By Joshua Turnock

When we think of spring cleaning, we often picture the house being torn apart: curtains being washed, baseboards scrubbed, the attic organized, and a two-stall garage decluttered—one that, at this point, can barely fit a car. It’s that time to clean everything in sight to prepare for the upcoming summer season, with all the family gatherings, parties, game nights, and after-school activities. But we often forget that spring cleaning isn’t just for our homes—it’s also an opportunity to clean and declutter our minds.

I know what you might be thinking: “Josh, how do I clean my brain? I can’t exactly mop it.” Well, you can clean your mind, just in a different way. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you start mopping your head.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of a calm morning routine—not rushing to get out the door. If revamping your morning routine is how you choose to spring clean your mental space, that’s a great place to start. It gives you a chance to assess what you’re doing and identify what may be causing stress. And stress, as we know, raises blood pressure, which can lead to bigger health issues. By simply taking longer to get ready, and allowing yourself to enjoy the quieter moments of your morning, you’ll benefit in ways beyond just your mental health.

But your mental spring cleaning can extend beyond just mornings. Something new I’m starting for my own mental spring clean is a 30-Day Challenge. For 30 days, I’ll focus on making one positive change in my life, big or small. Personally, as someone who works from home, I often forget to set aside time for a break. I find myself pushing through tasks, always looking for the next thing to do, even though I deserve a 15-30 minute break to clear my head and maybe take a walk.

What’s your 30-Day Challenge going to be? Will it be to go to the gym each day or a few times a week? Maybe you’ll start enjoying a cup of tea every evening before bed. Or, perhaps, you’ll make a point to call someone you love each morning. Whatever it is, choose something that helps you relax, reflect, and become more in tune with yourself.

Lastly, take time this spring to re-evaluate your New Year’s goals. Are you on track with them, or are they feeling out of reach? Here’s the thing—your goals aren’t set in stone. They aren’t law. Let’s use this season of renewal to reflect on them and decide if they need to be adjusted or even completely changed. If you need to modify your goal of going to the gym every day to three times a week, that’s perfectly okay. The goal is to become a better version of yourself, and if that means doing less, so be it.

In the end, you’re doing your best to improve yourself—and there’s no reason to beat yourself up about it. Life is about trial and error. Sometimes we learn what we can handle, and that doesn’t make us weak; it makes us stronger for recognizing our limits.

So, this spring, give yourself some grace. Be kind and loving toward yourself, and keep these thoughts in mind as you clean and declutter both your home and your mind.

Peace and love to you all.

Joshua Turnock is a Niles High School graduate and a valued member of Leader Publications’ Design Team.