I seem to have a tiny problem. As much as I want to embrace a clutter-free life, I keep buying more stuff. I get into a phase where I am looking through the house for things to donate or to give away. I purge freely, happy to have the space and empty drawers. But I’m also piling up craft supplies and unread books and new clothes. Sigh. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Zulily, but I am addicted to their bargains. Our mailman probably hates me. I’ve decided to forgive myself in advance for this because… well, who really cares?
What are our real treasures in life? People for sure. Perhaps experiences with those people. Certainly we each have a few items that are special to us.
Six years ago, when we were packing important items to take with us before a hurricane arrived, we crammed both of our cars with things. Of course we took tax returns, the cats with all their food/litter/crates, and photos, as well as water, toilet paper, canned food, sleeping bags. But when I looked around the house, I was afraid of losing any of it. I started stacking the pictures on our walls into my trunk. I wanted to take candlesticks and special cards I’d received and even certain books. I also had what I call a “Holocaust mentality,” wanting to take anything valuable just in case we never returned. The hindrance then was fear.
Now I would do it very differently. The three of us and our immediate needs are important. Everything else is replaceable. Tax returns and paperwork and most photos are digital. I think one car would cover it. We are the treasures.
Another part of Trust Your Vibes that spoke to me: Lighten up. If you want to live a six-sensory life, you must clear away everything that prevents you from tuning in to higher vibrations—that is, everything that takes up space or energy but doesn’t contribute to your life. This includes unnecessary and unwanted possessions, unfinished business, too many commitments, negative thinking, judgments, mental projections, resentments from the past, and negative associations in the present. If you pay attention to how things feel and what purpose they serve, you can get rid of anything that doesn’t feel good or serve you.
It’s like she knows about my aversion to clutter and my tendency to over-schedule myself! Sigh. It also seems irresponsible to be the kind of wasteful consumer that fills our homes with things we don’t love or need. Granted, with kids it’s a constant battle. At least for us it is. Our daughter’s projects and games are all over the place.
Trusting your vibes means not only insisting on a clear space, but also keeping your environment as simple as possible so that energy isn’t blocked or stuck in the past. Don’t hold on to things for sentimental reasons or because “you might need it one day.” This will just bog you down and cause you to miss the higher, lighter energies of spirit. Ruthlessly go through your stuff and get rid of everything that doesn’t feel positive. And remember that as long as we hold on to things, they hold on to us.
I think the key word here is “ruthlessly.” This reminds me that I wanted to toss all my old journals and a ton of kitchen stuff, like these corn holders. Yet another reason I dislike Texas… it’s stereotypes.
I have a small category of items that I am either holding on to “just in case” we need it, like strange-sized kitchen bowls and serving platters. Then there are the things other people made with their own hands, like a basket my mom made or a needlepoint my grandpa made that even has a personal note on the back. I don’t necessarily need or want these items, but I also don’t want anyone to take them from me, so it doesn’t harm me to keep them in a closet somewhere. I realize there are other emotions at work in the decision. Some of these items I’m just not ready to make a decision about and that’s ok too.
When you let go of your past, your present truth emerges. It takes a lot of energy to carry your history with you all the time, and it clouds your connection to the Divine. So choose to become extremely curious about your new story, in what God has in mind for you now and for tomorrow. Then decide not to let your past define you anymore.
I care less about our stuff. I am not attached to our bedspread or our picture frames or our lamps. Sure, I’ve created a nest that is personal to us, but the things themselves carry no sentiment. I feel free. I could give away 90% of our possessions and be completely fine. This knowledge reassures me that I am content (and that it’s ok to buy one more dress).
How about you?
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Clutter is a constant challenge in my life, and I totally believe that physical clutter impacts mental and spiritual “space.” My hair stylist has been working for 2 years to declutter and plan for a move from Minnesota to Hawaii, and conversations with her have inspired me to look at my stuff differently. Thanks for adding to my sources of decluttering inspiration!
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What an interesting move she will be making! That freedom sounds great to me. So many times I have moved so much stuff from one place to another, things that felt crucial to hang on to for some reason. It’s only now that I realize how little I need.
