Decluttering

You may know from experience that when you clean out a drawer, room, closet, car, or anything else, you feel so much better. You feel clear and open. You can finally breath!

There's a reason for that. Clutter is the junkpile of energy!

Clutter is a physical representation of any of the following:

• Indecision
• Unfinished business
• Holding on to the Past
• Not Being Truthful with Yourself

When we tend to the amassed stuff that has collected, we are finalizing a lot of energy. When that stuff is present, it runs on our energy in the background. Think of it like your computer. Even if you aren't actively running it, something like your operating system still draw on the battery and is functioning. Clutter is exactly the same. Even if you aren't in the same physical space as it, it is causing a drain on your energy system. That drain shows up as stress, worry, anxiety, avoidance, tiredness among many other emotional symptoms.

So what can you do about it?

How to deal with the clutter:

• Start. Two options to do this:
  • First option, just without notice, jump in. Tackle a drawer, top of your desk, or stack of magazines.
  • Second option, schedule it in. Make an appointment with yourself and a garbage bag.
• While you are decluttering, say to yourself things like "I am clearing my energy", "I am making space for peace/tranquility/ease", and/or "I am making space for new good things." You can say whatever in your own words that affirms you're moving stuff out to bring in the good stuff.
• Be real with yourself. Are you really going to wear that again? Do you love it? If you haven't touched it in ages, then you probably don't really love it that much. Chuck it and go on. Recycle what you can and garbage the rest. Wait! You could sell or donate it? See next point.
• Get rid of it. Out of the house.
  • Selling stuff takes energy and time. Are you really going to post it and then have people meet you or come to your house? If that makes your toes cringe, just move on. If you really are going to, then cha-ching.
  • Donating stuff takes energy and time. Do you know exactly where you're going to take it? Are the drop-off hours convenient for you? Is it close? (I've seen that a lot of the clothes we donate get sold to companies who recycle it or sell it overseas. Just FYI)

I know, sometimes it's heartbreaking to throw out perfectly good stuff. It breaks my heart to think how much trash we just leave for the earth. One solution is to stop buying so much. Buy really good quality things that will last and that you'll love for a long time to come.

As an expecting or new mom, I have a few extra tips for you:

• Return what you don't want. Even if you were to tell everyone not to buy you anything, they will (I know from experience). I'm really simple and picky, I didn't just want a bunch of stuff. I was so grateful, but honestly, it was overwhelming. And the worst part? It caused me a lot of stress. I now had to deal with the guilt of not wanting the stuff we were given. Take the merchandise credit and save it for later.
• Identify the non-profit or resale shop where you'll take things before you even start collecting the items in bags. I mean like figure it out ASAP. Use your Facebook mom groups and ask around. Once you know what exactly you'll do with the items you no longer need or want, it is a straight shot to getting them out of your house. You've removed a tough time-consuming barrier. When that baby comes, you won't have time/energy to look into this much.
• Keep a bag in the closet that you can immediately put clothes into that no longer fit. It's just a running collection of things. Once it fills, it's outta here.
• It's ok to keep special outfits in a special allocated bin with lid. I found that I kept many at first and then as he grows up, I keep less and less. Those little tiny ones are extra special, let yourself hold onto what is in your heart. I keep mine in his closet for easy access.
• Keep a running list or an Amazon Wish List so that when people can ask what they can buy you (they will), you can provide them with options of things you've already "approved." This helps to eliminate the stress of getting things you don't love. 

Did this help you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below! xo