When the world around us seems to get more out of control, it's more important than ever to take care of ourselves and find peace where we can.
If I could wave a magic wand and give the world anything right now, it would be a deep sense of peace and calm.
Since I don't have a magic wand, only my words, my deepest wish is that everyone these words touch feels the peace emanating from my home to yours, from my heart to yours.
There is hope. There is peace. There is joy. Sometimes we have to spend our Saturdays with our heads in the cupboards to find them, but they're there, and they're ready for us when we're ready to find them.
Decluttering is My Prozac
The deeper I get in my decluttering and organizing journey, the more I find it to be as important as taking a shower, eating a good meal or taking a walk. It can even be as calming and relaxing as taking a bath or reading a book.
It was hard at first - I felt so overwhelmed and frustrated, so embarrassed and exhausted. All I had to do was walk in the door - or even THINK about some rooms - and frustration washed over me.
Getting myself to stop everything and go through piles and drawers and cupboards and closets felt like too much. And I didn't even want to think about the garage.
But I also knew it wasn't going to get better or easier on it's own. If I didn't begin, it wasn't like the piles were going to get smaller.
So I began. And began again. And again...
I found that on a caffeinated Saturday morning I could pull everything off the shelf of a cupboard, decide what I wanted, then put back only what I wanted in a way that made me happy instead of angry (I'm talking to you, tupperware!).
I found that on a Tuesday evening I could put away or throw away things on a section of my bathroom counter and make it look nice. When I brushed my teeth in the morning I felt so much better.
I found that on a Sunday afternoon I could sit with a pile of papers I'd been avoiding and get rid of ones I didn't need and (sometimes) it could be almost as (or more) relaxing as reading a book or binge watching Netflix.
It didn't happen overnight. It didn't feel like self care at first. It felt hard and seriously irritating. And I felt stupid that I couldn't figure it all out. But...
When I realized I didn't have to figure it all out at once,
that I could do things in small bits,
like bites of a salad I know I should eat but wish was a pizza,
I started finding peace in the process.
When my home is cluttered and feels overwhelmed with "stuff," I find myself more anxious, more prone to depression and less able able to concentrate on things I want or need to do.
With a history of severe depression, I do what I can to avoid that dark pit.
I just realized: I think decluttering and organizing has become my Prozac.
When I take time to dig out the things I love and surround myself with them, to clear the counters, to put things away instead of put them off...
It's like a door opens that lets in fresh air and sunshine, even when it's cloudy or crazy outside...even when it's cloud or crazy inside, actually.
And, amazingly, allllll those Saturday mornings with my head in the cupboards and Tuesday evenings with my bathroom supplies and Sunday afternoons with piles of paper - they all paid off, and now I have a home that's sooo much easier to pick up and clean.
And I can find things without freaking out!
It's like a miracle. But I am the miracle. Beginning was the miracle.
You are the miracle.
May the magic of decluttering and organizing find you and bring you deep peace.
May you know that you're not alone and there is hope.
May you find the strength to begin. And begin again. And again...
xo,
Spring
Please remember that I'm here for you! Reach out if you have questions and/or you feel stuck.
There's no need to struggle with clutter anymore - you're not alone and I can help you feel better right away.
Text me at 360-265-2477, send me a personal message on Facebook or schedule a free coaching call with me here ($125 value)
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