After all of our mindfulness and ego work this month, you may have already been drawn to getting rid of some of your excess stuff, but if not, it might be time to consider letting some things go and simplifying your everyday life experience. The more stuff we have, the more our stuff takes over our lives, so it’s important to take some time to evaluate whether we are holding on to things because we use them and need them, or holding on to things just because we don’t want to let them go. In today’s article, we’ll discuss three ideas to help you let go of excess clutter without getting stressed out or anxious about it. Let’s explore.
Why do we hold on to so much stuff, and then keep buying more even though we may not need it… or even want it in some cases? Why do we spend so much time gathering “things” when really our experiences are the most important part of our lives? Why are there so many people in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt for specific kinds of “stuff?”
We live in a world where the societally accepted “normal” attitude is the Work, Buy, Consume, Die mentality. And we buy certain things not to help ourselves in a constructive way, but to “impress” others and try to influence their opinions of us. Did you know that this is a subtle form of a need for control over others and what they think of you?
Taking some time to really reflect on why you have something, whether you want to hold on to it or not, and whether you will ever use it or not is a good way to begin lightening your load, so to speak.
Liberate Yourself From Excess Clutter in Three Steps
- Focus on one small chunk of work at a time. You don’t have to sort through your entire household or office in a day, and for most of us, that would be physically impossible. However, getting started and setting small goals will help you to get everything done and know exactly what to get rid of and what you will still use.
- Be “heartless.” Your clothes and belongings don’t have feelings, and someone who gave you something as a gift isn’t going to telepathically guilt trip you over donating or selling it. You create any resistant emotions you feel about getting rid of things, so ask yourself why you might be hesitant to let something go. Depending on your circumstances and your evaluation, make sure you keep your priorities straight and if in doubt, don’t make a decision yet.
- Remember that it’s only stuff. No matter what you own, lose, buy, sell, or acquire in your life, nothing is permanent and it’s just physical stuff. You can get a new one of pretty much anything these days, so why worry about it? Should you need something, all you have to do is go get it, anyway, whatever that means for you.
Some Benefits of Decluttering:
- Increased focus.
- Fewer distractions.
- Reduced stress levels.
- Increased clarity.
- Increased inner peace.
- Easier decision-making.
- Less clutter in your mind.
- Increased productivity.
While everyone’s comfort levels are different as far as the amount of “stuff” we surround ourselves with, lightening your load can never hurt. Whether we’re fully aware of it or not, our clutter can weigh us down on several levels, and getting rid of some of it can help us to get focused, productive, and pick up momentum in a more refined direction.
Thank you so much for being here, learning, and growing with us!
For more information about the Mindfulness Movement or the International Mindfulness Federation, please visit:
http://executivecoachinguniversity.com/mindfulness-movement
