Okay, am I the only one, or do you too sometimes struggle with letting go of old stuff? Oi vey… Although I regularly donate and recycle items, it is an ongoing process to downsize possessions and clear old clutter. Whew!
Now, the great
thing about this time of the year is that we have an opportunity to do some Spring Cleaning. Yep, there’s something in the air that gives many of us ENERGY to “SPRING” into ACTION and assess the things that physically inhabit our homes and offices.
I invite you, right now, to glance around the room that you’re in, look at your “stuff,” and then ask yourself:
A) “Is there anything here — that I am CLINGING TO — that no longer serves me or BRINGS ME JOY?”
B) Identify whether anything that catches your eye, fits into one of these three categories:
~ TREASURE, TRANSFORM, or TRASH ~
“Treasures” are things you keep. They still have a practical use — or they touch your heart in some way that brings you JOY. However, if these “Treasures” are taking up too much physical space, consider downsizing them by taking a photo of them and creating a scrapbook that you can continue to enjoy. Then, sell or donate them.
“Transform” items are the ones you take to a recycle center or donate. Whenever I donate things, I think about how much someone else will enjoy the item (especially books, which are especially hard for me to let go of).
“Trash” is tossed. These items aren’t recyclable or donation worthy.
Now, this is where we “SPRING” into Productive ACTION…
C) Get three large trash bags (or cardboard boxes) that you label:
1) Recycle 2) Donate 3) Trash
D) Turn on your favorite music and dance —> while filling each bag or box.
That was easier than you imagined, right? (If not, see my hot TIP at the end of this article*)
Now, did you know that there is another type of Spring Cleaning beyond the physical? Yep, I call it Emotional Spring Cleaning. Emotional Spring Cleaning is what I often do with clients in my private practice — year round.
I ask the ones who are seeking
tools for stress relief or weight loss:
“What are you CARRYING in your life that feels like a BURDEN?”
Then, our work consists of hoisting the burdens off the client’s shoulders, and onto the floor between us.
We metaphorically
let the burdens gently spill onto the floor
allowing each one to receive some LIGHT.
From this higher perspective…
we now let the “lightening-up” process begin.
We sit patiently together, identifying, sorting, and clarifying what each burden represents in his or her life. Sometimes, even when outwardly a person’s life looks rich and fulfilling, inwardly he or she may be experiencing a sense of emptiness…
a hole in the soul.
Guilt, shame, and regret are commonly uncovered during this inquiry process. For example, painful feelings due to:
- Unrequited love
- Paths not taken
- Money struggles
- Self neglect
In addition, many folks are carrying emotional burdens for other people — burdens over which they have no control or any power to change. Let’s face it, clinging to unrealistic hope or “magical thinking” can be exhausting.
However, it’s natural to FEAR CHANGE. For this reason, I often remind my clients of:
~ The Serenity Prayer ~
Grant me the serenity to ACCEPT the things I cannot change,
The COURAGE to change the things I can,
and the WISDOM to know the difference.
The good news is, I see a recurring gift after people go through a process of sorting through their burdens. Once a layer of the Emotional Spring Cleaning is complete and they have clarified (and compassionately addressed) burdens that are NOT appropriately theirs to bear—a clearing appears.
Doing this important process invites
more ENERGY & BALANCE
into their lives TODAY.
This empowering process can be a great way for each of us to update our “internal environment” and continually address burdens we have no control over. When we dive in to release and renew both physically as well as emotionally, we are honoring who we are in this precious moment — mind, body, and spirit.
Finally,
from this RECHARGED PLACE
we can declare that indeed —
we’ve accomplished another year of
SPRING CLEANING…
inwardly and outwardly!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
* If you have LOTS of physical clutter in your home or office, consider hiring professional help. I hired a Professional Organizer a few years ago when I was downsizing my home and it was incredibly helpful! You can search for someone in your area by going to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) website: www.napo.net
