Spring Into Action: Declutter and Refresh Your Wardrobe for a Brighter Season

Spring Cleaning and Revamping Your Wardrobe- How decluttering your closet and introducing new clothing can create a positive start to the spring and summer seasons. 

The Spring season is the time of new beginnings, an awakening from the cold Winter months, and a time of renewal. With warmer temperatures and sunshine, when may be more motivated to get organized, and declutter, after the winter season. Spring cleaning can feel like a daunting task, when you feel like the whole house needs a revamp. Throw open the windows, get out your dust cloth, and stock up on storage bins, as we prepare to close out Winter, and usher in Spring.

Before you delve into a cleaning frenzy, it is beneficial to have a plan of action. Assess the space, set achievable goals and a realistic timeline, compile a checklist of tasks, and supplies to complete the tasks efficiently. Briefly look into different decluttering methods and follow one for the most successful outcome. Tried and true methods of decluttering include the Marie Kondo method, and the 4-box method. Read below to determine if one of these is the best method for your spring cleaning venture this season!

The Marie Kondo Method stems from the belief that we should only surround ourselves with things that spark joy. When you approach this process with a positive mindset, and commit to tidying up, you can establish which items add value and bring joy to your life. By itemizing, decluttering, and discarding items throughout your house, you will find a process that can ensure calm and cleanliness for plenty of time to come.

Before diving into the decluttering process, take a moment to envision your ideal lifestyle. What do you want your living space to look and feel like? By visualizing your goals, you can better understand which possessions align with your vision and which ones are holding you back. Then begin by selecting items, and determining whether they no longer serve you. Kondo recommends holding each item in your hands and asking yourself if it “sparks joy”. If it does, keep it; if not, thank it for its service and let it go. BBy doing this, items become easier to dispose of when looked at as no longer needed or wanted. The important items will remain when the decluttering process is finished, and unimportant items will no longer clutter each room.

Throughout the tidying process, Kondo encourages practicing gratitude for your belongings. By expressing appreciation for the items that bring you joy, you can develop a deeper connection to your possessions. Gratitude also extends to those items that you choose to discard, acknowledging the role they played in your life before letting them go. Once you've scaled down your belongings to those that spark joy, it's time to organize them effectively. Marie Kondo emphasizes the importance of storing items in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This may involve using storage solutions such as boxes, bins, and dividers to maximize space and keep items neatly contained. 

When you are ready to delve into a deep spring clean, why not give the Marie Kondo method a try? By committing to tidying up and embracing the principles of joy and gratitude, you can reclaim control of your space and relax in a state of joy within your newly cleaned environment.

For those of you not feeling so sentimental, the 4-box method might just be the solution you've been searching for. This simple yet effective technique can help you declutter your space with ease, making your cleaning routine more manageable and efficient. The 4-box method is a straightforward approach involving sorting items into four categories: keep, donate, trash, and relocate. By categorizing your belongings, you can make quick decisions about what to keep and what to discard.

Begin this process by simply gathering four boxes or bins and labeling them keep, donate, trash, and relocate. Select an area of your home in which to start. As you pick up each item to clean, place it in one of the four boxes based on whether you would like to keep it, donate it, throw it out, or relocate it.  A key component to this method is quick decision making. Do not linger over an item's importance or future in its current state. If it does not immediately strike you as necessary, wanted, or loved, it may be headed to the donate or trash bin. Perhaps the most important decision would be made over which are the valuable items that will be kept. 
Once this area is complete, and decluttered, work on emptying each box accordingly. Put away items you have decided to keep, pack up the items you no longer need for donation, dispose of all trash, and find the proper location for all items that should be relocated. This may also include boxing up sentimental items and neatly storing them in the basement for the future.
Overall, the 4-box method offers a straightforward method for decluttering, making the process less overwhelming. The labeled boxes help you to visualize the items you own, and prioritize what is truly important with one quick decision, saving time and energy. Whether you're tackling a single room or your entire home, the 4-box method can help you fasttrack your cleaning routine. Grab some boxes and start decluttering today!

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The Container Store in Garden City has anything and everything you could need to organize your closet, and your home. The store is stocked with innovative storage solutions and home organization essentials. They offer sleek closet systems, stylish shelving units, and kitchen organizers. Whether you need bins, shelves, or the tools to put them together, the Container Store in Cranston, Rhode Island can provide space-saving solutions for every room! Once you are organized, it is time to fill in the spaces you have created within your home. 

An organized closet may now feel empty, and it may be time to replace articles of clothing that were worn, tattered, too big, too small, or simply out of date. Now it is time to upgrade your wardrobe to better fit the you you are today. Upgrading your wardrobe can be an exciting journey, an opportunity to refresh your personal style. Whether you are searching for a more polished, professional look or hoping to add some flair to your everyday attire, the process of upgrading your wardrobe mixes creativity and self-expression. From selecting timeless staples like well-fitted blazers and versatile denim to incorporating trendy statement pieces and accessories, each addition contributes to a cohesive and confident ensemble. With attention to quality, fit, and versatility, upgrading your wardrobe isn't just about acquiring new clothes; it's about curating a selection that empowers you, and helps you feel confident from head to toe.

