Mental Health Series: Spring Cleaning…For Your Mind

As Summer swiftly approaches, life often begins to ramp up. Our calendars begin to fill with an insurmountable end of school activities, social events, shifting of routines and vacation planning. Before the pace begins to pick up, this is a prime time to pause and check in…not just your schedules, but with your mind. 

When we think of spring cleaning, most of us picture purging closets, organizing garages, and de-cluttering spaces...finally getting the attention we’ve been avoiding. But what if this season wasn’t just about cleaning and organizing our homes? What if it was also an opportunity to gently clear out our minds, too? Our mental and emotional spaces also need equal attention. 

I often remind my clients that mental clutter can feel just as heavy as physical clutter. Unfinished to-do lists, overwhelming expectations, negative self-talk, and even relationships that drain us can silently build up over time. And just like a messy room, it can start to impact how we feel day to day. De-cluttering your mental wellbeing might look like setting a boundary where you’ve been overextending yourself. Or maybe it’s simply recognizing the way you speak to yourself and choosing a little more compassion and positivity.

Summer often brings more activity, but it doesn’t have to bring more stress. This a natural time to reset. Not in a pressure-filled, “fix-it-all” kind of way, but with small and intentional steps over time. It might look like letting go of a commitment that no longer serves you. 

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to feel better. In fact, the smallest shifts often create the most meaningful change.

As Summer begins in full swing, please give yourself permission to check in with yourself, clear out what feels heavy, and make space for what supports your overall well-being. You deserve a life that feels lighter, not just on the outside, but on the inside too. Here’s to a Fun, Healthy and Safe Summer Season for you.

by Leah Strittmatter, LSCW-S

Owner & Counselor, Strittmatter Counseling, PLLC