Spring cleaning won’t clear away the old you, but it can juice up your next season (Holistic Hustle)

Kharissa Parker is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News. For more of her self-care tips on how to keep your cup full, visit kparker.co.

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The first couple months of the year were nothing that I expected them to be. In 2022, I manifested many of my dreams and goals and I thought the upward momentum would continue into 2023. Instead, I was met with a universal pop quiz of sorts to test if I really learned all the lessons from last year. To be honest, I was not ready and a little shook — but I wasn’t alone. 

As I scrolled through my social media timelines, everyone else was apparently going through a similar experience. One day, I came across a friend’s post that suggested we kill the whole “new year, new me” motto because, though it was indeed a new year, we were still in a winter month. The whole new year energy so many of us were craving really wouldn’t come until spring, the true “beginning” of the year. While winter calls us to rest, reflect, and recuperate, spring ushers in fresh beginnings.

March 20 is the first day of spring for us living here in the northern hemisphere. As we revel in the last few weeks of winter, we have the opportunity to make room for a clean start. Here’s how that looks at work.

Tidy up your workspace

If you followed along in The 7 Pillars of Self-Care series, you may remember that the sixth pillar is awareness of space. The lesson here is that how you take care of your space speaks volumes about your relationship with self-care — and we know that self-care can have a big impact on how you show up at work. 

When was the last time you gave your work space a good, deep clean or digital declutter? If this isn’t something you were able to do at the start of the year, now is a good time to get it done.

Take mindful breaks

Think about what you usually do when you take a break and start healthier practices. Do you go smoke or participate in idle gossip? Perhaps instead of lighting up, you can practice breath work. A study conducted by Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers showed that practicing breath work can actually help you quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can also make a point to spread a little positivity when you chat with co-workers instead of participating in negative chatter. Taking a few minutes to go for a quick walk or doing a five-minute meditation session are also beneficial for your body and your brain, especially if your job requires you to sit most of the day. On the flip side, if your job demands a lot of your body, go sit down somewhere and get in some light stretching.

Give your lunch a refresher

Instead of working through lunch or eating at your desk, give yourself the time and space to enjoy your food sans the daily duties. For starters, you won’t run the risk of spills or crumbs in your keyboard. It’ll also allow you to enjoy your food more and help you realize when you’re actually full. Also consider starting to eat healthier lunches or invite co-workers out for team lunches. 

If you work from home, running down to the fridge to grab a bite to eat throughout the day is super convenient — but not always helpful. Try to implement the same boundaries of scheduling a precise time for your lunch break, eating healthier, and not eating while you work just as you would in the office.

Check in with your manager and co-workers

A mentor I had in college once told me no communication leads to speculation and speculation breeds assumption. Avoid breakdowns in communication by checking in with your manager and co-workers. Scheduling a time to meet with your manager provides an opportunity to not only see where you’re doing well and which areas you can improve, but also allows you to speak on your needs and goals. It also allows your manager to see you’re a valuable team player who’s invested in the company. By checking in with co-workers, you play a role in catering to a healthy workplace culture and position yourself to be seen as a leader.

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Fueled by her expertise as a news producer, writer, and certified health coach, Kharissa Parker is passionate about helping entrepreneurs in Kansas City achieve their goals without sacrificing self-care. Check out her brand, The KP Method, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.