The March List

March is the month where we get our first taste of spring.  We start to see daffodils poking up through the ground and cherry blossoms begin to bloom.  The sun feels warmer and we start itching to get outside. 

As I eagerly wait for warmer days, I like to start planning.  I make lists of things I need to deep clean, plants I want to plant, and things I want to do once the weather stops raining and snowing.  While it can be easy to get caught up in all the list making, staying organized and actually getting things done can be a challenge. 

That’s why I find using a monthly to do list helps me stay on track and continue to make progress towards my long term goals of creating a simplified and organized life.

If you need help starting your own to do list, never fear.  I’ve put together a list of tasks I suggest completing in March.  Feel free to print my list and add any other personal tasks that need to be done!

 

Here’s a suggested list of things to do this March to keep your home maintained and organized:

Prepare for spring cleaning

Whether you tackle spring cleaning in March or April, it’s a good idea to have a plan for what you would like to accomplish.  Maybe your baseboards need a good clean or your oven still has baked on sweet potatoes from Thanksgiving.  Either way, the easiest way to figure out what you need to do is to walk room by room with a pen and paper and write down anything you see that needs to be deep cleaned. 

In my home, I know it’s been a while since I’ve moved the furniture to vacuum underneath. But walking room to room I notice that the window tracks have accumulated grime from the winter and my bathroom ceiling fan could use a clean.  I’ll write all these items on a list so that once I start tackling spring cleaning, I won’t forget what needs to be done. 

If you can’t figure out where to start and need a cheat sheet, you can download my FREE Spring Cleaning Checklist here.  

Take donations to a donation center

Do you have a bag or box of donation items that has been hanging out in your closet (or worse, your car) for weeks? Now is the time to take it straight to the donation center once and for all. And if there’s anything else floating around your home that you need to donate, grab that too. It will feel so good to have the space back again!

Easter Plans

If you celebrate Easter, take a few minutes early in the month to plan out what you would like to do for the holiday.  If you have anything that you need to purchase, do that now so you can relax as you get closer to the holiday.  If you have plans to host, make a list of things that need to be done in your home before you can open the doors to welcome guests. 

Refresh rooms for spring

March is the perfect month to shake up your decor to reflect the lighter, brighter days.  Simply walking around your house and and making simple swaps can give your home an entirely new feel. Here are some ideas for refreshing your living spaces:

• swap out couch pillow covers for lighter, brighter colors
• add a bouquet of fresh daffodils or tulips to the dining table
• place a bowl of fresh lemons in the kitchen
• put away dark throw blankets or decorative objects
• change out sheets and duvet to a crisp white linen
• declutter, declutter, declutter! Nothing feels fresher than empty space

Update your morning routine

How do you feel about your morning routine? Are there things you wish you could do to help start your day right?  Take a few minutes to jot down ideas for improving your current routine. Here are some ideas: 

• Add a quick 10 minute workout
• Drink coffee in silence
• Meditate
• Read for 10 minutes
• Journal
• Start a load of laundry
• Unload the dishwasher
• Write for 20 minutes

Create a spring capsule wardrobe

If you are feeling bored with your current winter wardrobe, you might want to consider creating a capsule wardrobe for spring.  Capsule wardrobes are simply a collection of clothes and accessories that can all be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits.  Usually, they have a smaller number of items than a traditional clothing wardrobe and are often focused around a specific, simplified color palate.

While I don’t recommend a specific number of pieces (this can vary person to person!) I do recommend that people strive to reduce the number of items they can see when they look in their closet.  Choose items that all fit within a tight color palate and fit the season.  Pick your favorites! Pick items that make you feel good when you wear them. Anything that you can’t see yourself wearing in the next 3 months should be packed up in boxes and stored at the top or bottom of your closet. 

Once you have reduced your items into a capsule collection, consider organizing by color to create uniform and inspiring closet that will make you want to get dressed every morning.

Purge duplicate cleaning supplies

If the cleaning cupboard is starting to look like the aisles of Walmart, then it’s time to reduce your hoard of cleaning supplies.  A good place to start is by eliminating duplicates.  Do you have 3 Mrs. Meyer’s sprays gathering dust? Pick your favorite and give away the others.  While you could technically use the items, it might take months to years to get through everything.  In the meantime, pass along your extra items to a friend or find a charity that collects unused cleaning supplies.

Then make a vow to keep extra items at the store and remember that it’s OK to run out of something before you buy more.

Plan for spring gardening

Whether you have a full backyard vegetable garden or a small balcony with a few pots, March is the time to think about planting.  Start by assessing where you are.  What do you hope to accomplish? Draw diagrams and make lists of things you need to do.  If you need to make a planting plan, do so now.

If you are a container gardener, now is a great time to purchase new planters.  Often you can get the best deal and best selection when you shop early!    

Organize your nightstand

When was the last time you cleaned out your nightstand?  If it’s been a while, consider tackling this 10 minute project that is sure to give your mornings and evenings a boost.  Here’s the steps I follow to complete this project:

1. Remove everything from the drawers, the top, and floor around your nightstand.  Dump all these items on your bed.
2. Categorize items and put like with like.  Put all books and magazines in a pile, put hand creams and night serums together, etc.  If you find items that don’t belong in your nightstand, make a grouping of items that need to be taken back to the room they belong in.
3. Declutter anything you no longer need.  Recycle old magazines, throw away trash, donate anything you no longer use or love.
4. Organize the space by putting things back by category.  Put like things together and consider repurposing containers or drawer dividers you already own to give each type of item a container. 

While this may only take minutes, completing this bite size task is incredibly motivating and will help you feel ready to tackle larger organization projects!

Looking for a way to track these to-do items?  Download your own copy of the March List

Click here to download a printable copy of the March List and use the extra empty bullet points to write in any personal to do’s

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