Spring in the Hudson Valley isn’t just about blooming trees and longer days—it’s a full-sensory invitation to renew and transform your home into a personal wellness retreat. As the sunlight lingers and the windows finally open, there’s an undeniable pull to sweep out the stale and breathe life back into our homes. But spring cleaning doesn’t have to be just scrubbing and organizing—it can be a celebration of wellness, simplicity, and style.
Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Fresh Starts, Green Swaps, and a Touch of Herbal Magic – Living Well with Coach Maxwell Alexander
This season, let’s go deeper than dust bunnies. Let’s clear the air (literally), ditch the plastic, bring nature indoors, and make our homes feel like the soulful sanctuaries they’re meant to be.
1. Detox Your Space, Detox Your Mind
Clutter is more than just stuff—it’s delayed decisions and emotional noise. That stack of unread mail? Quiet guilt. That overflowing closet? A parade of “maybe one day” items. Spring is the perfect excuse to release what no longer serves you.
Start one room at a time. Ask yourself: Do I love this? Do I use this? Is this who I am now or who I was five years ago? The more you let go, the lighter your space—and your spirit—will feel. Decluttering is the ultimate mental refresh. It’s like therapy, but with trash bags.
2. Green Cleaning That Feels Good
Let’s be honest: if your cleaning products require a hazmat suit, it might be time for an upgrade. Natural cleaning doesn’t just smell better—it’s better for your lungs, your pets, and the planet.
DIY Green Cleaning Staples:
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All-Purpose Spray: 1 part distilled vinegar, 1 part water, 10 drops lemon essential oil.
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Scrub Paste: Baking soda + a few drops of water + lavender oil = gentle scrub for sinks and tubs.
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Glass Cleaner: Vinegar + cornstarch + water = streak-free sparkle.
Use reusable microfiber cloths, and skip the disposable wipes. It’s like giving Mother Earth a high-five with every swipe.
3. Swap Out the Plastic
Let’s leave plastic in the past (along with those mystery containers with missing lids). This spring, shift your décor toward materials that age beautifully: think wood, ceramic, linen, straw, and clay.
Stylish Natural Swaps:
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Replace plastic vases with hand-thrown pottery or carved wood.
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Opt for baskets made of jute or seagrass instead of storage bins.
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Swap synthetic table runners for linen or cotton.
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Trade up to bamboo trays, wooden utensils, and glass jars.
Natural materials bring a grounded warmth to your space that no shiny plastic ever could.
4. Dried Herb Décor: Rustic, Aromatic, and Soothing
Nothing says “calm” quite like dried herbs hanging delicately in your kitchen or displayed in vases. It’s a mood, a scent, and a design statement all in one.
DIY Dried Herb Bundles:
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Choose herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, or eucalyptus.
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Tie them together with cotton string or twine.
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Hang upside down in a dry, shaded space for 1–2 weeks.
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Display in a vase, hang in the kitchen, or make your own herb wreath.
Try This Twist: Add dried cotton buds for a cloudlike softness and visual contrast. They look dreamy in mason jars or bundled with twine, and they last for ages.
5. Create Wellness Rituals Around Cleaning
Turn your cleaning routine into a self-care ceremony. Light a candle or diffuse essential oils. Put on a playlist that gets you dancing between dusting. Let the sunlight in. Cleaning can be meditative, even joyful, when you make it a ritual instead of a race.
Add a Rewarding Finale:
After all the wiping, scrubbing, and rearranging, treat yourself. Pour a glass of Prosecco and sit down to admire your fresh new space. Cheers to your effort and your environment. You’ve earned every bubble.
6. Flower Arranging as Therapy
Who needs therapy when you’ve got sunflowers, thistle, and greenery? (Okay, therapy is great too—but hear me out.) Flower arranging is a wildly satisfying, sensory experience. It encourages creativity, patience, and connection with the natural world.
Use stone or ceramic vases paired with wooden coasters for a rustic touch. Mix bold blooms like sunflowers with soft cotton buds or unexpected textures like berries and eucalyptus for a modern-farmhouse vibe. Display them where you’ll see them daily—a little joy goes a long way.
7. Start a Kitchen Herb Garden
Want to feel like a chef, even if your go-to dinner is scrambled eggs? Start a mini herb garden on your kitchen counter. Fresh herbs aren’t just flavorful—they’re aromatic, decorative, and wellness-boosting.
Best Countertop Herbs:
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Basil (for pasta nights)
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Mint (for tea or cocktails)
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Rosemary (for roasted veggies or breads)
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Thyme (for everything, honestly)
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Parsley (for that finishing flourish)
Use terra cotta or concrete pots on a wood or metal tray. It’s functional and fashionable. Plus, nothing feels better than snipping fresh herbs for your own meal. That’s farm-to-table… without leaving the kitchen.
Bonus Fun: Spring Cleaning as Couple’s Therapy
Here’s a relationship hack nobody talks about: spring cleaning can double as date night. Crank up your favorite playlist, grab the broom like it’s your mic, and unleash your inner rockstars. One of you on mop vocals, the other on vacuum guitar—suddenly, cleaning becomes a full-blown concert. Laughter? Check. Endorphins? Flowing. Floors? Spotless. Honestly, it’s cheaper than couples counseling and comes with a cleaner house.
Spring isn’t just a season—it’s a state of mind. So let this be the year you not only clean your house, but elevate it. Make it greener, calmer, and a little more you. From sustainable swaps to sun-drenched arrangements and sprigs of fresh herbs on the sill, your home can be your haven—one intentional touch at a time.
For now, cheers—I’m sending this article to my hubby to set a spring cleaning date!
– Maxwell