The best book I’ve ever read on clearing clutter was Unstuff Your Life. That guy was so good that, after reading his book, I was ready to give up just about anything. Worth a read! Your post is inspiring. It reminds me that I want to spend some time this weekend doing this. I had planned to make August a purging month, but halfway through I forgot about that goal and haven’t done much purging since. I did purge a bit in the kitchen recently since deciding as a family to eat less sugar but still, I’ve had a hard time dumping a freshly opened jar of Simply Jif (it has too much added sugar). For some reason, I could not bring myself to just toss it! Aren’t we so silly sometimes? I am going to go home and toss it!
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Thank you for the book recommendation, Amy. I have that requested at the library now. It’s interesting how these books inspire me to pack up a carload and take it to Goodwill! I think maybe I need to read one a month to keep the momentum.
I have been on a major purge for a few months – and it is freeing to say the least. I went through photo albums and got rid of damaged pictures, pictures I don’t know who are in them, or where I was, pictures where there were about 10 that were almost the same. I took 5 boxes of books to a thrift shop – these were hardbacks. Seven bags of clothes. A set of dishes, glasses, wow! It felt great. Now – when I get something new, I get rid of TWO things – it makes me think twice about what I bring into my house. I’m not finished, but I like not having so many things. Things you aren’t ready to get rid of – box them up and put them away – revisit later. I read several books by the minimalists – and started getting rid of things. I’vde written several blogs about how getting rid of things opens your mind up – I feel more creative, I have more time it seems – and I know I’m not finished!
It really is a process, like you say. So many times I think I have to do it all at once in a frenzy, but now I am looking at it in everyday life. As I come across something that we don’t really need anymore, I take a photo of it and post it on a list serve or put it by the back door to put into the garage where I have a donation box. I feel like making progress this way is still moving in the right direction. It really does open up your mental space to breathe easier, I agree!
Naomi, I read a similar post 1-2 weeks ago, by which I was inspired to declutter. I decided to clear my closet for 15 minutes & so I set a timer. It was SO helpful! I focused on keeping things in that I am currently using or likely to wear in the next few months. And then sorted the rest into give away/basement storage/etc, with permission to myself to process those things later. The items in my closet are now loose and accessible, which makes me feel good every day. So grateful for reminders of this useful topic, thank you.
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Great Blog post – really resonated with me this morning – especially since Mount Washmore is currently taking over my laundry room!!! “Trust your vibes” sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for commenting, Christine. “Mt. Washmore” is a regular fixture for most people… don’t worry. 🙂
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Oh I so need to purge. Especially in the tv/computer room in the basement. I find it so much easier when I have someone to help me. My daughter did a wonderful job on our storage room this summer. I was busy writing a blog post and told her to go at it. The one rule was to please ask me if she felt uncertain about pitching an item. We got rid of a ton of stuff and I can pass by that room now and feel happy. Just seeing it nice and organized makes me happy. Thanks for reminding me and nudging me to get on with this other room Naomi.
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What a great idea to get someone else who may be a bit more impartial to do it! And yes, I also like that feeling of seeing a decluttered space. It is a work in progress for sure.
I JUST commented on a similar post. Wow! This comes at such an appropriate time for me. sigh. I am dying to empty my house. And haven’t found this time. This has given me some new inspiration. thank you. Especially the lingering bedroom, full of memories of my mother’s things everywhere (who has passed away). it’s time! And it’s a good lesson
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It’s so hard to tackle emotional territory, I know. Start small and build up your momentum. I think doing one small task a day feels good. ONE bedroom drawer only or just my glove compartment in my car. Little victories! Good luck.
Had to send away too much clutter with the last big cleaning; it was all negative for me, so don’t want to do that again.
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This is a challenging lesson for me, so much baggage! I have too much clutter, especially in one spare bedroom. I think it is very helpful to focus on preserving the things that have emotional meaning. In my case, I’d want to save the Wedgewood Black Asia dishes that my mom and dad bought in 1954. I’d want to save a quilt that my grandma embroidered especially for me. There are not really that many such things. I agree that the financial records, photographs and books are better kept in digital form. The other things to keep are the ones that are immediately useful. I am going to sell/donate/discard nearly all the stuff I keep in town just a few years from now, when I move away. We don’t need all the junk, and won’t miss it when it’s gone. I think giving up the emotional baggage of the past is a lot more difficult, but I suspect you are right to say that getting rid of physical objects that are associated with those memories would be a good way to start on that journey. You’ve made me think about my baggage in a whole new way.
The words “clutter” and “baggage” are so negative. I think those things must go! Instead, keep small momentos of treasured memories. One person’s treasures are another’s clutter, don’t you think?