This past Saturday, March 20^th marked the beginning of spring with the Vernal Spring Equinox. Spring is the season associated with new beginnings and cleaning out the rummage of the past. People think of spring cleaning for their homes but neglect the area where they spend almost half of their waking hours, their offices. When was the last time you cleaned your office yourself?

Once we have something around for more than a week it becomes invisible to us. Take a moment and look around your office with fresh eyes as though you’re seeing it for the first time.

Is there clutter? Are you displaying knick knacks from years of gifts you didn’t want to put in your home? Do you have piles of paperwork around? This is the time to clear your office of clutter, knick knacks, and paperwork.

If you are working with victims of child abuse, sexual assault, or other violence, think about it from their perspective.  They have just gone through probably the worst event in their lives. They need to be surrounded with order and calmness. Disorganization and piles of paper convey a message that someone is overworked and stressed.

Your goal is to make your office a sanctuary for victims, a place where when they walk in they feel comfortable and ready to share about their experience. After you’ve cleaned your office, there are 2 required items you need to purchase or bring from home: a small lamp and a living plant.

Overhead lighting is cold and impersonal. Even adding a small $9.99 lamp adds a needed coziness and warmth to the space. Lastly, add a small house plant. Having something that’s living adds another dimension that fosters a comfortable environment. Plants are inexpensive at home improvement stores, so you can purchase a new one as the plant begins to age.

While the goal is to create a warm and nurturing environment for victims, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much better you feel and how much more you get accomplished in this newly streamlined space.

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