Are You A Collector?
We are all guilty of it, of being a collector of things that we don’t make good use of. There is a shift happening in the direction of minimizing our lifestyles. Thinning out those personal belongings that fill our physical spaces and create clutter in a way that is taking up more space in our already busy lives. Netflix currently is running a documentary called “Minimalist,” and one thing the creators suggest is when going through our stuff attempting to create less distraction in our lives; they ask the question, “Does this item bring value to my life?” The question itself became a simple tool for me in deciding whether or not I genuinely need to have yet another blouse or trinket of some kind before making the purchase. But it also made me think further into the idea of how we collect tools for our mental and emotional well-being and perhaps the necessity to declutter or rotate them out.
In my work as a mind-body coach helping others to sort through the junk and establish clarity, I find too often that it’s all the “things” in one’s thoughts that create a distraction. Consider just the amount of time we are filling our minds collecting “mind stuff” locked into our digital devices. Decluttering the mental and emotional spaces is essential, if not more important, than decluttering the physical. Everything is energy in one form or another, and that energy takes up space. That’s why it feels so good to clean out the closet or basement; doing so is liberating; it allows for our energy to expand. The same is valid when we can manage a thought or rest the brain with a good sleep or vacation. We know that housekeeping is necessary but struggle so often to do it because we become overwhelmed by getting started or by what to keep and what to let go. We assign value to all things based on an emotional attachment.
I couldn’t help but make the analogy between our kitchens or garages full of shiny, beautifully displayed tools and gadgets that are rarely utilized and all of the mindfulness and self-care tools we may have placed in our tool belt that we have the good intention of using but again they stay there all shiny waiting for that day. One of the biggest challenges I see is the follow-through with intentions. We have the very best of intentions, and the choices regarding our self-care. We love the idea of doing certain practices and can see the value in them but can’t get into the flow of using these valuable tools; why is that?
Is it perhaps time to clean out the self-care tool belt, decluttering, or rotating out what does not add value to our lives. Something can sound great but if you’re not inclined to use it, then get rid of it, allowing the expansiveness of energy toward what becomes useful for you. Just like going through your closet, if you haven’t worn it in a year, you’re not likely to, so get rid of it. If meditation doesn’t come easy to you, let go of any expectations and try something as simple as just creating stillness (without a device), and perhaps one-day meditation becomes more your flavor. The overwhelming list of tools in the wellness tool belt can have the opposite effect if we let it, creating too much mind junk which doesn’t work either.
At the beginning of a new year, I always feel an opportunity to shift and reset. Cleaning out and restarting gives us new incentives. When thinking about the year ahead, consider what adds value to your life? Maybe start with cleaning out a closet and see where that leads. Next, consider what ideas you have about your self-care regarding mental clutter and living into the year with less stress and more clarity. Thinning out the self-care tool belt and making room for those shiny tools that genuinely bring value to your life.
Here are A few suggestions for switching it up, rotating out those tools that sound good, but they don’t leave your tool belt. Take baby steps trying different things on for size, and if you’re not wearing it, chuck it at least for now!
Meditation or try simple stillness
Yoga or try a walk in nature.
Breathe work or try some whiskey, lol...okay, maybe a little whiskey!
Mindfulness or try acceptance & self-compassion
Every day or try most days.
Saying yes or try maybe next time.
Affirming or try gratitude
Church or try quiet prayer
Wellness treatments or try to rest and hot chocolate
Laughter or try crying it out
Reiki energy treatment or try holding a crystal and listen to free binaural beats
Read self-help books or try audiobooks and podcasts.
Journaling or a try good talk with a friend
Community workshops or try slippers and zoom
Visualization or try creative art.
Explore, mix it up, and throw out some junk!
Happy Decluttering!
XO Donna
