Our calendar lets us down sometimes. In ancient times, the year began in spring. It's hard to get motivated here in the north when the sun seems further away, days are shorter and we're shivering in ice and snow. I prefer the idea of beginning the year as the earth is warmed and buds and blooms are waking up, rousing their heads as the cycle of life renews. This year I am spring cleaning for the first time in my life. It's time.
I've spent a lot of time surface cleaning, just like a mom licks her finger and wipes the dirt off her child's face. Finally, it's time for detail cleaning in my home, body, mind and spirit.
Surface cleaning tasks are necessary and always available: every day, we do the dishes, wash laundry, sweep floors, and pick up clutter. In our body, surface cleaning looks like getting enough water, eating organic locally sourced food, exercising and fighting inflammation — just to name a few. I recently started taking hydrogen tabs at the recommendation of my physical therapist, Amanda LaFalce, to both increase my energy and help deal with inflammation. I'm trying new things to keep the surface spit shined.
Spring cleaning, as I see it, has three important components: reorganization, decluttering, and detail cleaning. In my past, I have tended to do all of this when I move — and I usually end up throwing things I know I really don't want into a box because I don't have time to properly deal with them. Now, as an empty nester, it's time for me to reorganize and declutter based on what my life looks like at this moment, on all levels.
I'm grateful to John Martinez, D.C. of Pneuma Chiropractic (pneumachiropractic.com) who reorganized my body in the most inspired and intuitive work I have ever received from a chiropractor. Not only did he reorganize and smooth out tightness and compensation patterns, but he answered my question about where to put weight in my feet as I stand. This is really important, because I have been telling people for years to stand with their weight in their heels. Exploring movement and balance with him, he artfully explained that both standing and movement come from our toes and the balls of our feet — and I was convinced that I was wrong. What a beautiful feeling to course correct, to come closer to knowing what is true and functional for my body!
Reorganization allows us to ask the question: Does this serve? Is this true? Is there any reason for me to keep these books that I really don't want to read anyway? Decluttering allows for simpler living around the direction that you choose to live your life. Course correction in sailing is called "adjusting your attitude." Even a slight adjustment to your attitude alters your destination. I am choosing to touch every item in my house this year and applying Marie Kondo's iconic criteria: Does this bring me joy? Decluttering in the body looks like deciding to stop eating sugar or fasting. In the spirit, it looks like a focused practice to get rid of distraction — taking time to think, connect, or serve.
Detail cleaning my home and body will be new experiences for me this year. I've been living in a grind that has been too much for my mind and body to handle. I am listening and choosing to take the time to live fully — and that means I'll be writing, riding my bike on Jumbo, dancing more, finding ways to serve quietly behind the scenes. I can't wait to make my home my own by caring for it meticulously for a change. I envision this practice as Mr. Miyagi would say, "Wax on, wax off" — and it will have the effect of calming my mind and giving me time to meditate in motion.
I'm also planning a parasite cleanse. I've shared this with several people who tell me that they don't believe you can have parasites in your body. Just because you don't believe doesn't mean it's not true. Parasites are a real issue — the CDC has created five "Neglected Parasitic Infection" priorities based on the parasites that cause the most harmful illnesses when left unaddressed. Doctors in Europe and Asia typically guide their patients to do at least one, if not two, parasite cleanses a year. Parasites increase the load of toxins and inflammation in the body, which serves to exacerbate other symptoms of disease. I am in my fifties and have never done one before. I am excited to feel changes in my joints, energy and overall immune system health as a result of this discipline.
Scrubbing the cracks and really looking at the dirt that can be cleaned — and the repairs that can be made — in our homes, our bodies, our souls brings peace and allows for richer connection in this thing called life. How are you spring cleaning this year? Will you choose to let go of something in order to bloom anew in this rhythm of awakening life? Try something you've never done before and see how it improves the quality of your life and wellbeing.
