There is a lot happening by the time we hit late April. You will have noticed the days stretch a bit longer, the air is not as thick with pollen (ugh…my allergies hate this time of year), and the temperatures seem to be smoothing out some from the March and early April swings. Everyone is talking about “spring cleaning,” and some are actually doing it.

But while we’re busy clearing out the physical clutter, this season offers a quieter invitation too: to do a little spring cleaning of the soul. Easter is still fresh in our minds with our celebrations of Christ’s resurrection, the joy we know in the promises of eternal life, the reminder that Christ brings life out of death and hope out of despair. But just like my New Year’s resolutions don’t magically get easier when the calendar flips to “January,” the emotional and spiritual clutter of everyday life doesn’t magically disappear just because the calendar says “Easter.”

There’s a reason why April (tax season) is “National Stress Awareness Month.” It’s a lot. Stress lingers and frustrations resurface. Worry creeps back in as the pace of life picks up before we’ve had a real chance to breathe that fresh springtime air.

That’s why this moment — right now, in late April — is the perfect time to pause and ask, “What needs to be cleared out so my soul can breathe again?”

For some, it’s the clutter of unprocessed emotions. Maybe it’s from carrying anxiety, disappointment, or frustration. There may be stress of a relational conflict that needs reconciliation. Spring invites you to name those feelings honestly before God and release them to His care instead of dwelling on them.

For others, it’s the clutter of overcommitment. Schedules fill up and you may be looking at summer sports or camps to keep the kids busy. Work deadlines hit us and weekends disappear, especially if you’re like me and have difficulty saying “no” when people ask me to help with something. Spring cleaning for the soul might mean reevaluating your commitments and asking, “What am I doing that is life-giving versus ‘soul-sucking’? What can I let go of so I can be more present where it matters?”

Lastly, for many of us, the clutter is often internal noise. It’s the constant stream of comparison, self-criticism, or guilt that weighs us down. Our Easter messages speak directly into that noise. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”We are not a “perfect” creation, not a “finished” creation; rather, in Christ, we are a new creation with room to grow, learn, and seek renewal day by day.

Spring cleaning for the soul doesn’t mean fixing everything. It means making space for God to do what only He can do. Here are a few suggestions to help you begin:

1. Take a quiet walk — not for exercise, but for reflection. Let creation remind you of resurrection;
2. Name one burden you’ve been carrying and intentionally place it before God in prayer;
3. Choose one habit, commitment, or worry to release, and trust God with the space it creates;
4. Let gratitude lead the way. Notice the small resurrections happening around you: a restored relationship, a moment of peace, a renewed sense of purpose. Celebrate the small things with thanksgiving to God.

Spring cleaning isn’t about perfection. It’s about making room. And the good news is that the risen Christ delights in filling that room with grace, peace, and renewed hope. As the world around you continues to grow and blossom, allow your soul to find space and breathe again. May this season of resurrection become a season of renewal for you as well.

Rev. Alan Shaw is an Assistant Pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC and a part-time Transitional Interim Minister at Peace Lutheran Church in Goldsboro, NC. He is a retired Army officer and serves as a resource for the SED and LCMS with Christian Conciliation training, workshops, and reconciliation cases. He can be reached at alan@restoringharmonyllc.com.