Phyllisophically: Spring cleaning 2.0

Or three years ago when the words “pandemic” and “lockdown” first made their way into the mainstream, were you among those who tackled every home project, stuffed closet and stack, pile and hoarding fiasco?

If so, I’d gladly give you an award, except that would only potentially start the whole clutter loop all over again.

I’d love to announce that I’ve accomplished any of the growing list of “stuff” I’ve needed to tackle.

Instead, I have conveniently, and adeptly I might add, managed to wriggle free from any stress or guilt these assignments might have presented.

The garage, for example — which still contains all the same boxes I moved with me from New York. The proverbial “they” always say, if you haven’t touched it in three years, you’re probably not going to use it. I’d say now that I’m at the 20-plus-year mark, this is a pretty safe bet.

One problem, with the garage at least, is that it’s either too hot or too cold. Never, Goldilocks, “just right.”

And yet, there is sentimental attachment. I’m sure someday I’ll decide to reread my articles in the Crusader, the Southern Wayne High School newspaper from a bygone era. Or what about my Barbie collection? To say nothing of the stack of albums — I mean “vinyl” for the uninitiated who aren’t familiar with the precursor to cassettes and CDs, also known as records.

Yep, my home is a veritable vintage wonderland.

Surely folks like us — notice how I’m not throwing out anything, but I’m most certainly throwing anyone else I can find under the bus so I don’t have to inhabit this category alone — are in need of guidance.

I’m going to jump ship and save any cleaning ambition for a rainy day. Or at least an occasion when I might find myself in the mood. It could happen.

For purposes here, let’s segue into a kinder, gentler approach to spring cleaning. The internal kind.

Consider what to do about all the “clutter” in our mind that prevents us from making amends, helping someone or making life better.

And how about evicting anyone living rent-free in our head? This includes no longer rehearsing conversations we’ll likely never have and making room for lovelier thoughts.

Next, clean out the cobwebs of unforgiveness. Surely that alone would free up a lot of space to repurpose.

But perhaps my favorite find recently is this knick-knack to display center stage in our brain — Act and live as if God created you and put you here. Then, watch what happens!

In all my sifting and sorting through the stacks and piles and nooks and crannies, I’m discovering that too often we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed or buried beneath lost moments and missed opportunities.

Better to dig our way out and dust ourselves off.

Ultimately, we are all under construction. It’s perfectly OK to indulge in a bit of personal renovating now and again.

You just may discover the greatest treasure is within.