I just gave my habits a spring clean (and maybe you might like to also?)

We’re used to the idea of spring cleaning your house, but did you know that the idea can fit perfectly for other elements of your life?

Do you know that feeling when things start piling up and, suddenly, your once-clear path feels like it’s disappeared under a landslide of to-dos? I was right there a few weeks ago. Every list was growing, my stress levels were rising, and I was inching dangerously close to overwhelm.Then, like a lifeline, a few prompts from the Second 50 community nudged me to pause, breathe, and make some shifts to get back on track.

Even though I started 2024 with more optimism and self-determination than any year previously, I know only too well how it only takes a couple of curveballs before I lose sight of new habits and fall back into old patterns. Over the past couple of months, I hit some unexpected bumps both with family and Second 50 and there I was again, feeling like life was sliding out of control.

My old self would have piled more onto the list, thinking that doing more would somehow fix it all. This time, thanks to some sage advice from a couple of Second 50 women, a ‘World Cafe’ community brainstorm, plus a few other lessons I’ve learned this year, I pressed pause. I took a step back and reassessed where my energy was going and whether it was aligning with what I truly needed.

My slippage has been a good reminder that living my best life won’t happen by setting goals in January and then hoping for the best. It needs constant attention and practice, especially when life gets in the way of perfection.

So, that’s why I decided to do a spring clean of my calendar, my energy, and my wellbeing. Does that sound self-centred? I probably used to think so, but no longer. I now feel like it takes more courage to pause and reassess than to just keep going. To recognise that it’s unsustainable to keep adding more without making room for it.

There’s a few things that got cleaned up in my habit spring clean:

• I took a hard look at my calendar and removed some energy draining things, which meant stopping a couple of activities and consciously ‘outsourcing’ something else.

• In that same calendar, I embedded a permanent "Get To Do" list. This a little hack, which I picked up from Annie Harvey’s Empathy Fatigue workshop, isn’t about chores or responsibilities, but ensuring I have scheduled time every day to make progress on my own health and wellbeing, like exercise and fresh air.

• I booked in some medical appointments that were long overdue. Sure, they’ll take up time now but might well prevent other health-related needs down the track, plus I have the peace of mind knowing I’m up to date with checks.

• I’m given notice at my gym and I’m moving to one where I can do more focussed workouts that include the full scope of exercise I want to do (within my budget!)

• I made myself a commitment to make a conscious effort to be present (rather than on the run) when I call my mum every day. At 94, she deserves my full focus when we speak.

My spring clean has created more time and space for my Second 50 commitments, for myself and everyone else I care about.

If you’re inspired to do some spring cleaning with a difference, here are a few ideas:

• Subtraction – rather than adding more, try removing some ‘extra’ things that are not adding value

• Get To Do list – block time in your calendar for important things on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

• Outsourcing – if you’re able to, try outsourcing tasks you find draining (you might hire help or you might do a skills swap with someone).

• Daily exercise – regular exercise is so important if you want a long health span (rather than just life span!)

• Connection – see if you can look beyond your ‘have to see’ people to making time to catch up with people who really matter to you.

So, before the year ends, I hope that I have added one more good habit to my routine: making time weekly and monthly, to pause, reflect, and adjust. I’ll use the turning of each season to prompt a bigger review (I’ll call them summer, autumn and winter cleans, even though they’re less catchy than ‘spring clean’!).

Overall, I want to continue to make choices and take small but meaningful steps toward the life I want. I feel so blessed to have amazing women in the Second 50 community to help keep me on track.

I wonder what part of your life could use a spring clean? Take a moment to reflect. What really matters? What’s just taking up space? Try a little spring clean of your own and carve out room for what’s truly important. You’ll be so glad you did.