DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE…..INSIDE OUT

"Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated," pointed out Confucius. These words ring a bell in the materialistic times of endless spending and buying. Over a period, this creates exhausting chaos. The nuisance of not finding a place to keep the items is overwhelming. We dread to give away for fear of losing memories attached to our belongings. Amassing things for future use and procrastination add to the clutter. Clutter can confuse you and weigh you down. Decluttering has a calming effect. The moment we clear it, peace descends.

In the drawn-out pandemic times, an arranged home makes us feel in control of our life. The insurmountable task of tackling the disorder seems impossible. One can commence with a single errand and focus on it with enthusiasm. The straightforward approach is to start small, clearing one drawer at a time, and gradually do the extensive stuff.  Recycle, donate and trash approach works based on our requirements. Including the family in arranging the house makes time for bonding. Children gain a sense of responsibility and feel productive. Just-in-case items can go to charity, as life is good with essentials. We need to keep in mind nostalgia and sentimentality for certain things before discarding or giving away articles. Books presented by your father or a sweater knitted by your mom are treasures. 

House in order, overhauled wardrobe act as rewards, and it is delightful to be in a sparkling spruced-up home. The organised home gives a sense of control which makes adaptation easier in any situation. Diminished stress and a sense of accomplishment are the by-products of decluttering. Our mind is crystal clear about the things which matter.

Decluttering the mind is equally important. We process and deal with our emotions through our thoughts. Ruminating, holding on to negative emotions reduce energy and clutter our minds. It creates confusion and reduces focus and productivity. Taking a walk or some other physical exercise clears and refreshes our beings. 

Mindful breathing and clarity go hand in hand. Practicing intentional mindfulness and breathing techniques unravels the unhealthy thinking patterns and clears the stuck energy. Recently commissioned Lieutenant Nitika Kaul, wife of a martyred Pulwama hero, is an example of a clear mind. She gave a befitting tribute to her husband and secured her future by joining the forces.

Information overload itself is also cluttering our minds. We need to set limits instead of it taking over our lives. Reducing this will automatically calm the mind and certainly declutters it. While we must spend time with people who care, getting rid of toxic relationships that drain our energy is decluttering. 

Successful decluttering is not a once and for all thing; it is a continuous process. Clutter will keep creeping back, so regular weeding is necessary. For example, for those who move house due to contingency of the jobs, the packing and unpacking time is the most stressful. Peace descends the moment the house is in order.

There is a sense of freedom after decluttering the physical environment as well as the mental space. Thick Nhat Hanh rightly said, “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.” 

 

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