You might be fed up, ready to toss your excess stuff (clutter), because you know how good it will feel to get it OUT of your house.  The instant gratification game is seductive.    Yes, you’ll feel lighter from the releasing.  AND, there’s an excellent chance the clutter will come back if you’re not intentional and deliberate when you’re letting go.

Before you start decluttering, ask yourself, “What is it I want to create space for?” Why is this important?    Because knowing what you do want offers clarity and insight around what to let go of.  Sometimes we learn the hard way.  Sometimes we keep things we don’t love, or keep things that drain us. We may do it unconsciously, unaware that what we keep around us will hold the actual circumstances of our lives in place.   I know someone who keeps Christmas ornaments and photos of all their ex’s, yet longs to be in a new relationship.  Every Christmas they put those same ornaments on their tree, then wonder why they’re depressed, and not in a new relationship.   They haven’t asked this question about what they do want.  They don’t see the connection between what they keep, and how that locks in what shows up in their life.

I’m not saying letting go is simple.  There’s nothing simple about emotional attachment.

I am saying if you can be discerning about what comes into your home or office, you’ll create a space and life that is in complete alignment with what matters most to you.  Does that make sense?

Once you’re clear on what you’re creating space for, as you start the de-clutter process, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Do I love it?
  2. Do I need it?
  3. Do I use it?
  4. Does it add value to my life? If so, how?
  5. Does it reflect who I am now, or who I want to be?

If any of these answers aren’t absolute yes, why are you keeping it?  You really want to be clear here.  If it doesn’t say who you are or who you want to be, it’s going to keep you stuck in a past you don’t want to be in.

What’s next?     Think about one area of your home, or one section of a room that’s most bothersome to you.  What most needs your attention?  A drawer, closet, garage, basement, junk drawer in the bedroom?   Pick one small area.   Choose the amount of time you want to spend de-cluttering.  If you’re doing an hour, set your timer for 30 minutes and when the timer goes off, use the remaining 30 minutes to clean up what you started so you feel complete.  There’s more to letting go, but this is one simple place to start.

After you do this, hop over to my Facebook page or email me to tell me what worked, or what didn’t.

Finally, my next few posts will be a continuation of this letting go process.  Follow my blog to continue the journey of letting go, while living deliberately aligned to what matters most to you. You can Join my community here.

For the love of letting go,

Chris

♥