Some of us have accumulated so much physical stuff over the years, that our closets might resemble something from that TV show, Hoarders. Even though you may think you need every old appliance, sentimental keepsake and seldom-worn piece of clothing, the truth is that the more physical clutter you have, the harder it is to move forward into your ideal life. It might seem like no big deal to have a bunch of useless items lying around your house and piled up in your closets, but you send a powerful message to the universe with the stuff you hold onto.
Those old letters/emails from your ex-boyfriend/husband that you just can’t seem to throw away/delete? They could be keeping you from attracting a new love into your life.
That busted, tattered wallet you’ve had for the last 10 years? It could be keeping you from attracting more financial abundance into your life.
That box of random papers, records and files from your old job or business? They could be holding you back from attracting a new level of success into your life.
Your clutter from the past could be holding you back from stepping forward into a new future. (click here to tweet this quote!)
Start Getting Rid of Stuff You Don’t Need
Go through your living space over the next few days and be ruthless in getting rid of ALL the stuff you don’t use, need or want any more. Every single bit of it. Go through closets, bedrooms, shelves, storage rooms, even your home office or desk at work.
Ask yourself the following questions for each item:
Do I really need this? Do I even want it anymore?
If yes, keep it and love it. If no, kick it to the curb by throwing it away, donating it or recycling it. If you have a roommate, live-in partner, spouse or kids, you can ask them to do this exercise as well.
What kind of clutter should you get rid of?
- Clothes, shoes and accessories you don’t like or wear anymore (including all those tattered handbags, fraying belts, broken earrings and skirts that no longer fit)
- Papers and records you longer need (go paperless by scanning your important documents into your computer or use Dropbox for cloud-based file storage)
- Old magazines and newspapers that are taking up too much space (easy button: throw them all into the recycling bin)
- Pictures and cards that you never look at (just scan and digitize the ones you love the most!)
- Knick-knacks, broken or damaged appliances/electronics/furniture (take them to the dumpster, leave them on the curb or recycle)
- Anything you haven’t used or worn in six months or more (donate it to your favorite charity, local Goodwill, Salvation Army, Dress for Success, homeless shelter, church ministry, etc)
- Old letters/emails from exes (shred, delete, burn, crumple and trash, whatever you have to do)
Affirmations for clearing the clutter from your life:
These are affirmations that you can repeat as you go through the process of getting rid of stuff you don’t need. Remember that it’s OK to let go of some things as you move forward in your journey.
- I am getting rid of everything I no longer need so that I can create the space to receive everything I want.
- I am releasing my attachment to the old so I can make room for the new.
- I am making space for infinite possibility to come into my life!
It might be difficult to get started, but once you commit to removing all the old clutter from your life, you will begin to see new possibilities for your future. Give yourself permission to focus on the feeling of excitement for what’s to come, not the feeling of loss for what once was.
Leave a comment below: Is it time to clear some of the physical clutter from your life? Which items can you get rid of first?
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
Your clutter from the past could be holding you back from stepping forward into a new future. – yup, that’s a new way of thinking. Am on to purging few days ago and was hesistating to give away my costly stuffs thinking it might not be a good option to give away those and I can pass it on to my Kids. But now, I don’t regret giving away those which are sitting idle and owning me. Am just holding few things that is holding me back from stepping forward..but not any more! Thanks for t post. It’s time to start purging all over again :)
@jennifer. I completely know the relationship between clutter of the mind and clutter of the physical space. I was reading this book on the spirituality of cleaning.One of its major precepts is that when we hold on to things from the past, we stay stuck in the past. When I read this book, I looked around my bedroom and saw all types of stuff from ex-boyfriends, ex-friends and realized that in order for me to get over the hurt, I had to remove them from my space.
I know the Lupus Foundation of America does home pick-ups, which eliminates having to lug your stuff to a Salvation Army or Goodwill.
YES! I have been creating space so that it is totally clear BEFORE the first… so I am actually entering the year anew… #YAYClutterFree… #YAYRECEIVING
This is on point for me, not just the clutter in my home but in my life as well. I want to live a better life in 2014 with peace of mind and this is where i will start letting go of the things from the past lots of cards book cloths that i really don’t wear anymore and give them to the shelters is my plan wish me luck HNY LADIES.
I love the affirmations!! It’s so true, when I’m surrounded by clutter, I just can’t think! I need my environment to be neat and clutter free to be free to think. I am past overdue to cleaning out my closet!
Great article
I resonated with so many things you referenced in the article. I am currently on track of getting rid of clutter.
In 2014, I welcome new possibilities and business opportunities.
Thank you
Marcia
Thanks for reading, Marcia! Here’s to an amazing 2014 :)
This is the reality check I needed! Thank you so much. I have lived in the clutter of a broken relationship, loss of a loved one, lack of employment, depression and anxiety for 4 years … soon to be five. The “pitch it out party” begins today!
Yes! So glad the article resonated. Be sure to check back in and let us know how your “pitch it out party” goes :)
This post hit home with me! I was just thinking about new goals that I would like to set for myself for 2014 and getting rid of the clutter was at the top of the list. I have magazines from 4 years ago, papers, information and the list goes on and on. I truly feel like this physical clutter is causing my mind to be cluttered and I cannot focus intently as I should. I buy things with the intention of maybe using them later!!!!!! My biggest reason for not getting rid of the clutter is that I feel like I will be missing out on something. If I throw these things away, I may need them later. I truly believe that this is one of my biggest problems and this is causing me not to create and live the life that I want! It probably will not take me a day, but I WILL tackle this clutter and de-clutter my mind! Thank you!!!!!!
Adrienne, some other questions to ask yourself to help you make those decisions:
For your magazines: Are there online versions available? Can you extract articles from the magazines and place in your “to read” file? The “to read” file can go with you on the plane and in your car so that you can read while waiting in line or the doctor’s office. Most importantly, are you willing to devote several hours to clearing the clutter to make way for your creativity?
I feel that when my place is cluttered, my mind is also cluttered. Going through my closet is first up! I have shoes and clothes I haven’t worn in years. And, I’m ashamed to admit it, I have a few pieces with the tag still hanging on them. My biggest problem, though, is getting the boyfriend on board. He’s opposed to throwing anything away.
One thing I realize, is that de-cluttering takes time. And for me, that means setting a schedule or a specific time to go through and get rid of things whether that be weekly or monthly! I’m going to have to put that on my calendar!
Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! Really love that idea of setting aside time on your calendar to get rid of clutter.