…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space
What messages have you learned about exercise? What thoughts and feelings do you have about exercise?
Being aware of your mental message about exercise can help you make changes in your lifestyle so exercise becomes a healthy habit that supports your life today. And exercise can help you reduce your body clutter so you can improve your overall well-being and health.
There seems to be a parallel between health and clutter. Research on workspace indicates that when the physical environment interferes with achieving your objectives, it fuels stress. And it can limit motivation, performance, and social interaction, and trigger physiological processes.
Health risks linked to the resulting stress include suppressed immune response, heart disease, insomnia, obesity, memory impairment, and depression. Excessive clutter can also expose us to bacteria, mold, and pests.
Clearing clutter will create room for new things in your life (new habits) and also decreases the stress on your body. Being organized or clutter-free may also free you up mentally and redirect your focus onto other things, and inspire creativity and healthy activities.
When you have removed clutter and feel more organized you will find that you have time to make healthy food choices, to cook better for yourself and time to exercise. But if you cannot find your clean gym clothes nor have a clear counter top for meal preparation, you cannot get healthy.
And doing something good for your health, no matter how much or little, has the power to transform your life. When you make even small changes such as a walk after dinner or skip the soda pop, it becomes easier to add other changes. Increasing your body awareness increases your desire to take care of yourself and will in turn make doing things that are good for you something that becomes second nature (habit). Supporting your physical health today will pave the way for you to make changes that will benefit your overall wellbeing.
What baby step can you take today to create room in your life for good health?
Is de-cluttering causing you anxiety? Letting go of your belongings is not an easy task and can be overwhelming especially when you are just getting started.
It is common to feel different degrees of anxiety, from mild apprehension to intense fear when you begin de-cluttering, but other emotions such as loneliness, anger, sadness are also likely to rise up. Many people may actually feel physically ill.
When you clear out a space, you are also clearing out part of yourself. In addition, you are creating the space in which to feel and be your true self. This is what makes the process so powerful; it is also what can make it tough.
So understanding the cause of your de-cluttering anxiety is important to the process of letting go. Here are some possible causes of de-cluttering anxiety: [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: The Anxiety of De-cluttering
What about other types of memory clutter such as inherited or gifted clutter?
Sometimes inherited or gifted items fit into your life well and they support you. Sometimes they are not something you want or care for and they become a burden. Let’s look these two types of clutter.
Inheritance clutter. An inheritance is really someone else’s left-over stuff that is now yours. Along with these inherited things may come a sadness because someone close to you died. You see this person’s stuff as them. You are too vulnerable and don’t want to have to let them go again, so these things stay in your life even if you don’t actually care for the stuff.
Make a list of the things you’ve inherited. Consider each one and ask if you’re enjoying this item in your life, or if it is best to let it go. If you feel some sadness rise up, that’s normal because you are missing the person who gave this item to you. Remember that the memory of the person lives in your heart and not in the item. If you are holding on to an inherited item you don’t care for so as not to upset family members, call and ask if this is true. You can pass on the item to a family member who would like the item more. [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Inherited or Gifted Memory Clutter
“Memory clutter” is an item that reminds you of an important person, event or occasion from the past. Sometimes they are good memories and sometimes not. Either way most people have way too much. Instead of your item giving them joy and fond memories, it robs you not only of your space and energy, but of your spirit as well.
Many people fear that if they let go of an object, they will also let go of the memory associated with it. Hold on to only those items that make you most happy and best remind you of a person or event. Ask yourself, “Does this item give me joy?” “Does it remind me of wonderful, happy emotions and memories?” If the answer is yes then keep it. If the memory or item creates sorrow, pain or reopens an old wound, let it go. And don’t justify your answer.
Here are tips for ways to hold on to your memories while letting go of the clutter: [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Memory Clutter