, right, but I'm gonna say remove all the clothes from your closet and put them into these categories. Put a category with your clothes and shoes that I Love this, these are the I loved pile, right, and then put a pile of it's okay. You know what I mean, that you know one way or the other, it's okay pile and then I haven't worn this in over a year pile. And Then you're going to take those three piles and you're gonna put some back in your closet and you're gonna put some in the pile that it needs to go out the door. Whether it's donate or throw out doesn't matter.

Speaker 1: 9:12

But what I want you to do is look at the I love it pile, okay, and start with that. You know. Figure out what are the core pieces that you still need. You know we always talk about that capsule wardrobe and stuff like that Mm-hmm. And then maybe, if you kind of reward yourself with doing this closet edit, that you buy a really good you know piece like that for the core piece, but something you really love, then I want you to go through the pile of it's okay and then be really honest with yourself. Does it look good on me? Does it fit me? Is it still in style? And if the answer is no to any of those. It goes to the out the door pile.

Speaker 1: 10:00

So, I think if you start with the I love it pile and the idea is to edit down how much you have, so most of your closet is I love it.

Speaker 2: 10:11

If not, all right, right, right that would. That would be a great thing. I love this idea of rewarding yourself To one great quality, essential and I do think this is a different twist to tish on a lot of the things We've talked about. You know having a core. You know your core wardrobe, your your pieces, or Having those five outfits that you know you can go out with on a date to work to many different things. For me, part of it has always been I'm afraid that I'll regret Getting rid of something you know and I know that. Why would I regret something I haven't worn in 14 years? It?

Speaker 1: 11:03

doesn't make sense. Yeah, maybe you just put it in one of those. You know those zip bags where you suck out all the air and slide it under your bed and any year, if you haven't had to open that bag, yeah, just take that bag and it goes out too.

Speaker 2: 11:20

So I do love it. We have way too many things and I do think, decluttering your clothes with this love it. It's okay, haven't worn it. I'm gonna try it this weekend. I'll report back in.

Speaker 1: 11:36

Okay, definitely report back in. Yeah, and I think it's gonna be easier to let go of things because you've already said I love these, so they're not going anywhere. These you've already admitted they're just okay.

Speaker 2: 11:49

Right, right. I know we have a lot of just okay in our life and we don't need it.

Speaker 1: 11:55

We don't need it, we need that, just I love it Exactly.

Speaker 2: 11:59

Okay, so I'm gonna move us on and talk about a different way of spring cleaning, and I'm gonna start by asking you Tish, when was the last time you cleaned out your makeup and personal products kind of under the sink areas?

Speaker 1: 12:15

in your house. You know I did that about six months ago, but I have to admit I wasn't brutal enough. So, all these makeups I saved because I might use that one color in this palette of 15, I might use one. I haven't touched any of them, and so I need to edit more.

Speaker 2: 12:41

Well, I think that in the spring this is a really great clean out and again, this isn't a clean out that you're gonna have bags and bags to go to the goodwill. But doing a makeup and personal product refresh I think is amazing. And as we're talking, I know I have some very old mascaras in there. Just definitely throw things out. You know, todaycom recommended that you replace mascara every three months, lipsticks every year and eyeliner every three to six months, even though pencils last longer. So I think you can go a little longer with pencils, but there are some ballparks of how long you should keep things.

Speaker 1: 13:25

So, like I can tell you, I have mascaras that are probably sitting there for three years as opposed to three months, but this is true. This is a hygiene thing too. Like you can get infections, you can create issues for your complexion by using stuff that's really old and, let's face it, if you're one that uses mascara every day, you need one after three months.

Speaker 2: 13:52

Yeah, you totally do, and one thing I've noticed too is that it's great to go and take a look at some of the new lipstick colors. I love my MAC lipstick. You can see what's new and again really take a look at what you have. I also have saved some of those travel kits from airplanes for years that are like half used, half out of there and really take a look deep underneath.

Speaker 2: 14:20

I mean I have half used bottles of hairspray, right and dry shampoo and all sorts of things, but I think that the mascara and your primer, your foundation, really take a look at those. It's a great way to really spring clean and I feel happy when I go to my makeup bag.