Garden City Shopping Center has an abundance of shopping and yummy dining options. This ever evolving outdoor shopping center gives you a breath of fresh air as you are not confined to one massive building. It is the perfect place to shop with a coffee or tea in hand and when you want to enjoy the outdoors at the same time. There are over 60 businesses in the area and there are even new stores and eateries opening as we speak! From Anthropologie, LL Bean, Old Navy to Sephora and many many more, you will not get bored!

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The Warwick Mall is the conveniently located indoor shopping center with multiple go-to stores. From Macy’s at one end, and Target at the other, the Warwick Mall houses some of your favorite stores, like Pink and Nordstrom Rack, while nestling some hidden gems, such as Torrid, and BoxLunch, which you won’t find anywhere else locally. Don’t forget to treat yourself after all your hard work, with a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s, or a sweet from Sweet Palace. There are plenty of stores that sell accessories, so don’t forget jewelry, scarves, a hat, or belt. And remember to replace those old, holey socks!

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Smithfield Crossings is conveniently situated off of I-295. The Crossings offer many stores in an outdoor mall setting so you get the benefit of shopping and sunshine. Whether you’re looking for clothing at Old Navy, or Kohl’s, novelty items at The Paper Store, or outdoor goods from Dick’s Sporting Goods, you can find it all here. You can find Ulta Beauty for makeup, and Home Depot, for any home renovation projects you may have been inspired to do while decluttering! Michael’s Craft Store could also hold the tools for any DIY projects you dare to undertake. Whether you’re going to one store, or you have multiple stops to make, Smithfield Crossings has it all.

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A minute down the road you find another shopping plaza. This is where Flaunt Boutique is located. A rare treat, Flaunt sells goods from a number of brands, including local businesses. If you are looking for specific jewelry, a particular brand of handbags, or searching for a gift for that hard to shop for friend, Flaunt is your go-to shop. Haute Shore, Luca and Danni, JoJo Loves You, and dozens more brands await you at Flaunt Boutique today! Located inside Ephraim Doumato Jewelers in the Apple Valley Mall plaza. 

While you are out, don’t forget the accessories! OPTX Rhode Island, located in Johnston, offers a wide selection of designer frames and lenses to boost any collection of eyewear. Whether you need sunglasses, reading glasses, or everyday glasses, OPTX has what you are looking for, in style, shape and color. Keep your eyes on the future, but keep them protected with a new pair of eyeglasses today. Don’t forget to make an appointment to see your optometrist!

Spring cleaning is an annual ritual that offers numerous benefits beyond just tidying up. Firstly, it promotes physical and mental well-being by creating a cleaner, healthier living environment. Dusting, vacuuming, and decluttering remove allergens, dirt and germs that may have accumulated during the winter months. Additionally, the act of cleaning can be therapeutic, reducing stress and anxiety as you regain control over your surroundings. Spring cleaning fosters productivity and organization by decluttering your space, which can positively impact daily routines. Lastly, it provides an opportunity to prioritize things around you, helping to set goals and establish new habits for the season ahead. Spring cleaning is not just about scrubbing surfaces; it's about rejuvenating your home and mindset, setting the stage for a fresh start to a new season. Utilize our methods listed above to start your spring cleaning, and don’t forget to reward yourself for a job well done!

Once you have completed your indoor cleaning, you can head outdoors to improve the exterior of your home.  Springtime heralds the arrival of warmer weather, longer days, and the promise of new beginnings. It's also the perfect time to engage in outdoor cleaning activities. Under the warm sun, outdoor cleaning becomes not just a chore, but a rejuvenating and rewarding experience that nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Just as the inside becomes cluttered during the winter months, outdoor spaces can become cluttered with debris. Raking leaves, sweeping sidewalks, and clearing out gutters not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property but also promotes safety and prevents potential damage caused by blockages or overgrowth. These activities are just as important in the Spring as in the Fall. 

In addition to physical health benefits like exercise, outdoor cleaning in springtime also has a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being. Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting mood, creativity, and cognitive function. Engaging in outdoor cleaning activities provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world, fostering a sense of mindfulness and presence that can help alleviate mental fatigue and improve overall mental health.​

BEFORE HEADING OUT ON A NEW VENTURE, STOP BY OPTX RHODE ISLAND FOR ALL YOUR EYECARE NEEDS. WE OFFER PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES, SUNGLASSES, CONTACT LENSES, AND MORE. WE HAVE A LARGE VARIETY OF DESIGNER FRAMES AS WELL. VISIT US TODAY AT 1277 HARTFORD AVENUE, JOHNSTON, RI