Spring cleaning is off to a slow but steady start at my house. It can easily become overwhelming when looking at the big picture, so take my advice: start small! Even if that means starting with the junk drawer. You will gain satisfaction, which is exactly what we need to keep going. 

Each of us is living in a time of our own personal transformation. In essence, we are creating alchemy with our thoughts and ideas as they flow into everything we do. As I embark on my own clutter-clearing journey, it's not so easy to let go of things I've carried with me from home to home and season to season. 

Could it be a part of our need for connection to a certain time in our life or a precious moment we would have held on to? 

It's the sentimental things I keep in a beautiful carved wooden box. The box itself is a keepsake, and everything in it is precious to me, though not something I need to look at each day. 

If you're like me, it's hard for you to let go of the sentimental stuff, the parts that imprint themselves into our hearts. I haven't been able to let it all go at once, yet each year, I get rid of a little bit more, only to keep my most treasured memories.

While we declutter our space, we also declutter our minds. One of the most insidious forms of clutter can be our thoughts. The words we repeat to ourselves hold power, and we tend to believe them. Often, without realizing it, we might replay the same messages over and over again. In yoga, we practice being the observer of our thoughts, and since we are not our thoughts, it's the perfect time to let them go and replace them with positive messages. 

Are there thoughts you're repeating that do not serve you? Take notice and replace it with a positive affirmation.

Is there a situation or relationship in your life that needs an upgrade? When we let something go, we are embracing change and releasing stagnation. We are releasing the past and embracing the future. 

"Letting go is not a one-time thing. It's something you have to do every day, over and over again." ~ Andie McPhee from Dawsons Creek

Modern-day alchemy is living in balance in an unbalanced world. It is connecting with nature, others, and the truest part of ourselves. In essence, we are creating modern-day alchemy with the thoughts we choose, the words we speak, and the energy we extend into the world.       

How do we create modern-day alchemy?

• We allow ourselves the gift of stepping back, inviting in quiet, and simply "be"   
• Become aware of your thoughts ~ they create your reality  
• Declutter the mind through breath, meditation and prayer
• Go within and trust your intuition
• Connect to yourself through yoga, nature and mindful movement
• Enjoy your favorite daily rituals – tea, coffee, Epsom salt baths, aromatherapy, your favorite skin care, your favorite music, walking in nature; make your favorite part of the day a ritual
• Place fresh flowers and your favorite candles in your home, office
• Write yourself a note (like you're writing it to your best friend) and place it where you see it often
• Rekindle your intention
• As we continue the practice of building self-awareness, we are building resilience and emotional intelligence
• Repeat!

I hope you've found a little inspiration from this and that creating more space in your life supports you in feeling lighter, and remember the journey is the reward!

The tao of “Clear your space, clear your mind."

Organization has never been my strong suit. In fact, it wasn't until I was much older that I realized that all I have to do is walk into a room and soon, every flat surface is covered with my stuff. Books, papers, mail, hair scrunchies, socks, you name it. Did I mention that the flat surface includes the floor? And, when I stop long enough to find a home for everything, it feels like new life has been breathed into my space.  

There is someone I'd love to introduce you to if you don't already know her: author and teacher Denise Linn. She has appeared on Oprah, Lifetime, the Discovery Channel, NBC and CBS. You can meet Denise Linn on her YouTube channel or peruse her many books on Amazon. She's also helpful to follow on Instagram.

Denise explores and shares how clutter clearing is much more than simply removing things we no longer need. She has even claimed clutter clearing is an act of spiritual self-care and modern-day alchemy. 

Her story is compelling. As a youngster, she had a near-death experience and was shown we are all connected to everyone and everything through our energy. Since we are all made up of energy, everything we surround ourselves with affects us positively or negatively. Regardless, we form an attachment to things, so we think we need to keep them for the day we MAY need them. 

You might visualize a crystal clear swimming pool – so clear you can see through to the very bottom. As the breeze begins to blow, leaves float on the surface, and you can no longer see through the water. When the leaves are removed the water becomes clear and clean again. So it is with our homes. 

Our living spaces collect things simply from daily living, and it's important to regularly remove the debris. Without even thinking about it, we hang onto it, thinking we may someday need it, when in reality, the more cluttered our space becomes, the more cluttered we feel mentally and energetically. 

Clutter affects all areas of our lives, including our thoughts, our time and our relationships. We often associate our memories, dreams and emotions with belongings that connect us to our past (this gives me goosebumps). The very act of removing clutter clears up the energy and allows positive space for freedom, more peace and joy. 

What is clutter? 

First, ask yourself these simple questions to find out: 

Do I love it? 
Do I use it? 
Does it make me feel empowered? 
Does it represent who I am or who I am becoming?

It isn't clutter if you answered YES to any of these questions!

Here are some examples of what would be considered household clutter:

• If it is half-finished or never started (subconsciously, we feel failure)
• If it has been broken for a long time (someday I'll fix it - "someday" takes from our energy)
• Papers and notes (typically, when we take notes, we never read them again)
• Old makeup
• Magazines or books (we save for a rainy day)
• Vitamins (if you don't take them, they expire)
• Clothing (if it no longer fits or feels good to wear)
• Shoes (worn soles no longer support our feet, and shoes go in and out of style)
• Cookbooks you no longer open
• Wilting plants
• Computer files and folders that you haven't opened in a while 

​Here are some examples of what would be considered emotional clutter:

• Old emails of conversations past
• Old letters and greeting cards
• Old contacts you haven't spoken to in a while
• Expired documents and files
• Gifts – Keepsakes can be tough to let go of, but we don't need to keep items from everyone. Keep the memories instead.
• Worry and negative thoughts you might say to yourself daily. Replace them with positive affirmations.

Did you know that you can have time clutter, too? Time clutter is obligations, relationships and activities that crowd out room for your personal growth and renewal. Keep yourself at the top of your priority list!

What are the effects of clutter?

Just as energy is constantly moving, we affect everything that surrounds us, and everything that surrounds us affects us, so be mindful of the things and people you surround yourself with. 

Studies have proven that those with more things are less happy than those with fewer. Having more means there is more to take care of. The more we have, the more there is to organize, robbing us of time and energy we will never get back again.

We have an association with the objects that surround us. If they do not uplift us, they become an energy drain.

Transform your space, transform your life!

I am enjoying every page of The Sacred Clutter-Clearing Journal, and I think you will, too. Denise keeps it simple and relatable, while at the same time diving deep into all areas of life. Prepare to release the emotional roots of your clutter and create space for balance, abundance and health.

Happy clearing!