I mean really…who doesn’t feel better looking at the “after” photo?
This is a second installment for my “Spring Cleaning” series, since I’m feeling particularly motivated to toss things after our move. It makes me feel so much better to get rid of stuff, and staring at endless boxes makes me realize I don’t need so much. When I clear my space, I feel less anxious, more calm.
There’s a link between our overall happiness and our clutter. I studied Feng Shui for years (I’m certified y’all—hit me up if you’d like your home or office in alignment!). And it’s interesting to note the principle behind the rules of Feng Shui –
it’s all about the movement of the energy (chi) through your home, and how you affect the flow of chi as well. (Yes, the people living in the space are also part of the overall Feng Shui of the house!)
If you want to keep energy moving optimally through your space – and this means greater health, happiness, creativity, you name it – then it’s REALLY important to get rid of the clutter. If you have stacks of books that you’ll get around to reading one day, or piles of clothes sitting out (because what’s the point of folding them and putting them away when you’re just going to wear them again?), then PLEASE find a place to put them or toss them out! Those books are not going to read themselves, and if it’s been years and you haven’t cracked one, then time to go.
Our physical spaces are reflections of what’s going on in our minds.
If we feel overwhelmed, anxious, burdened, or stuck, chances are, we hold on to more things, we let clutter accumulate, and we procrastinate in our lives.
If only…
Let me give you an example. I keep a pretty clutter-free house, because having stuff everywhere annoys me. Except for my desk. This is the constant sore spot for me – no matter how many organizers and pretty things I get to keep my stuff in, it is always chaotic. (Hmm…wonder what that means?) I get overwhelmed with projects, I procrastinate, I check social media, and I put off my to do list. Bills pile up. Projects are spread out in piles. I cannot seem to get out from under my own mess. So, I check social media again.
To break this cycle, I’ve taken to a strategy: when I’m feeling “stuck” creatively, I clean. Maybe I reorganize the desk drawer so I can find a USB stick or paper clip again. Maybe I go through the stack of papers and file them away. Or, sometimes I pull out the shredder and toss those old receipts, or rearrange my pictures. Little by little, I tackle something in my work area. It’s like clearing out those cobwebs in the brain to make room for something inspired.
And I have to say, clearing out usually results in a breakthrough, however small.
Maybe I feel more motivated to write. Maybe I get an idea for a blog post. Maybe a new project comes my way.
The reverse is true, too: if I let the clutter on my desk pile up, I procrastinate more, I feel blocked, and I can’t really see my way forward. I feel depressed, overwhelmed – and even less able to deal with the things on my plate. It is weird but true for me – the physical act of clearing out, letting go, helps me disengage with my mental baggage, too. I don’t feel so weighed down, so I’m able to think more clearly – to move forward.
I urge you to do the same. Just experiment and see what happens.
If there’s a closet you are scared of going through, it’s usually tied to something you aren’t emotionally or mentally ready to let go of. (For those of us who’ve seen the show Hoarders, we know this theory.) It might be tied to a relationship you aren’t letting go of, or a grudge you are holding on to. When you can’t bring yourself to do something scary in your personal life – like letting go of that toxic relationship – then try clearing your stuff first. Find a place for what you love in that overstuffed closet, or let it go. The physical act of ridding yourself of those things no longer serving you actually affects your mental/ emotional space. It is a first brave step in cultivating more happiness in your life.
XO,
Kelly
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
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