Editor’s Thoughts: Ten Items I’m Throwing Out During Spring Cleaning (They Might Surprise You)

It’s that time of year where we comb old t-shirts, excess mail, that pair of jeans we keep swearing we’re getting into THIS summer – it’s all got to go. I’m working on my own spring cleaning list and I’m ditching some things you might not expect:

Clothes That Don’t Fit: Let’s be clear about how hard this will be for me because, hey, the smaller stuff? Gone. However, I tend to hang onto larger clothes, things that used to fit when I was a larger size. I’ve seen photographs of me in my adult fashion versions of the security blanket and I look frumpy and sad. I’ve shed the weight, why not the clothes? Gently used clothing will be donated, anything that looks like a costume from Les Miserables needs to go in the trash.


Old Beauty Items: I preach this, I practice it ,and I’m getting in your face about it. You cannot hang onto makeup past its expiration date. It’s not only unflattering, it’s unhealthy. Mascara wands and applicators can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Hey, this also goes for old manicure and pedicure tools, worn-down pumice stones, back brushes and bath items that have that weird rust look to them, shower caps that smell, etc. Why would you use a dirty loofah to clean yourself? Exactly. Out it goes.

Shoes That Can’t Be Repaired or Will Never Return to Style Again: I recently rediscovered a pair of jelly shoes that had a wooden sole. I can’t tell you exactly how intoxicated I was when I bought them (because, let’s face it, that’s the only valid excuse) but they have to GO. I’ve also been holding onto a pair of shoes that looks like I wore them hiking through Middle Earth. If they’re beyond repair or will never return to style (or were never in style – BE HONEST with yourself), buh-bye.


Food and Beverages That Aren’t Good for Me: Out of nothing but a lack of time, I have fallen into the pre-packaged food rut. This has led to an unending battle with the spare tire around my waist and it’s starting to piss me off. If it comes in a box and has an expiration date of six months from now to, oh, the Apocalypse, it has to be donated or go out. I’m determined to eat and feel better about myself and I can’t do that shoveling crap into my mouth.


Bad Relationships: I’ve taken my share of hard knocks recently in the relationship department from both a friendship and romantic perspective. Here’s the truth: people are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Hanging onto to relationships that aren’t good for you is counterproductive to your life and adds incredible amounts of unhappiness. Plus, wrinkles suck. Be kind, but let go.


Putting My Health On the Back Burner: I recently discovered that I have a heart condition because I sensed some warning signs that I learned from the American Heart Association. The information basically saved my life and I can now live with, and manage, said condition. My doctors told me if left undetected I would have had either a heart attack or a stroke within a year or two years. Nobody likes a dead blogger and your health is nothing to screw around with. Go to your doctor, get checked, get tested, know your stats and take care of your body. It’s the only one you have and once it’s broken, it’s really hard to fix.

Regrets: Learning from our mistakes is what makes us human, but carrying guilt around for things you’ve done (or for things people perceive you’ve done and they try to make you suffer for it) is negative energy that is highly destructive. Throw that out, then forgive yourself or whoever it is and move on. While you’re at it, throw Shame, Angst, Fury, Greed, Coveting and Rage out with it.

Fear of Success: Think of any time in your life where you’ve had some success and “something happened” to snatch it away from you. Were you really a victim or were you so intimidated by your own success that you did something to sabotage it? The mind is a powerful thing. If you don’t believe you deserve to be happy, you will create unhappiness. Throw that fear out and believe you truly deserve the abundance coming into your life. I promise you right now that you’ll always get what you THINK you deserve.


The Inability to Say “No”: Gets me in trouble every time. I love to be of service to people and, honestly, I’m a people pleaser. This means that I over-commit or wind up regretting the Hell out of it later. I’m working to correct the situations this has gotten me into in the past but moving forward, look for the word “No” to come up way more often than it ever has.


Being Anyone Other Than Who I Am: Look, I’m quirky. I like to stay out late, I love stupid jokes and sometimes I laugh too loud. I eat applesauce with mashed potatoes, I think the ‘h’ in the word ‘vehicle’ should be silent, and I really hate when people bump into me without making eye contact (the laws of physics don’t just magically disappear because you want to be an obstinate asshole on the sidewalk today). This is who I am. These are just a few of the things that I stand for. If this isn’t for you, I suggest you move on. Everyone deserves to be exactly who they are. Love me or hate me, I demand you respect that about me and I think you have the right to do so for yourself.

What are you getting rid of this season? Leave your comments below or feel free to email me. Would love to hear your thoughts on this piece and what changes you’re making in your own lives.