Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Letting Go of Emotional Clutter
I love a good spring clean.
There’s just something about opening the windows, letting the fresh air in, and clearing out the spaces that have been quietly collecting dust all winter. My home always feels so much brighter, cleaner, lighter after I finally let go of what no longer aligns with my life. Whether it’s clothes that no longer fit (too big, too small — either way, no longer me), unopened Amazon boxes full of good intentions (I swear I will get to that craft project eventually), or even photos on my phone tied to memories that no longer serve — clearing out makes room for something new. Something better.
But the real magic happens when we take that spring cleaning spirit and turn it inward.
We don’t just collect clutter in our homes — we carry it inside ourselves, too. Old beliefs. Outdated mindsets. Ways of being that maybe once kept us safe but now keep us small. I see it every day in my own life and in my work: so much of our distress is tied to societal, cultural, or familial beliefs that don’t actually reflect the lives we want to live.
Beliefs like:
"I have to work myself to exhaustion to be successful."
"I need to always be productive to have value."
"It's selfish to put my needs first."
"Good people never say no."
Sound familiar?
When we try to live a life that belongs to someone else, it feels awful. No matter how hard we try, we’ll never feel fully alive, fulfilled, or at peace because we're chasing someone else’s dream — not ours.
One of the most powerful ways to spot emotional clutter is to notice when you’re “shoulding” on yourself.
“I should go to this event.”
“I should be farther ahead by now.”
“I should always say yes when people ask for help.”
Every time you catch yourself in a “should,” I invite you to pause and ask:
"Is this something I truly believe? Or is this a story someone else handed me?"
What activities, routines, or roles are you clinging to out of obligation, not passion?
What patterns in your thinking feel heavy, constricting, or rooted in fear rather than love?
Spring is an invitation — not just to clean out our closets, but to clear space in our hearts and minds.
When you release the patterns, beliefs, and behaviours that no longer serve you, you create space for what actually matters.
For what lights you up.
For what makes you feel brighter, lighter, more you.
If you’re feeling called to do a little mental spring cleaning this season, here are a few ways to start:
Talk to a therapist — Unpacking old beliefs and stories with support can be so healing. Therapy helps you clear the clutter and build something stronger in its place.
Create a burning ceremony — Write down the mindsets, habits, and fears you’re ready to release. Then (safely!) burn the paper and watch it transform into smoke and sky.
Make a day of it — Set aside a full afternoon just for yourself. Journal, meditate, clean your space, clear your mind. Light candles. Play your favourite music. Make it a ritual.
Do it with your loved ones — Spring clean as a family, a friend group, or a partnership. Share what you’re letting go of and what you’re making room for. Support each other in becoming lighter and freer.
You are allowed to build a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good on the outside.
And it starts with clearing the clutter that was never yours to carry in the first place.
Here’s to fresher air, lighter hearts, and new beginnings ❤️🌼
