Less is More
Releasing What No Longer Serves You
"You must remember life is short, and that you are neglecting something important whenever you worry about so many things." -Seneca
Today, practice the art of simplicity by creating space in your life.
Choose one area to declutter. It could be your closet, your desk, your kitchen, or even your phone and email inbox.
Begin by removing everything from that space and sort through it slowly. Ask yourself, does this item add value to my life? Is it useful, beautiful, or meaningful? Or is it simply taking up space and energy?
Be honest with your answers.
Create clear piles for keeping, deciding whether to keep, donate, recycle, or discard. The 'not sure' pile is a staging area where you can assign a delayed deadline to the items.
You can also simplify your digital life by unsubscribing from newsletters you never read, deleting old photos or documents you no longer use, and organizing your desktop or phone into clear, functional categories.
As you move through this process, pay attention to the emotions that arise. Letting go can stir up memories, attachments, or feelings of guilt.
Acknowledge these feelings, but don't let them stop your progress. Considering giving yourself a time limit to lament. Remember, you are not defined by what you own.
Keep only the things that make you feel good. If an item doesn't bring appreciation when you see it, it's quietly draining your energy.
One of my college professors used to say, "Think of your actions, what you say, how you dress and your poccessions as arrows. You want all your arrows moving in the same direction for maximum impact."
Everything that surrounds you supports the life you're living, if it does not, it is an arrow moving in a different direction. When you finish, pause to appreciate your newly cleared space. Breathe deeply and feel the calm. As you move forward, practice mindful consumption.
Before making every acquisition, ask yourself, 'Do I really need this?'