HOORAY FOR SPRINGTIME! ... time to GET 👏 IT 👏 TOGETHER 👏

Spring! The season of new beginnings, fresh blooms, and, attempting to tackle the mountain of junk that has accumulated over winter. As the weather finally shifts and the sunshine peeks through the clouds, don’t you feel the sudden urge to fling open the windows and embark on an aspirational spring-cleaning operation? The days grow longer, the warmth of the sun seeps into my skin, and there’s a sense of renewed energy and optimism in the air. It's time to blow away the cobwebs of complacency and bask in the potential that comes with a new start. Just as Mother Nature sheds her dirty old parka and bursts forth with vibrant color (Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.), so too do we shed the limitations of the past and embrace the endless possibilities of the present.

Fiddlehead ferns in my garden waiting to unfurl

Winter is a time of solitude, introspection, and lowered physical activity. Whether it’s a case of the winter blues or a diagnosable condition like Seasonal Affective Disorder, winter can be emotionally, socially, and psychologically tough on people. Sure, the holidays are plenty jolly, but they’re hectic & high-pressure, and they’re over a full two months before winter actually ends. Personally, I can’t take it. I grew up in Hong Kong - a tropical island off the Southern coast of China, where people bust out their NorthFace puffers when it gets down to 60 degrees. Even after 24 years of living here, I’ll never get used to the short, bleak days. Every year, without fail, I seriously ponder a move to California.

The concept of seasons - in nature, in our lives, and even within a woman's menstrual cycle - proves an awesome interconnectedness throughout the universe. The Earth moves through its annual cycle of spring, summer, fall, and winter, and we experience seasons in our lives, marked by growth, change, and transformation. Within the microcosms of our bodies, our cycles unfold in a rhythm mirrored by the changing landscapes of nature. There's a harmony to it all, isn't there? Whether it's starting a new job, a new romance, or pursuing a new passion, these periods of growth and expansion echo the vibrancy of springtime, filled with promise and potential.

I look at the arrival of Spring as my third chance for a “new” year. New Year's Day is way too literal, and too close to the rush of the holidays to give yourself the space you need to reflect & set intentions. A few weeks later comes a second chance with Lunar New Year (at least for me - and about two billion or so other Asians) to try for those resolutions. But it's the Spring Equinox that truly marks a turning point — when the flowers come up, there’s no denying that it’s TIME TO GET 👏 IT 👏 TOGETHER 👏. It’s time to take stock of where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go. Time to revisit resolutions and recommit to self-care. Have I given in to old habits or given up on new ones? Time to reassess what's working, what's not, and what I need to do to course-correct. It’s not just a change in weather; it's a shift in perspective, a time to reflect on my goals and aspirations and to recalibrate the path forward.

My biggest goal, pretty much every year, is to TIDY THE F UP. This Sisyphean task returns on the regular, with its never-ending cycle of cleaning and organizing repeating itself over and over.

I am not the poster child for neatness. I promise you that The Pearl will be as pristine as Kim Kardashian’s freakishly austere home, but I can’t say the same about my house. While I aspire to order, I give myself (probably too much) leeway. I’m busy! I’m starting a business! C’mon. But, I have to admit that there comes a point when the clutter starts to take its toll on my sanity.

My husband owns an incredible vintage record store in Brooklyn. 🎶 Our house is alive with the sound of music 🎵 The crackle of vinyl spinning on turntables fills the rooms, along with boxes full of classic rock, obscure soundtracks, and lots and LOTS of reggae. Hundreds (sometimes thousands) of records make their way in and out every week.

As a costume designer, my work stuff only adds to the disorder of our living space. Racks and racks of vintage clothes are crammed into our basement. It only gets worse when I’m in the middle of a project - our house becomes a makeshift repository for wayward costumes. My office, the hallways, and even the spare bedroom become a temporary storage spot for garments waiting to be fitted, altered, and worn on stage or screen. God knows I can’t get rid of anything, because I might need it in the future! Now, getting ready to open The Pearl, branded bags, t-shirts, hats, yoga mats, and Pilates equipment join the piles of stuff crowding us out.

Add two little girls to the mix with their multitude of toys, clothes, books, snacks, hair ties, art projects, and Squishmallows, and it’s a veritable asylum.

Where are all of Kim’s Squishmallows?

