Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s time to open the windows and let go of items that no longer serve you. You’re here because you’re a reader, and of course, there are books to help with both the activity of cleaning and the mentality needed for success.

Here are some books to help with Spring Cleaning

• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

• Spark Joy by Marie Kondo

• The Art of Discarding: How to Get Rid of Clutter and Find Joy by Nagisa Tatsumi

• The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson

You know the feeling when your desk is cluttered, and you can’t focus? That happens throughout your house. Think of your linen closet, that junk drawer in the kitchen, or the garage – those areas accumulate stuff, and often, it’s stuff we think we might need one day. I’m willing to bet you can toss or donate at least half of those items.

Marie Kondo’s books and Swedish Death Cleaning help you part with your items. As corny as it sounds, Kondo’s process of thanking an item before you throw it away or donate it helps you part with it. You’re able to take the item, thank it for its service and throw it away knowing it fulfilled its purpose, or you can donate it knowing someone else can benefit from having it. Swedish Death Cleaning sounds morbid, but it’s a lovely concept. How often have you seen older adults saving dinnerware sets, furniture, or knick-knacks to “pass down” to their children? Swedish Death Cleaning encourages those older adults to let their loved ones choose what they want now rather than inherit everything later.

Spring cleaning is more than just mopping the floor and vacuuming under the bed. Spring is about growth and renewal; it’s time to get rid of physical items, organize your things, and even clean those baseboards.