Spring Clearing- time to declutter and lighten your load

Growing up in cold climes, I used to sort my winter and summer clothes twice a year. Here, in California, I just move things around in the closet. Unfortunately, when I simply shift stuff around, I don’t need to think about how my wardrobe functions.  Clothes and shoes simply get shuffled, stored, and never really sorted. Recently, wanting to downsize, I needed to take a look and get sensible about what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to let go.

Beginning with my closet, I applied the two-year rule and rooted out the clothes, scarves, and shoes that I’ll never wear again. Then, moving on to the boxes stored in the shed, loft, and under the bed, I found extra everything– pillows, Tupperware, and, even, hammers. Assessing current and future needs, I bagged, boxed, and delivered all the extras to my favorite thrift store. Although coming face to face with all this accumulated stuff was both daunting and embarrassing, doing something about it has been therapeutic.

Even if you’re not downsizing and have plenty of space (maybe, a storage unit or two), I guarantee you’ll benefit from a little spring clearing. As the de-cluttering gurus tell us: all those piles and boxes belong to you and, like stuff stored in the “cloud”, it consumes energy. Certainly, it made me feel lighter and freer when I unloaded all those extra scarves and hammers. Research at the University of Connecticut confirms this experience– finding that when people de-clutter, it reduces stress and anxiety. At the same time, it increases happiness and confidence. From a purely physical point of view, this makes sense. Simply clearing clutter lightens your load, creates more space to move around, and frees up energy to explore your options.

Getting your mind on board. It’s important to think of spring clearing as a process. You’ll be tempted to make excuses, put it off, blame circumstances. Understanding the psychological underpinnings of clutter is a good way to bolster your resolve. For instance: perhaps, all of that stuff in the attic/basement/storage unit is a reflection of your subconscious emotional baggage. Psychologists tell us that clutter can represent a kind of denial and/or resistance to live in the present moment. Considering this, it’s probably a good idea to check in once in a while as you go along. Many people report being surprised that their stuff brings up old issues.  And, once they declutter and let go, it seems as if old patterns and stuck attitudes let go as well. In addition, unloading the extra stuff often has a positive effect on posture, digestion and sleep. For some, clearing space helps them think more clearly. For others, it clears the way for being present and feeling joy.

So, why not use the momentum of springtime to declutter and lighten your load? Although spring clearing is a task, for sure, the rewards are worth it.

Getting Started. To start, set aside a few hours some morning soon to decluttering a specific area. Perhaps your desk or closet or pantry.

Desk: Systematically, go through the piles of papers and file away or digitalize what you want to keep– assign the rest to the trash or shredder.

Closet: Sort through clothes & shoes and decide what you want to keep and what you need to let go. Realistically, if something in your wardrobe hasn’t been worn in two years, it’s time to let it go. Fold and box or bag the giveaways and place in a pile for your favorite thrift store.

Pantry: Scour the shelves for past due items and put them in the trash before you organize by category.

As you go along. Take breaks, every once in a while. Stretch and shake your limbs to dislodge any emotions and replenish your energy. 

Finishing up. At the end of your clearing session, sit down and check in with how you feel. Yes, you feel tired. But, perhaps there’s also feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. You may feel lighter, less encumbered. And/or softer, less restless, more at peace. Linger here, breathing freely and listening to your deep knowing and inner guidance.

When you sort it out and move it on, the stuck, stagnant energy begins to flow again. You’ve created more space. There’s more room to breathe, more room to be inspired. Truthfully, this whole process has been cathartic. And, in addition to the feeling of personal accomplishment, you’ll probably feel a “generosity dividend” when you cart it all off to thrift. Taking time to note the positive results of your labor is a lesson in healthy living. It’s also a motivator for your next bout of spring clearing.

Symbolically, the act of clearing space is very powerful. Everything you sorted and sent on lightens your physical load. Dusty old ways of thinking got jettisoned along with those outfits you haven’t worn for ages. Emotional baggage stored in those boxes is no longer part of your life. Space has been cleared for what’s important now–the relationships and projects that nourish you. If this all makes sense to you, Spring couldn’t have come at a better time!

Originally published in the Montecito Journal