Speaker 1: 14:42

I have some new makeup, all right one other question Primers and foundations those you can have up to two years, so I did wanna say that. And then powder products like blushes and eyeshadows are typically the same, so they're gonna last you a little bit longer. But these are some of the recommendations from a New York based dermatologist, joshua, I don't know.

Speaker 2: 15:08

Zinkner, zycner, zycner, zycner.

Speaker 1: 15:12

So thank you, Joshua, for giving us those kind of guidelines of just get brutal with yourself, just get rid of it.

Speaker 2: 15:22

All right, just one other personal product, edit, I'm gonna bring up is your toothbrush and how frequently you should change your toothbrush.

Speaker 2: 15:31

The average person should be swapping out a new toothbrush or new toothbrush head, because I use a Sonicare every three to four months and that is just widely known in dental circles. But we have Dr Sienna Palmer from Santa Monica who said that this is recommended to ensure that the bristles are still affected. But bacteria and you know what. This is something I do a lot If I have a bad cold or the flu or something I'm always changing that toothbrush head, I think.

Speaker 2: 16:05

Just think of it as a thing to change for the seasons. So I really like this one Tish. This twist on personal product edit speaks to me.

Speaker 1: 16:16

But I like how you're lining it up with the change of the seasons, because it's easy to forget, like until my toothbrush gets like crazy, like it's like you know, all the bristles are like crazy apart and I'm like, hey, maybe I need a new one, like every season, when you're going into spring, when you're going into summer. Great to go ahead and get that changed. I like that.

Speaker 2: 16:38

Yeah, yeah so.

Speaker 1: 16:40

I'd like to move on to kind of a mindful home refresh. Okay, and this is an idea of our exploring the concept of mindful cleaning and being present in a moment Can turn cleaning into sort of a meditative practice, right, okay, have you ever heard about this?

Speaker 2: 16:59

You know, I haven't, because I am one not good at cleaning and number two, I don't like.

Speaker 1: 17:06

Oh, they say that you should. They suggest that you should incorporate Aromatherapy, playing very calming music while you're cleaning, to create this peaceful environment in your home. It's like making your home clean and Zen at the same time, right.

Speaker 2: 17:24

I do like that and I think when you give yourself time to clean, not as an afterthought, but saying that it's the spring cleaning I used to love in back east again, people would take off storm windows and they would you know, my grandmother would take rugs up and turn over mattresses and that kind of, you know, preparing for the next season, but not seeing it as a chore to put together a playlist I really like that idea, you know and to put on some great Aromatherapy or a candle. My kids have those, those little machines that Brits the you know, I like you know those things I think it could be really good.

Speaker 2: 18:09

So for me, I think what I'm taking away from this is changing my mindset about cleaning.

Speaker 1: 18:18

And I, and it's a calming thing it's not this frantic getting through it. Yes, right, right, and, like the other, the other thing I think that would really help for this mindful home refresh is Holiday decoration at it, Okay and I think a good place to start with this one is not the Christmas, because that's probably the which you have most of, but let's start with the Easter.

Speaker 1: 18:43

You know we're going into Easter season. This is a good place to start, and I want, I want you to commit to yourself To start paring down on these holiday decorations, right? Maybe give some of the special ones to your kids, donate the rest, but just keep a couple that are really precious to you and start Getting rid of the abundance that you're really not using anyway.

Speaker 2: 19:12

How many plastic tubs can you have in your garage? Tish full day decor. Now I'm going to admit that One of my obsessions from last year with these cute little turkey votive holders I don't know if you remember them.

Speaker 1: 19:28

Yes, I do. I.

Speaker 2: 19:30

I still have them out. I somehow have put in my mind that they're season list. They got to go, it is.

Speaker 1: 19:39

But I think I think holiday decorations are important because it it visually changes your space, it makes you happy, you're celebrating different type of holidays or whatever, or seasonal things. So I think it's good to have holiday decorations, but not to the abundance that we had when the kids were little.

Speaker 2: 20:02

Yeah, yeah, I mean, I'm just putting those cute votives in the drawer, I'm putting them away in the drawer, I'm getting them out of the house right. I have to say there are a lot for Halloween, 4th of July, easter, you know. There are a lot of things that I can really call and give to my boys and also Just give away let somebody else use them.

Speaker 1: 20:27

So I like remember when we had our guest star Hanson and she said you offer him to the kids. If they decline, then just get rid of them. Stop being the holder of all these things that your kids may or may not want. Later, you know, give them the opportunity and then move it on out.

