Spring Cleaning for Real Life: How to Declutter Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Will to Live)

Spring cleaning sounds amazing in theory—fresh air, open windows, and a sparkling, perfectly organized home straight off a Pinterest board. But let’s be real: most of us are juggling work, kids, pets, aging parents, the never-ending group chat, and the general mental load of being a woman in midlife. The idea of scrubbing baseboards or alphabetizing spices feels... ambitious at best, delusional at worst.

Still, there’s something about spring’s shift in light that makes us want to clear out the chaos (and maybe finally find that missing sock from 2022). So how do you tackle spring cleaning in a way that’s actually doable—and maybe even a little satisfying?

Start Small, Start Somewhere (Like That Drawer Full of Mystery Cords)

Fight the urge to dive headfirst into your biggest project. That’s a surefire path to burnout. Start with something you can finish in under an hour—like a bathroom drawer, your nightstand, or yes, the dreaded junk drawer. That little sense of completion can spark the momentum you need. You don’t have to transform your whole house in a weekend. Micro-wins matter.

Have a Plan (But Keep It Loose, Like Your Favorite Joggers)

Make a list of spaces you want to tackle, but don’t schedule them all back-to-back unless you enjoy collapsing into a pile of donation bags by Thursday. Spring cleaning fatigue is real. Build in breaks and be honest about what you can get done. You deserve rest and a clean closet.

Think in Zones, Not Rooms (Because “Clean the Kitchen” Is a Trap)

Instead of planning to "clean the kitchen," break it down: pantry, fridge, junk drawer, Tupperware graveyard. Then break those down into even smaller tasks. Bonus points for using a randomizer app or spinning wheel to decide which zone to tackle next—add a little chaos to your clean-up.

Declutter Before You Buy Bins (We Know, It’s Hard)

We’ve all been seduced by the aesthetic organizing videos. But before you run to Target for matching bins, declutter. Know what you actually need to store first. Organizing isn’t about buying more stuff—it’s about having less of the stuff that doesn’t serve you. Yes, even those “someday” jeans.

Ask the Right Questions (And Maybe the Brutal Ones)

When you’re stuck, ask:– Do I use it?– Do I love it?– Would I buy it again today?– Is it haunting me?– Will I actually miss it once it’s gone?If the answer is no—or if it sparks rage instead of joy—it’s time to say goodbye.

Make It a Family Thing (Yes, Bribery Is Acceptable)

Sure, it’s easier to clean solo, but involving kids, partners, or roommates can build shared habits—and help them understand where things go (emphasis on can). Make it fun: blast music, set a timer, and yes, promise ice cream if it gets the job done.

Midlife Bonus Round: The Emotional Cleanout

Spring cleaning isn’t just physical. It’s also an invitation to release what you’ve emotionally outgrown. That box of letters from your ex? The jeans from 2003? The perfume that smells like bad decisions? Let. It. Go. Your home should support who you are now—not who you were 20 years ago.

Final Tips

Donate what you can instead of tossing everything. Even your 2007 bridesmaid dress might find a second life.

Work with your habits—not against them. If the mail always piles up near the door, give it a basket.

Reuse and repurpose when possible—but if you haven’t used it in years and “might someday” isn't coming? It's time to let it go.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, weekend-long ordeal that ends with you crying in your linen closet. It can be a slow, gentle return to clarity. Start small. Be real with yourself. Let go of what no longer serves you (looking at you, expired skincare). And when in doubt, light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and pretend the laundry room doesn’t exist—for now. You've earned it.