It seems everyone is talking about the hit Netflix show Tidying up with Marie Kondo. I get the hype as I’ve always enjoyed decluttering my closets and drawers. But I never realized that in that process, I was creating an energy shift. By getting rid of the old, I was creating room for the new.
The amazing shift of energy that results from decluttering doesn’t only apply to your drawers and closets. Decluttering also applies to your life! Just as you do a spring clean each year to clear out what is no longer serving you, you can do the very same to declutter your personal and professional life.
Steps to help you declutter your life
Ok, I get this task sounds huge but I’ve got your back. Here are a few steps to make the process a little easier:
1. Take a personal inventory
Ask yourself: what is benefiting you and bringing you joy? What is stressful? What gives you that horrible anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach?
How about the people in your life? Keeping in mind you are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with – are they supportive during your challenging times? Do they encourage you to be the best you? Are they blunt when you need it? Or do they drain your energy and keep you down?
If you find yourself in the ‘negative relationships’ boat, then it’s time to declutter. This doesn’t mean completely walking away from the relationships. It may just mean setting boundaries, refusing to engage in negative banter, or deflecting gossip and turning it around to positive conversations.
2. Deal with unhealthy habits
Decluttering your life of some of your unhealthy habits brings tremendous rewards too. The best way is to start with very tiny baby steps. Here’s an example:
Love your sweets just a little too much? Then start your declutter by being aware of how you feel after eating them. Are you lethargic and sluggish, or are you full of vitality and energy? It’s a safe bet to say that for a short period of time you feel a burst of energy, and then you bottom out and become lethargic.
What feels better to you? Feeling lethargic or feeling full of energy? I know which one I’d choose!
To declutter your sugar habit, start by eating one less cookie or piece of candy per day. Even better, drink a glass of water with your sweets as it will help you feel satisfied. Do this consistently for a week and see how it feels and then just keep going from there.
The bonus in all of this is when you begin to nourish your body with healthy options and your mind with love and support, you’re not only decluttering your health, but you’re creating a shift in energy. When you have more energy, it’s easier to be more productive, creative, and connected to the people you love.
Moving forward
These are only a couple of examples of decluttering your life. A few more:
Cleaning out your email inbox
Assessing your daily activities – does each one bring you joy? Do you really need to do it? If the answer is no, stop it. If you still have to, find the joy in the activity.
Taking back control of your social media – declutter your accounts, keeping only what is really important and useful to you.
I can promise you taking these ‘decluttering your life’ steps will reward you with a tremendous feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. It will help you to focus on what really serves you and in the process, unblocks your energy flow so you are free to receive more wonderful opportunities.
So what are you waiting for? Get decluttering your life!