At the moment Marie Kondo's book the The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up appears to be all the rage. While some people might argue that it the need to declutter is limited to over-consumers and materialistic people, I disagree. People who spend their funds wisely can also benefit from a clear out whether it be spiritual, emotional or physical.
I'm not a huge spender, I don't mind getting books and some clothes on Ebay instead of brand new, and I hate throwing perfectly useful things away for the sake of it. I've been known to repair a beloved backpack that I've had for 15 years even though there are a multitude of options out there with heaps more gadgets. Simple works for me.
But, I also notice a huge difference in mindset when my home is light, airy, tidy and vacuumed (who knew that the trusty old vacuum cleaner was so powerful!). Similarly, I also notice I am more likely to feel grumpy, frustrated and overwhelmed when my car has paperwork (that should be in a filing cabinet) still under the seat, sand from the beach and a light coating of dust on the dashboard.
Thankfully, there is a quick-fix option which can help.
Whenever I take the time to physically clean, dust and sort out my sh*t, and interesting thing happens. The mind clutter dissipates, I can think clearly and usually some unresolved issue comes up to be addressed.
The most striking example of this was a few years ago when a situation had been brewing with a friend. For weeks I'd been mulling over how to best communicate my needs without hurting their feelings but still felt restless, undecided about how to go forward and frustrated. As it happened, that day I also decided to clean my car thoroughly. I cleaned inside and out, scrubbed the tyres, wiped down the insides of the doors, put away anything that didn't belong. I felt good! Next thing I knew that friend called. I had the chance to voice my thoughts and the situation was resolved once and for all.
Since that day, I've observed the changes each time I do a thorough clean of my desk, my computer, my car or my home and more often than not, something has shifted, changed, evolved or been resolved.
Clearing things out can be good for any part of your life you feel is stuck, stagnant, or in need of shake up. In her powerful book Calling in the One, Katherine Woodward Thomas speaks highly about the metaphysical consequences of creating space for a new relationship. She recommends giving or throwing away any gifts and momentos of previous relationships, emptying or creating a few drawers in your bedroom cupboard, and creating time in your life which can be left free and open for a relationship. It doesn't all have to be hippy-hippy-woo-woo. On a very practical level, how keen would you be on someone who had their ex's photos tucked away in corner, every room in the house overflowing with their belongings and was too busy working to schedule in a date night ?
But it doesn't have to all be about relationships. Doing a clear out might be about going to your garage or storage shed and finally letting go of high school momentos which could be linking you unnecessarily to the past or outgrown dreams., It could involve throwing away a gift from a family member who never had your best interests at heart in the first place, or getting all the business invoices and receipts from your car and filing them away for tax time.
In the same way that your friends can reflect your relationship with yourself, so too do your belongings.
By aiming to only keep things that support your happiness, bring you joy or make your life easier (yes, this includes tax receipts) in some way you are opening yourself up to focus only on the positive and nourishing aspects of your life and continuing to receive more of the same.
What do you choose to value or let go of today?
For more self-care and nourishing tips, sign up to my blog on the right to receive directly in your inbox.
For a serious dose of self love in 2016 sign up for my 6 week online Crisis to Connection Course. For more details click here
I'm not a huge spender, I don't mind getting books and some clothes on Ebay instead of brand new, and I hate throwing perfectly useful things away for the sake of it. I've been known to repair a beloved backpack that I've had for 15 years even though there are a multitude of options out there with heaps more gadgets. Simple works for me.
But, I also notice a huge difference in mindset when my home is light, airy, tidy and vacuumed (who knew that the trusty old vacuum cleaner was so powerful!). Similarly, I also notice I am more likely to feel grumpy, frustrated and overwhelmed when my car has paperwork (that should be in a filing cabinet) still under the seat, sand from the beach and a light coating of dust on the dashboard.
Thankfully, there is a quick-fix option which can help.
Whenever I take the time to physically clean, dust and sort out my sh*t, and interesting thing happens. The mind clutter dissipates, I can think clearly and usually some unresolved issue comes up to be addressed.
The most striking example of this was a few years ago when a situation had been brewing with a friend. For weeks I'd been mulling over how to best communicate my needs without hurting their feelings but still felt restless, undecided about how to go forward and frustrated. As it happened, that day I also decided to clean my car thoroughly. I cleaned inside and out, scrubbed the tyres, wiped down the insides of the doors, put away anything that didn't belong. I felt good! Next thing I knew that friend called. I had the chance to voice my thoughts and the situation was resolved once and for all.
Since that day, I've observed the changes each time I do a thorough clean of my desk, my computer, my car or my home and more often than not, something has shifted, changed, evolved or been resolved.
Clearing things out can be good for any part of your life you feel is stuck, stagnant, or in need of shake up. In her powerful book Calling in the One, Katherine Woodward Thomas speaks highly about the metaphysical consequences of creating space for a new relationship. She recommends giving or throwing away any gifts and momentos of previous relationships, emptying or creating a few drawers in your bedroom cupboard, and creating time in your life which can be left free and open for a relationship. It doesn't all have to be hippy-hippy-woo-woo. On a very practical level, how keen would you be on someone who had their ex's photos tucked away in corner, every room in the house overflowing with their belongings and was too busy working to schedule in a date night ?
But it doesn't have to all be about relationships. Doing a clear out might be about going to your garage or storage shed and finally letting go of high school momentos which could be linking you unnecessarily to the past or outgrown dreams., It could involve throwing away a gift from a family member who never had your best interests at heart in the first place, or getting all the business invoices and receipts from your car and filing them away for tax time.
In the same way that your friends can reflect your relationship with yourself, so too do your belongings.
By aiming to only keep things that support your happiness, bring you joy or make your life easier (yes, this includes tax receipts) in some way you are opening yourself up to focus only on the positive and nourishing aspects of your life and continuing to receive more of the same.
What do you choose to value or let go of today?
For more self-care and nourishing tips, sign up to my blog on the right to receive directly in your inbox.
For a serious dose of self love in 2016 sign up for my 6 week online Crisis to Connection Course. For more details click here
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