5 steps to spring clean your office for a fresh start

5 steps to spring clean your arbeitszimmer for a fresh start5 steps to spring clean your office for a fresh startSpring is in the air and Im feeling motivated to get organized for the busy season ahead. Its a good time of year to ensure that your workspace is an inviting, calm, and productive space for you to focus.Whether you work from a home office like I do, or youre in a more formal office space with coworkers, here are 5 easy steps to create a beautiful office space that actually inspires you to get to workDeclutterBefore you add pretty elements to any workspace, you have to clear the clutter. I went into fullMarie Kondomode this January after binging her Netflix series, and it feels SO good to have a place for every single thing in my home office. Make sure youve got drawers, folders, or boxes to store things in and keep everything out of sight and out of mind during the workday unless youre actively using them.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard co vering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreGretchen Rubins newest book,Outer Order, Inner Calm,provides over 150 short, concrete, clutter-clearing ideas to bring peace of mind to your workspace. Im a big groupie of many of her former books, which I often find myself recommending on this blog, too. So if youre looking for more ideas for kicking clutter to the curb, I highly recommend you check hernew bookout.Go GreenGet yourself a plant baby, girl Bringing a real, living plant into your workspacehas been shownto significantly reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and hostility among coworkers.As someone who personally had a black thumb for as long as I can remember, let me tell you its worth figuring out how to keep a plant alive.Plus, at this time of year home improvement stores are practically overflowing with great plant options that are easy to keep alive. If you have lots of natural light in your workspace, try a succulent or cactus, which only need a lit tle bit of water once a week and thrive in lots of sun. Better yet, an air plant is even easier, and just requires a spritz of water once a week- not even soilDont have too much natural light in your office? Not to worry there are plenty of low-light options that can work for your space, too. Im a big fan of ivy since theyre hardy plants and also grow in a beautiful cascading vine. There are lots of ivy varieties, and my favorite are devils ivy or common ivy, both of which I have in my home.Set yourself a weekly alarm to be sure you water them, and every other week, mix in a little plant food to keep them growing strong.Let There Be lightThere is nothing more depressing than an overhead fluorescent office space lighting. Its no good for midday selfies, and its certainly not good for your mood, either. So think carefully about brightening up your lighting situation in your office.I shared my newdesk lamp I got at Target for only $24.99and still absolutely love that thing. The brilli ant move was shopping in the kids decor section, where lighting options were just as cute, but half the price from the grown-up office supplies sectionYou might also look into incorporating string lights,fairy lights, or even a nice candle for your desk, where a little extra flicker can set a warm and inviting mood.Word Art That InspiresBradTheBoo always teases me for my love of word art, but I dont care if it makes me basic. I love a good inspiring quote, dang it Especially when the inspiring phrase or wording is truly meaningful to you.The Bossed Up Manifestois always on display in my office, reminding me of the core values of this community, and motivating me to be the boss of my life and career.Personal PhotosAdding a personal touch to your office through the use of photos isnotcliche. Rather, photos can serve as a powerful reminder of why youre working so hard each and every day and truly, whats most important in life.I recently arranged some of my favorite wedding photos snap ped by our guests themselves using theFujifilm Instax camerawe had out throughout our celebration into a framed collage. I love looking at them and thinking back on whata fun, love-filled wedding we hadand seeing so many beloved friends and family members in one frame together.How might you spring clean your workspace this season?Id love to hear what strategies work best for you or better yet, Id love to see them Tag me atemilieariesorbossedup.orgonFacebook,Twitter, orInstagramto show me your spring cleaning office inspiration nowThis article first appeared on BossedUp.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people