Clutter. Even the word feels heavy when you say it. We've become consumed by stuff and so inundated by things that we almost have nowhere to turn.
Kerri L. Richardson
The past few days have really been tough for me. Aside from few hitches at work and school, there are also a number of intricacies in life which I find heavy and disappointing. I wanted to take a breather but as always, human as we are, we are still bound to continue life no matter how badly we want to take a pause.
Then, I remembered that whatever is going on with the world should not be allowed to affect my inner peace. I realized that the reason why I felt so heavy and uneasy lately is because I let myself absorbed all the chaos and negativity of the world.
So, let this article be your reminder that it is very important for us to protect our peace regardless of the chaotic outside world we are forced to face everyday. Check this article for tips on how you can declutter life and your mind.
Everyone of us has mental, emotional and physical clutter that hinder us from seeing the good things in life. Thus, keeping us away from bliss and pure happiness. This is why it is important that we evaluate the way we see, feel and respond to things and other events in our lives as they can affect our future and goals.
A lot of people are still skeptic when it comes to the relationship of these clutters and our life in general. However, have you ever experienced feeling so relaxed and focused because of how tidy your physical environment is? This is the best analogy one can ever give to those people who are still not convinced that decluttering will greatly impact one’s life. It helps us unblock the positive energy and instead attracts more space for abundance, happiness and the realization of our dreams.
So, let us first define these clutters and see how much baggage we have been carrying around our entire life.
Physical Clutter
Physical clutter is whatever messy and unnecessary things we see in our surrounding. We do not see its effect but having an unorganized working area or environment deteriorates our energy and affects our mood.
I know everyone can relate to this; when I was still a kid, it is very annoying to hear my mother screamed at me to clean my closet or my room. For me, it is such a chore and is also a waste of time as my room will return to its cluttered state after a few days. Now, after learning that these physical clutters such as unarranged clothes or unpiled files in my surrounding can affect my mood and my focus, I have learned to appreciate the lesson which my mother is trying to inculcate in me.
Studies show that whatever physical clutter we are seeing everyday,be it our closet or messy desk, takes up most of our focus and attention. Thus, instead of us just focusing on our exams or attracting positive energy, these clutters compete for our attention which often result for us not to give our full mind to whatever task we are doing.
Mental and Emotional Clutter
Mental and emotional clutter is any uneasy feeling that prevents you from functioning your fullest. It can be doubt, fear and regret which prevents you from moving forward and keeping a high head in facing life.
It is very important that you keep these mental and emotional clutter in check because cleaning your physical environment is only half of the story. Your outside aura should complement the inner. Thus, you have to learn to declutter physically, mentally and emotionally. Regardless of how tidy your physical environment is, if your inner self is disturbed and restless, everything will still stay in a shaky place.
The Best Zen Tips to Declutter and Free Up Mental Space
Decluttering your mind, body and soul may not be an easy task at first but once you grow into it, you will crave more.So, check the following tips on how you can declutter the three major aspects of your life... mind, body and soul.
Organize Your Surrounding
A lot of us do not really see the importance of organization and its effect to our mental and emotional health. The truth is, seeing clutter everywhere still requires excessive stimuli which exhaust our mind. Clutter gives an indication to your brain that there is still something to be done. Thus, your mind cannot get the relaxation that it needs to be able to focus on other important things.
Most of the time, looking for something can be frustrating especially if you don't know where to start looking. So, make sure that you have a place for everything for you to find them easily. This will not only save you time but will also lessen the pressure and stress on your part.
Let Go of the Unnecessary
Most of us has something that we cannot just let go maybe because it is something expensive or something with sentimental value. We do not want to let go of the memory of the past or the hope of the future, be it an old pair of shoe that we cannot find the perfect occasion for or a certain memory still lingering within us.
Only keep what you currently need. Never hold onto things that will only clutter both your physical environment and your mind. Stop hoarding things you do not really need. If a certain person becomes a toxic in your life, let him go. There is no point dwelling to a past feeling or memory if it only brings you uneasy feeling in the present time. You have to remember that there are already so much physical, mental and emotional battles you should be fighting everyday. There really is no need to add another battle that does not matter.
Know When Enough is Enough
With the technological advancement that we are enjoying nowadays, we tend to multitask a lot. We overload task thinking that we will be able to deliver the same excellent result knowing that we have technology as our ally. However, multitasking only reduces the efficiency of your brain to produce quality work. Plus, it only adds to the pressure and stress that you have to overcome.
Learn the art of doing single-tasks and saying no as you will be able to focus more. Avoid doing so many things at a time because it does not guarantee quality. You may be able to complete your projects at a sooner time but you will still not feel satisfied because you completed it with less focus and attention.
>Always Keep Your Schedule in Check and Go Slower
This is somehow connected to the previous item as the need to finish multiple tasks for a shorter time often affects the schedule of one. We have been drowned with the world’s notion of competition and excellence.
As much as possible, do less tasks. Then, create a schedule that will allow you to give your all while still allowing few rooms for yourself to relax and improve. The modern world’s pacing is too fast that people do not even have the time to glance at the stranger’s face you meet on the street or even give them a quick smile.
Let’s admit it, we often do not notice the small things as we are so focused running after our deadlines and our dreams. So, take a walk. Notice how the flower blooms and hear the chirping of the birds during sunrise. Take everything easy and experience life in slow motion.
Write it Down, Scream in Pen
There are times when we cannot suppress the chatter within us as if something is always going on deep within. Thus, when cases like this comes, it is best that you write all these down to assure the voices within that you will focus on them when you have spare time to do so.
Also, keeping a journal can be a great way to express bottled up emotions. So, this is one of the most effective ways to clear up mental clutter. If there are past issues and emotions that you cannot seem to settle within you, express it in your journal. Most of the time, all we need is an avenue where we can release our tensions and past issues before we can finally move on.
Less Television
TV shows, no matter how entertaining can also be very damaging to our inner peace. Have you ever experienced feeling depressed over a news you just seen and heard from the television or perhaps being too emotionally invested in a TV show that you also feel what the characters are feeling? Yes, that is exactly what I meant by “unnecessary emotions and feelings” that we should cut down from our lives.
Retreat with Nature
One of the best ways to declutter your mind and your soul is being with nature; away from the city traffic and away from technology. Thus, it is best to have campings once in awhile and make sure that you do not bring any gadgets with you. This is to ensure that you will have your much needed “me time” without any distractions.
Self-Love Would Not Hurt
In addition to spending time with nature, it is also best that you indulge yourself with whatever it is that makes you happy. Spend your lazy Saturday afternoons in a spa or treat yourself with that chocolate cake which you have been depriving yourself for weeks now.
Showing how you love yourself will improve how you see things and your relationship with the inner you. Also, this will make yourself feel grounded with your desires and goals in life and will help you redirect your focus to the things that truly matter.
My Two Cents on the Matter
We have been brought up believing that problems and stress are parts of life. We have embraced them with the thinking that they make us stronger and more prepared. However, what we weren’t taught is that we can still live our lives free from stress and problems if we only learn to keep the right mindset.
Decluttering is one great way in achieving this proper mindset as we will only be able to think things through if we have removed the things that blocks us from seeing the good things in life. So, apply all these tips and see how wonderful life is.
Happy living!
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Free yourself from chaos and clutter!
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