It’s important to set realistic goals and expectations when it comes to tidying because, let's face it, I’ll never live in a perfectly curated minimalist mansion à la Kim K. While we’re quick to compare ourselves to gorgeous spreads in Architectural Digest or mommy influencers showing off their tidy spaces, it's essential to remember that real life is messy, imperfect, and chaotic.

Messiness can be a sign of creativity at work. Any artist's studio or writer's desk is covered in a beautiful mess of paints, papers, and scribbled notes. Creativity thrives in environments where ideas are allowed to flow freely, without the constraints of rigid order. Messiness can even be a reflection of a life well-lived. Those haphazardly stacked piles of books on the table? Each one represents a journey of discovery, a world explored, a story absorbed. Sadly though, I can’t make the same romantic claim about a growing pile of unopened mail.

Living in a cluttered home can exacerbate feelings of overwhelm, stress, and shame, intensifying any existing emotional burdens. While decluttering isn’t a magical cure-all, it can certainly provide a mood lift and a sense of accomplishment.

Offer yourself a little kindness by making some time to clean up your physical and mental spaces. Instead of striving for perfection, I try to make manageable changes that bring even a small sense of order and calm to my surroundings. Maybe it's as simple as clearing the four used coffee mugs from my desk. The key is to set goals that are realistic and achievable, without putting undue pressure on yourself to achieve some unattainable standard of cleanliness. No accomplishment is too small when it comes to reclaiming your space.

It's also important to remember that tidying up is not a one-and-done event but an ongoing process. Just like us, our homes are constantly evolving and changing. Instead of seeing tidying as a chore to be checked off a list, try to look at it as an opportunity to create a place that reflects who you are and what brings you joy. I want to call a truce with the chaos and embrace the beautiful messiness of life. Set realistic goals, celebrate your victories, and remember that it's okay to have a few dirty dishes in the sink or a pile of laundry waiting to be folded. As much as I would love to have a clean and organized space, a little mess never hurt anyone, and sometimes, amidst the clutter is where the real beauty lies. So, while my house may sometimes resemble a scene out of a vintage fever dream (nightmare), filled to the brim with clothing, records, and painted-by-children-ceramics, it's a space where creativity thrives and memories are made.

My very messy desk at the time of this writing

There is a place though that we’ll all soon be able to escape to - a serene sanctuary where there are never wet towels on the bed, or multiple pairs of tiny Crocs scattered about the floor. (Cue Castle on a Cloud from Les Mis.) At the yoga studio, the air is filled with tranquility, and every corner exudes a sense of calm. Unlike our homes (covered in dog hair and laundry), the space is always pristine and clutter-free, inviting us to leave our worries at the door and step into a realm of absolute chill. The studio serves as a place where we can unburden our minds, nourish our bodies, and reconnect with our innermost selves. With its clean lines and peaceful decor, it provides the perfect backdrop for our practice, allowing us to breathe deeply, move freely, and find stillness. Aaaahhh, I can’t wait.

Spring cleaning though isn't just about scrubbing grout and dusting off our tchotchkes. It's also about taking care of yourself, inside and out. After a long, dreary winter filled with glum moods and uninspired days, I am in desperate need of some serious dusting off myself. What about spring cleaning for the mind and body? Just as we declutter our physical spaces, we can take stock of our mental clutter too. What habits, thoughts, or behaviors have become automatic during the winter months? And how can we update our routines to better support our mental health and well-being?

This season is all about embracing new beginnings, letting go of what no longer serves us, and basking in the beauty of fresh blooms and sunshine. So, as I embark on my spring clean, I'm also committing to prioritizing self-care along the way. Whether it's taking a two-minute break from the computer to look out the window or planning a catch-up session with a friend, I'm making a little bit of me-time a non-negotiable part of my routine. You can do the same by promising yourself an hour this week for whatever makes you feel fresh and new - be it organizing your house, enjoying a hot cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, or a nice, neat bikini wax. You do you!

Hooray for springtime! May your homes be clean-ish, your hearts be light, and your spirits be lifted as we usher in a season of renewal, growth, and endless possibilities. As we sit back and enjoy the cosmic spectacle unfolding around us, let's not forget to savor every moment — the laughter, the tears, and everything in between. May each day bring us closer to the people we are meant to be. Let’s find joy in the process of becoming.

All beings are

flowers

blossoming

In a blossoming universe

- Soen Nakagawa

Zen Buddist Master, 1904 - 1984