Spring clean your life

(part of the Happy Friday series)

Sometimes the main impediment to our ability to be happy in the present (and the future) is hanging onto feelings and memories from the past. Eventhough we know we need to let them go, we can often struggle to do so.

You know yourself if this is one of your own obstacles to happiness. If it is, you need to decide how severe the problem is. If you are feeling stuck because of a significant trauma in your past, then seeking professional therapeutic help is your best way forward. And the sooner you take that step, the sooner you can free yourself from the troubles of the past, and the fears they have dragged into your present.

But what if you’re getting stuck because of something that’s not (or really shouldn’t be) such a big deal in the greater scheme of things? How can you move on before it starts to fester and becomes a much bigger deal than it needs to be?

Well, this week my magic solution is: declutter! And I’m not using the word “magic” lightly here. Not only does a good clear out clean up your physical space, but it often has an amazingly cathartic effect on your emotional well-being too.

I’m not going to go into a whole feng shui explanation of how or why this is (but click here if you do want to read up on it). I’m just going to boldly state that this has been my (sometimes gob-smacking!) experience, and according to widespread anecdotal evidence I’m not alone.

So, if you’re feeling stuck on anything at a psychological level, I highly recommend taking a good look around you. Is there a physical space in your world that could do with a good decluttering? Also take a look at the mental clutter in your life – what tasks are continually going undone because you can’t seem to muster up the psychic energy to face them?

I suggest starting with the physical clear out. If you can't even motivate yourself to get going with that, try reading Karen Kingston's Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui - that oughta help! But if you are eager and ready to just get going, remember the rule of thumb: love it, use it (regularly) or lose it.

When you declutter your physical space you will experience a release of psychic energy that will give you the momentum you need to deal with the mental clutter. Out of nowhere, you will find the motivation to just do it. And from there you will find yourself, magically, moving on from the place where you were stuck.

And in terms of moving forward with your life, you will have created a vacuum to draw into your life new and exciting experiences to replace the old ones that you will now have mentally let go of. Sceptical? Well, you know the only way to find out is to test the theory for yourself…

As it happens, I currently have some stuff I need to let go of. I’ve been trying to do so, and yet resisting it at the same time for the last couple of weeks. And fortunately I also have a room that needs a thorough decluttering! (which I’ve also been putting on the long finger) Well, I made a start today, and can't wait to get back to it once I've finished this post : )

I’m looking forward to freeing up space – both in my home and in my head! And I look forward with curiosity and wonder to the opportunities that will follow.

What about you? What do you need to let go of, both mentally and physically?

Comments

[Joanna Young]

This post comes at a great time for me Hilda - I'm in the process of decluttering too, physical things but also old ideas, thoughts, emotions I need to let go of now.

I can feel the energy starting to swirl already as a result:-)

I don't know if you've come across Ariane Benefit's work on clutter - it's fabulous. Here's a sample for you to taste if you haven't.

http://blog.neatandsimple.com/blog/2006/06/clutter_clearin.html

Best wishes

Joanna

[Jay, writer Memberspeed.com]

This reminds me of an article I once wrote. It's about our tendency to hang on to memories. Sometimes, we allow these memories to take over our emotions and so make it difficult for us to move forward. Sometimes, we just have have to take a deep breath and let them go.

[Hilda]

Hi Jay,

could you post a link to that article? It sounds like something I'd enjoy reading.

Joanna,

thanks so much for pointing me to Arianne's blog - I love it! And now that I've started decluttering I'm noticing more and more clutter that needs attending to, not just material stuff but also lots of unfinished or undone tasks. Thankfully I've two weeks holidays for Easter and I'm going to devote alot of time (though not all - a girl's gotta have some fun ; ) to decluttering and clearing my space.

all the best,

H.