Speaker 2: 20:48

I Really like that idea. It's true, Sometimes I feel like I am a storage unit for that. Okay. So any Anything else we want to talk about around the mindful home refresh before we move on to the Unusual areas to spring clean-tish.

Speaker 1: 21:07

I think, I think you know it's just whatever in your space is Is giving you that you feel is too abundant. Maybe you have a bazillion knickknacks. Start slowly pairing down. You don't have to go through and just get rid of everything, but just start slowly pairing down on what you have to make your home that more calm and precious place.

Speaker 2: 21:38

Yeah, I did hear of this other way of doing it, which would be to set like a bag by the front door and in my mind it was one of those blue Ikea bags, those big blue Ikea bags and throughout your week just put things in that bag that can go and at the end of the week see what's there and decide where to take them. And if you do this for a month or two months, you can't imagine what comes out of your house. So, like you were saying, it doesn't have to be a hard and fast and frenetic, it can just be something you do bit by bit. Yeah, okay, you know what? There are a couple areas that we could overlook in spring cleaning, but we're not this year.

Speaker 2: 22:27

One of them is a digital decluttering, and to me nothing feels better than cleaning out my email, getting off of some mailing lists, just really clearing out old files. I have to admit that today, as part of doing my taxes, I got out my file. I have cleared out so much old paper doctors receipts and different things from 2018. And just to note, cause I know a lot of folks are doing their taxes here in the US the IRS listed that July 2023, you should only keep tax records for three years from the date of your original return or two years from the date you paid taxes, whichever is later, so you can get rid of even things you have been holding on for for taxes.

Speaker 2: 23:21

So nothing feels better than having your paperwork filed. You know, I think we all have this like that big box or tub where we just put everything, and having paperwork filed, having a clean inbox right On your email I have to say that kind of spring cleaning feels really good.

Speaker 1: 23:42

Yeah, and do remember too, like with your tax returns, you can always go to irsgov and get a transcript of a previous return. So they do have that, as you know, a free thing, and you know business tax returns are a little different. So definitely look up or ask your accountant how long you should keep stuff and I know that for the record keeping right, if you filed a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deductions or whatever, the they suggest that you keep those records longer.

Speaker 2: 24:23

Well, I mean, I think it's good to know that you can go to irsgov and check that out. So but, you know what? We're all holding on to a lot of paperwork that we do not need.

Speaker 1: 24:35

Do not need Lighten that load. Spring clean there baby.

Speaker 2: 24:39

All right next we're going to talk about the great car clean out that you alluded to in our session right. And create a serene driving environment. One thing I just had to do this week was put some new windshield wiper blades on my car. That felt so good and I did it myself.

Speaker 1: 24:58

That's great to do seasonally.

Speaker 2: 25:00

That is great to do seasonally All right, we talked about having a great trash bag in your car. There are some car wash services with like unlimited washes, or, if you have some boys like me, me too three boys.

Speaker 1: 25:13

So it's yeah, it's not that much more than going for like two washes. It'll pay for itself, but it's nice to have those unlimited washes and you can just keep your car really nice yeah.

Speaker 2: 25:26

Or if you have three boys, like me, you have unlimited washes from the boys. But you talked about getting trunk organizers, getting back of seat organizers. But let's also check insurance registration paperwork. Make sure we have everything in that glove box or digitally online, like my AAA, my insurance. Everything's on an app these days. And last year I have to say Tish, you recommended this gel. It was almost like silly putty.

Speaker 1: 25:59

Like silly putty, yeah, or slime, it was more like slime. It was more like slime.

Speaker 2: 26:04

To clean the dashboard. It was one of our obsessions. I got it and I loved it. I must have been waiting for one of the kids somewhere, and this must have was last year, maybe from volleyball I took that thing and I cleaned that dashboard. That stuff is amazing.

Speaker 1: 26:26

You know that would be a really cute when you go to do like Easter baskets for older kids. Yeah, one of those in there. We got to put that in the link too, again.

Speaker 2: 26:35

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 26:36

Relink that.

Speaker 2: 26:37

We'll refresh that.

Speaker 1: 26:38

Yeah, it's definitely good.

