Purge

It might happen a couple times each year, definitely always at the end of the year. The purge.

I start looking around me and suddenly my eyes see all of the clutter that has accumulated. The space that should be cleared is overwhelmed with stuff and I suddenly need these spaces cleared so I can visualize and execute life. I’m not sure what it is about the end of a year that always triggers this exercise but I’m glad that it does.

I can be overly sentimental so this type of purging isn’t always easy. Here are some rules that I go by to make it a little easier.

Go with the flow. I don’t find that this kind of purge can be done when you are feeling overly sentimental. When you are feeling disconnected from “the stuff” is the perfect time to cut it loose. There have been only a few times in my life I’ve thought “Why did I throw that away?”.

Don’t think twice. I can become overly sentimental really quickly. My trick is to grab an item and my first reaction becomes law. I pick up an old journal and my gut either decides keep or trash and I follow that direction. I have found if I start to second guess myself I end up being unable to throw anything out.

Put on some good music. Whatever does it for you. Whatever makes you feel upbeat. Whatever puts a smile on your face and makes you say “hell yes” when a song comes on. Listen to that. I know that is against some advice that others give. I don’t do well in quiet when I am trying to cleanse the clutter. I like to thank the things and serenade them out to the garbage bin.

Resist the urge to re-clutter. It becomes really easy to put something in the space that was once filled with clutter. RESIST the urge. Resist the urge to allow that spot to gather clutter, to have a new trinket, to be just another space that needs to be re-organized in a few weeks time. Allow for space to exist around you.

Lastly, dream. This is my favorite part. Make yourself a hot tea (or coffee, pour a glass of wine, whatever makes you feel cozy and happy) and sit in the room you just cleared and bask in the clear space. Then let your mind dream and focus in on what you want for your life and what you are going to do to get there.