“Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor…it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.” Peter Walsh
It’s Spring ~ and time for another new beginning and a look at the toxicity of clutter around us and within us… the stuff that messes with our new beginnings and the outcomes we seek.
Think “toxicity” sounds a little harsh? Think about it as anything that negatively affects us. It can be something or someone in our environment at work or home. It can be physical “stuff” on our desk or in our closet crowding us out. It can be junk food in the cabinet. It can be that long, unfinished to-do list or anything that we’ve been procrastinating. It can even be our own negative thoughts trying to suck away our energy.
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” ~ Maria Robinson
Clutter is both draining and controllable. But it’s sneaky. It’s clever. It hides among all kinds of rationale: We might need this file or book sometime…it teases us that someday I might still want to wear that shirt or fit into that outfit…or someday I really should tell that person what I think…or it’s that decision you’ve been meaning to make but keep putting off…or an action still not taken that is lurking in the back of your mind.
“Clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships, and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self.” Eleanor Brown
Devious, crafty, and evasive, it cloaks itself in rationale, hiding amidst our busyness with other stuff. It grows, leaving behind an almost unconscious drain on our energy, leaving behind fatigue and overwhelm…. and goals not achieved.
“Get rid of clutter and you just may find it was blocking the door you’ve been looking for.” Katrina Mayer
So, where to start?
Look around you and within you and ponder these random questions for a spring re-boot:
- How is clutter getting in the way of the life I want to live or the person I want to be?
- How does the clutter around me affect my mood and energy?
- What drains me and preoccupies my thoughts: Do I have unnecessary fears or worries, unresolved conflicts, pending decisions, or is there the pressure of procrastination living in the back of my mind?
- Can I pinpoint what (or who) is draining me? What change can I make to ease the pressure?
- What do I want my life to look like? As I look around myself, I ask: Is this who I really am? Am I being true to myself, my beliefs, and my personal vision? Is physical clutter around me affecting my mental clarity?
- What in my physical space needs a good spring cleaning? Does my home and office reflect who I am?
- What’s cluttering my mind these days? Are there unfinished projects or decisions I’ve been postponing, actions I’ve been meaning to take, or have I been spending too much time on social media?
- How can I uplift and de-clutter my thoughts, energy, health, and relationships?
- What’s one change I can make today to take the first step toward springing forward, getting a breath of fresh air, and feeling a sense of freedom?
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy
Our days are getting longer, there’s more sunshine, and the energy of change and growth is all around us. Remember, getting rid of the clutter will make more space for what you truly love and for being your very best self.
Steve Jobs sums it up:
“We live in a world where our lives have too much clutter, too much chaos, and too much confusion that we become consumed by things that do not help us, things that do not move us forward…
“Remember that you are your greatest ally. Stack the odds in your favor and live with clarity.” Steve Jobs