What Decluttering Can Do For You

A couple weeks ago I was feeling overwhelmed and I felt the challenges of everyday life bearing down on me. My shoulders were heavy, my back was achy, my head was constantly pounding, and stress consumed my thoughts. Looking in the mirror, I could feel the wear and tear of this weight creeping under my eyelids and seeping out the sides of my eyes-some may say wrinkles show wisdom, I say they show fatigue. 

There was a need for me to make a change. What could I do to change the way I was feeling about life at the moment? I thought about cutting my hair, but decided against this drastic decision (thank goodness I didn’t!). I reflected on my routine. It could use some uplifting, but everyday pretty much bleeds into the next. I paid more careful attention to my eating habits. Not much change there either; unless you count the twinkie I ate 2 days ago-food for thought.
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Doesn’t it look SO good?! . 

Back to point, so one day, could have been the next day actually, while sitting at my computer, I took a glance at my environment. I noticed a blanket hanging over the couch-that rarely gets used, maybe I should give it away. Behind me I saw some old junk mail sitting on the counter-why is that still there? My plant sitting on the table next to me, bless its spirit, was withering- I bet if I move this to a better position where it can reach more sun, it will grow better. I found that I was noticing other smaller things around me that just didn’t seem right-the pictures needed dusting, the fridge was packed without organization, I had found canned goods that expired in 2019 (no judgement please), and though my house is always kept well, the kids had collected a bag of candy wrappers that were hiding in their rooms. 

Okay. Enough of this! 

I put my momma gloves on. Went from room to room, searching for things that could be donated, thrown out, cleaned. I cleared my desk space. Threw out old shoes. Donated clothes that didn’t fit the kids anymore. 

I made the decision to declutter my house. In the end, I decluttered my life. With every room I cleaned I felt more empowered. With every wall I wiped down, I was establishing a better sense of control. With every shoe, toy, or clothing I donated I was becoming more and more focused with a clear mind and a less heavy heart. Damn, I thought, I feel good!! 

It wasn’t until yesterday when I sat down to reflect on my emotions and thoughts, when I realized how different I felt a day before the decluttering and a day after. My mind more clear, my workspace more available to me, I knew that there must have been real power in the action that I took in my life to let some things go. I found that I was releasing things that didn’t serve me any longer-including the obvious expired green beans-and in the same gesture, I was opening up for new things to come. I was replacing the toxic feelings of no control, stress, heaviness, anxiety, and negative thoughts with an overwhelming sense of closure, positive energy, completion, growth, and movement.

I had to share this with others.

So, if you are feeling like I was a few weeks back-down, depressed, unfocused, challenged by life’s burdens, overwhelmed, or stuck-I wonder what a little bit of decluttering could do for you? Even spending 15 minutes a day to get started might help. Clean out closets, go through old magazines (or just recycle them), organize your pantry and fridge, put things where they belong, donate, cut your hair-I mean, if you want!

We want to hear from you! What are some other ways you have decluttered? How did you feel after?

Blessings!

Click here for our Declutter the Clutter Checklist!
​or Check out our video on Decluttering

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