In a season of blooming flowers and chirping birds, change is on the horizon with new beginnings of life, season and future approaching quickly.
Along with spring cleaning and preparing for the summer season, it’s also crucial to dust off the skeletons in the closet and let go of things that no longer serve you in this new season.
When leaving things behind, this spring is a good time to reflect and lighten your load. Below are some examples of things I’m doing to bring spring cleaning into my life and prioritize my own mental health.
Leaving behind the thought that rest is not productive
Partially driven by American capitalism and the connection to the corporate 9-5 working life, we have become so ingrained that the only way to be productive is to be doing something.
However, it’s also true that the less you rest, the less productive overall you will be. According to Gallup, an estimated $44.6 billion is correlated with those who get poor sleep, an estimated 7% of the U.S. workforce.
So next time you feel like taking a break is hugely consequential to the amount of work you get done, remember it may be the opposite if you don’t take a minute to stop and breathe.
Letting go of drinking to stay cool
Let’s face it, college campuses across America have a large culture of drinking, partying and general exploration of risky business. Even so, there’s a large association between drinking and being able to make friends.
According to the Public Health Institute, a 2025 study found over half of college students reported alcohol-related harms from others. Not only are you compromising personal identity, but also exposing yourself to an increased risk of harm.
I’m here to tell you that is not the case, and if you feel a friend or someone is pressuring you to drink, then they aren’t a friend you should waste your time with. Someone you sat next to in a class who becomes a study buddy or even a friend at trivia night on Court Street can become a great companion.
Stop letting other people determine your self-worth
This one is especially applicable to women and the relationships college-aged girls have with each other. It’s so easy to put yourself in perspective with what clothes, nails, followers or other things people have, when in reality your own value comes from within.
A lot of this is in accordance with social media, with an increase in screen time correlated to both cyberbullying and general bullying behavior, according to UNESCO.
So, in other words, remember your worth. You have value, you matter, and more than anything, you are a unique flower with its own bloom, not to be generalized by how you look from other people’s perspectives.
The value of choice is a grand old thing, and I think being able to drive the change you want to see is an important part of taking control of personal happiness.
Commit to celebrating the small wins in each day
I’m a big proponent of celebrating everything, even if it is the little things. Life is more fulfilling with joy and whimsy.
Those moments matter more than you realize. There’s real science behind celebrating them, according to Southern New Hampshire University.
In reality, life is far too short to let things go uncelebrated, and you work too hard not to appreciate your mind, soul and body carrying you through the semester. Hit the confetti cannon!
Give compliments to other people
Another thing I personally hope to bring in this season is giving compliments to others, just for fun. Not only does it strengthen personal social skills, but according to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, it also acts as positive self-esteem for both parties.
Uplifting others costs nothing, and I think personally it makes one a generally happier person. Similarly to celebrating the little wins, it also makes everyday life more fun. Sharing the love with other people could easily make their day, and that is more important than anything.
Throw casual dance parties
To round out my list of things we should be bringing in and letting go of this season, I propose casual dance parties. Don’t wait for a Friday night pre-game when you could wait for your cup of coffee to brew or brush your teeth at night with a funky soundtrack.
According to an article from Harvard Medical School, movement has been found to be positive for neurological coordination, even for patients with Parkinson's disease. Although many of us don’t suffer from this quite yet, the link between dance as therapy is real and ever-changing. Science has the ability to discover new things constantly, especially when it comes to improving mental health. Who knows where we will be years from now! Start building habits.
While the birds are chirping and the spring season has begun, think about some of these ins and outs for the current season as new parts of your life to adopt. Just as flowers are blooming, you can bloom new habits too.
With love,
Emily
Emily Stokes is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Emily at es542222@ohio.edu
