Oosouji is the ancient Japanese ritual of the 'great cleansing' before entering a new stage or cycle.    

Your mother calls it… spring cleaning/old wardrobe change; a weekend of mopping and Cristasol. The Japanese add an extra touch of Zen and mental health, like to everything they do.  

And given that we change seasons , that you have your humble abode turned into a circus that is only missing the tent and that your closet is a portal to another dimension where you only find fat socks...  

It is the perfect time to put a little order in your house... and in what is not your house.

10 Tips for practicing an Oosouji adapted to the current times.

1. A self-date with @Oosouji (no, not an OF account)

If you are serious about knitting and apart from the good weather, reserve the time it deserves.  

A weekend may be too much but a good 6-8 hours, no one is going to take them away from you, so turn off your cell phone, put on your favorite music, a good tracksuit or comfortable clothing, and throw yourself in and... get busy!

2. Roomba-type automatic cleaning mode: ON 

Since a cathartic day awaits you, it's best not to leave too much space for the coconut and simply let yourself flow and #fuckingclean.  

The Japanese do it from far (the last room of the house) to near (the entrance), from top to bottom (of the room) and in a clockwise direction. This way you avoid going aimlessly from one closet to another and you will have a clear idea of ​​how much you have left to finish.

3. What does not contribute is cut (practical minimalism)

Arm yourself with trash bags (to throw away) and boxes (to donate) because the idea is that you're going to fill quite a few.  

Every object from the past that already had its time, use and function in your life... is thrown away. Less getting nostalgic with clothes you never wear and junk 'just in case' and more see you later Mari Carmen! 

4. Stepped past, in the digital too

When you're done with the house, it's time to review your networks and removable memories to delete things that don't pass our good taste filter right now. Photos with your ex, comments that have aged regularly, selfies that make us grind our teeth... 

5. Garlic for emotional vampires

And since you're on your cell phone, don't forget to also throw away all those vampire relationships that suck all your energy and good spirits. Delete contacts on your mobile, dating apps, block profiles, silence WhatsApp conversations that make you lazier than the Zara mannequins... .  

The only toxic one that interests us is Britney Spears.

6. I don't owe anyone anything

If you can and have it easy, invite outstanding debts out of your life: from the electricity bill, to books and movies that you borrowed, your mother's Tupperware or the bizum from last weekend's drinks.  

Zero balance for your new spring version

7. “Sorry, I can't do it in two weeks.”

It doesn't hurt that you also review everything you committed to... before you have decided to start from scratch.  

You don't have to go to that meeting of uni classmates, to that meeting, to that event... if you don't feel like it. Learning to say no in advance is an addictive and uplifting adrenaline rush for the new you.

8. Reconnect with your comfort zone

“Get out of your comfort zone,” they say. But…  

Because? For what? No, thanks. With what it has cost us to build it, furnish it and keep everything we keep in order in order, they don't even give us hot water from here until it is necessary. During Oosouji, it is better to reconnect, set up an altar and give space to all those things that make us feel safe and calm.

9. Cleansing yourself 

In addition to finally saying goodbye to the shower gels you stole on that rural getaway from the hotel and the half-empty bottles, we advise you to end your Oosouji day in the bathroom with a good shower and comprehensive physical cleansing.  

Not only because, at this point, I have been surrounded by dust all day; but to put a finishing touch to the whole ritual and so that your adrenaline goes down and the Zen peace in your body rises.

10. Oosouji: plan to renew inside and out

The fact of tidying up the house itself is the least important thing. Spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to kick the ass of everything you want out of your life and make room for the rest:  

• to the peace of mind of seeing everything clean and tidy 
• to a life without stress
• to the feeling of control over your life 
• to the pride of a job well done by you alone 
• Let's see a before vs. then in a matter of hours it gives you confidence to face other changes that will take more time but that you will no longer see as being so 'uphill' 
• …

Listen to the Japanese and the mothers: give wax and polish wax during spring cleaning.

PS: A clean face is worth more than 1,000 nudes, so if you feel like accompanying your spring cleaning with a “I eat your face” effect cleanser…  

Today's post is sponsored by our Splash Foam Party .  

A facial cleanser that leaves your skin hydrated, soft and clean of pimples, blackheads and everyday impurities, while you throw an apple-scented foam party in the bathroom.