– Letting Go – what does that two worded phrase mean for you? Do you conjure up dramatic release scenarios? Or is it about switching off and having a holiday? Then again, it could be about saying goodbye to someone or something? For me, I think of two things. The first is – Having Fun (which I wrote about last week ) and the second is – Declutter.
When I think of declutter, I see someone skilled, sweeping their arm over a table and removing the contents. Whishh, it’s all gone!
Of course, this only happens in the movies or to skilled magicians, but we all have had the desire to be able to clean our desks, shelves and cabinets in the same manner. One swift wipe and it’s all sorted. Right?
-Out of clutter find simplicity – Albert Einstein
Deciding what to keep is often the biggest hurdle to overcome. We know and understand the squirrel syndrome – the desire to hoard old things, ancient gifts, sentimental scraps of paper, postcards, and especially clothes.
Methods to help you let go are:
1. Put everything in a box that you want to ‘let go of’. Seal the box, label and date it and then, store it away for one year. If after 12 months you have not opened it once, throw the lot away without opening it again – ever.
2. Give away everything to charities of your choice, friends with less or homeless persons. Don’t think about it. Action is key.
-Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions – Anon
I came across the wise words of Eleanor Brownn who says, clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self.
Perhaps, we cling to people and things because we fear some loss, or loneliness. I think it starts with you focusing on what you will gain rather than what you will lose. Looking at the benefits of Letting Go.
Recognising the value of giving things away, saying goodbye to old ideas. Best of all, releasing toxic relationships from your heart.
There is this wonderful light feeling when you really let go – so try it with small things and build up. Or just go wild and Let Go of everything that doesn’t serve you today!
– One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul – Brigitte Nicole
Letting go of things may be easier than letting go of people but perhaps it is about learning that some people can stay in your heart but not in your life.
The values and benefits of letting go reveal themselves soon after the action takes place – so start with small things but Letting Go will give you the experience of learning lessons and disengaging yourself from attachments. A healthy way to live.
As I mentioned before, I am working on my next book – writing diligently and intensely. In order to do that I have had to declutter big time and indulge in some serious Letting Go. For me that started with:
Clearing my desk –
Lightening my load by delegating –
Recognising that the writing process is the only thing that matters now –
I recommend these tactics to help you focus and Let Go!
Enjoy the process and let me know your results!
To let things go should be a natural process, like breathing, we inhale – exhale regularly, rhythmically. To let exhausted things go is a merciful act. To find the fun in it, is a type of joyful art. Thank you for your clever words, now I let you go.
What can I say but thank you ! 🙂
This is so true and you put it all together excellently! I love to de-clutter now.
You just love that image of sweeping everything off the table in one go!
I know I do too! 🙂