When it comes to summer, we all have 'The List.' The list that has everything that we want to accomplish, everything that we want to do over the next few months. No matter if we physically write it down or just make a quick mental note, we make goals of to-dos such as going on vacation, working on the summer bod, spending the day at the beach or getting through a book or two. Whether or not we achieve everything on 'The List' is a whole other story.

Of course, we most likely find the time to do all the fun things there is to do or try. It is usually not numbered for we skip around, but we usually tend to put summer cleaning on that very list, too. Redoing your rooms, or perhaps multiple rooms. Going through your clothes and possessions, tidying up and making room for the new and getting rid of the old and unwanted, or perhaps 'un-needed.'

1. A Pumped Beginning

When you are first getting started, you are pretty pumped. Giving yourself pep talks and ensuring that you can do this. You dive right in and start making progress pretty quickly... At least at first.

2. Trips Down Memory Lane

After getting the grove and hang of things, you start to dwindle. It takes a bit more time. You stop to look at things; pictures, clothing or objects, and you start to, "Oh, I remember this." Then you succumb to the good ole' times.

3. The Internal Debate

This stage is typically after a memory trip but not always. You look at something and making decisions become not as easy or as quick. You begin to question yourself, "Should I get rid of this or should I keep it?" Keep in mind, would you ever wear it?

4. The External Debate

Sometimes we are in luck to be in company, whether that company is help or just there to be in companionship. Regardless, they can be deemed helpful. If you cannot get far with your decision, they can always answer, "What do you think? Should I get rid of this?" Then of course, it might take a few extra minutes to finally decide after putting both debates under thoughtful considerations.

5. A 'Don't Bother Me' Stage

The times when you are working and then someone is bothering you or wanting you to do something under the presumption that you can easily do so, forgetting that you are trying to clean. The 'being busy' sign is out of order.

6. The 'Why Cant I just Be Done Already' Stage

About halfway through, you get to the stage where you want to be done already. You thought that going through EVERYTHING was going to be easy and would not have taken as long as it has already and the fact that you are still not done, makes you realize that you definitely thought wrong.

7. Break Time. Break Time. Break Time.

Enough said.

8. 'Oh, Just get rid of it. I Don't Care' Stage

So after mentally kicking yourself about the process, you begin to get into the groove again. Despite this, you are also exhausted and just want to be done already and so you begin to look at one thing and quickly decide. A lot of the time it is in favor of the garbage. Your decisions begin to come quick as you realize it might not be as important to you, or at least not have significance need or want.

9. Rearrangement 2.0

This is the stage that can rear its head at any time. You make significant progress rearranging and straightening just to move on and realize that what you just did is not going to work. There are several reasons as to why. What you planned on moving to that spot either does not look right or does not fit. You figure what you had there last time looks better there, or there is the fact that the new space does not look as good or something different can go in its place.

10. Back To Being Pumped

Hallelujah! You are finally finished. You have trash bags filled. You forget all about the complaining and the tiresome moments. You're just happy that your summer cleaning can be checked off the list until next time.

Few Months Later...

Time goes by and things are still looking pretty good at the moment. Give it a little more time and you might not be able to say that, but that can always wait for Spring Cleaning. Although things are looking good, you might have dabbled with the, "I can't believe I threw that out," or even experienced a detailed search and made a mess, just to realize that you got rid of what you were looking for months ago.