Mid-March welcomes the second semester, pollen allergies, an itching for spring break, and a billow of new beginnings and fresh starts. However, hay fever won’t be the only phenomena swaying your mood; the fresh-start effect also begins to set in motion as we approach this season of clean slates. 

The “fresh-start” effect provides insight into periods when our drive is likely to be particularly high – our motivation fluctuates according to circumstance, such as the New Year or the new school year.  A clean slate incentivizes newfound opportunities to dismiss defeats, loses, or failures we experienced in the prior season. Separation between our past selves and our new and improved selves encourage us to nurture and take advantage of this outset.  The landmark in time ignites the intuitive sense to initiate new undertakings – this effect bestows justification in endeavors such as spring cleaning. 

Spring is a special season; you disembark the aircraft of winter and step out into longer days, temperate weather, plants and flowers blooming, and animals awakening from hibernation. Springtime is often referred to as the rebirth of Earth due to revival across all forms of life and nature. Moreover, seasonal depression may be very common during the fall and winter months – with a stronger, more vibrant sun, individuals feel rejuvenated and spirited. Sunlight enhances the chemical serotonin in our brains, which makes us euphoric. As a consequence of these novel beginnings, the urge to create a significant distance between our current self and our flawed former self evokes spring cleaning as a solution to declutter our space and mind. This constructed atmosphere of calm and reset satisfies our desires to outrun contemporary commotion and disarray. By partaking in spring cleaning, productivity seems more attainable, and focusing will come easier. The state of your space is the state of your mind – although the platitude may be overused and meaningless now, truth is still affirmed in this statement. Spring cleaning can result in a peaceful environment where tranquility and productivity is promoted. Mental space is heavily influenced by physical space; by decluttering, cognitive clear thinking is far more effortless to achieve. 

The motivation that spring sparks is truly a magnificent motivator in terms of setting new goals and bettering our character. Hasti Khodabandehlou (9) expands, “Springtime reminds me of change whether it is in nature or the 2nd semester for school; it definitely motivates me to be a better version of myself and take charge in improving!” For many, starting these habits and evolving as a person is strenuous and burdensome when there are no temporal landmarks –  it is often difficult to put your mind to the challenge when there is nothing to divide your new self from your former imperfect self. With the introduction of springtime and the fresh-start effect, many are able to distance themselves from past flawed variations of their character and start fresh with cleaning and cleansing of the mind.