Speaker 2: 26:40

Okay, and then, lastly, I know we talked a little bit about some online things, but a digital detox or a digital reset during the spring can be so amazing and Tish, I don't know if you remember, last year we took all our apps off our homepage for a period of time.

Speaker 2: 26:59

So that every time we looked at our phone it was like what, where are the apps? Oh yeah, I don't need to be on the phone. It was something that really worked for me and, of course, throughout the year, I got back to the apps on the homepage of my phone. But you know what? Unfollow accounts that no longer serve. You disconnect. Take a break, take a social media diet right, and really I think that can be one of the most positive ways to do some spring cleaning.

Speaker 1: 27:32

Absolutely. I think social media is a great way to start, you know, whether it's your TikTok or Instagram or whatever you know, get the stuff that you know. Keep the positive stuff. Get rid of the other stuff you know really. So how about? Let's talk about connecting with nature right, and we want to encourage women to bring the outdoors in. So the way you can do this is why don't you start incorporating more plants in your home to create like a small indoor garden? There's nothing more inviting in like a living room than to have lots of real, fresh greens.

Speaker 2: 28:17

I really like that idea, Tish. And if you don't have a green thumb, I think one way is to bring in little succulents. Yeah, they need so little to care. But they offer a really big bang for the bush there.

Speaker 1: 28:33

Succulents and cactus for those who forget to water.

Speaker 2: 28:37

It's true, but I like this idea of spring cleaning with a twist, because plants clean the air in your home and I think that bringing that green or greenish kind of things in also really feels fresh and really, to me, is about spring. I also think you could just bring in some of those great daffodil bulbs, right, that you see everywhere, even Trader Joe's. I mean, you can get a pot of those at Trader Joe's for $5.99.

Speaker 1: 29:11

Right, right, there's just something about that. But not just bringing the indoors or the outdoors in, but also spending time in nature really helps to reset your life right, and it can really help women at midlife find more peace and clarity as you're transitioning to different things, whether it's running, walking or hiking clubs. You joined up a hiking club last year, didn't you?

Speaker 2: 29:42

I did. And do you know, I just started doing this thing where I'm walking up my hill every day, twice a day, and it's just that getting outside. I thought it is time it is spring, I need to be outside. Yeah, love that hiking club.

Speaker 1: 29:59

So, you know, if you can't, if you can't, you know, get yourself on a rhythm. There's so many clubs and stuff that you can participate in to help you do that. The other area that we're I think it's a great time to spring clean is your patio garden, right, you know? Maybe get some new cushions or pillows, buy yourself a really special flower pot or get some amazing beautiful wind chimes. I have bought these wind chimes. I love a windy day. I always open my door and they're clinking. I just there's just something just serene about it and it draws me to go outside. So if you're outdoor patio area is inviting, with comfortable seats and beautiful things and nice flowers, and it's going to draw you out.

Speaker 2: 30:55

I love that idea and I know every year I do this.

Speaker 2: 31:00

My house is very small, so my deck, which you've been on many a time, tish it is like another living room for me and right now it's pretty messy and it's been through the winter and just spending an afternoon cleaning that up and getting out the pillows and the different things, I think, as we would say, gushing it up a little bit out there, I think, can really help. So spring cleaning that outdoor area is definitely one way to lift your spirits and really to get back to nature.

Speaker 1: 31:38

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 31:40

All right, tish. You know, just talking about this today makes me want to get started. I know doesn't it, yeah, and also to be more mindful when I buy things and bring things into my home, just from my makeup, to my clothes, to furniture. You know, it's really good for us to think about this at midlife, right? I think that it's something that I'm going to be doing this weekend. What about you?

Speaker 1: 32:11

Oh yeah, let's embark on this spring cleaning journey together, okay, okay, I love it, and I want all of our listeners to join us too. And remember, it's not just about tidying up our physical spaces, but it's also about creating room for us to grow and transform in our lives, and that's such a big part of midlife.

Speaker 2: 32:36

You know tish, you hit it. It really is about opening up and freeing up that emotional space, that emotional room for growth. And I just would say we know that it's our favorite season spring but embrace it. It's a season of renewal. Use this time to reflect on where you've been and where you're headed, and join us next time on the podcast as we continue to explore more ways to thrive during midlife and beyond. So next week, midlifers, get cleanin'.

Speaker 1: 33:14

Spring cleanin' out.