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Monday, October 26, 2015

Decluttering Your Soul

There comes a point in many people's lives when we yearn for quiet space, free from the responsibilities or schedules of everyday life. 

As I mentioned in this post about decluttering, I said that sometimes it feels like we're drowning in stuff. 

But it's not just amassed physical stuff that clutters our lives. It can feel like we're drowning in creative ideas or in the chaos of our over-scheduled lives. 

It can feel like we are drowning in unmet expectations or in disappointments in ourselves or others. 

Sometimes, it feels like we are drowning in the frenzy of a plugged in life. 

Our souls may feel the twitch of our anxious or frenetic life, and it becomes easier to feel overwhelmed. 

Some of us ignore the need to slow down, but at what cost? 

If you're feeling like your soul is filled with clutter, here are three ideas for cleaning out what weighs you down.


1. Sit in silence and focus on your breath. Slow down your breathing. Go to your happy place. Breathe in peace. Take it in and let it wrap you in calm. Fidgety? Hold an empty mug or bowl. Sit for as long as it is comfortable. 

2. Go for a walk. Don't use your headphones. Look around. Take in the sights, smells, and sounds around you. Allow creative solutions to whisper in your ear. 

3. Bake bread or make soup on the stove. Chop your veggies by hand. Savor the time you need to let the bread dough rise. There is a reason those at home days feel so good. These "chores" give us permission to have a pajama day and check out for a while, allowing us time to recharge. You can give yourself this time. 

Self care is not a luxury. It is not something we earn or deserve in the way we deserve treats. Self care is as integral to wellness. In the same way we notice when other needs are not met, we feel the effects of an overwhelmed soul. 

How do you declutter your mind and soul? Share your slow down practices in the comments and inspire us all. 





25 comments:

  1. I cannot tell you how I relate to this post. Me I don't now I could have until I turn 40? But six years down that path I need to take a letter on a daily basis or it all becomes too much

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  2. I took me forever to figure this out, despite saying it to my clients all the day. I get outside. A walk or a run will always help me see things a little clearer and feel better.

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  3. Leanne@crestingthehillOctober 26, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    I really agree with your comment "It can feel like we are drowning in unmet expectations or in disappointments in ourselves or others. " It is something I've taken 50 years to learn to let go of - I still fall back into trying to meet all those expectations, but I'm getting better with practice!

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  4. Clear the mind of the anxiety clutter, listening to a book on tape while I cook or clean for a couple of hours works for me.

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  5. I love your ways of cleaning out the soul. I do all of them but, I think from now on I will really think about what I'm doing when I am doing those things. One moment at a time.

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  6. Beautifully written! Chopping vegetables and folding clothes always always makes me feel better. Long silent drives on country roads too.

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  7. I love this post. It's so on point with what I need to do more of. It's so open and raw. Thank you for this reminder. And for sharing.

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  8. I've been struggling with this very thing recently. My soul is overwhelmed, like if I add one more thing it will break. And yet, I worry that there are not enough hours in the day for all that I want to do. As it is, I'm barely scratching the surface of it all.
    Meanwhile, I've just moved to the country. Outside, there's a country road calling my name. The leaves are almost gone and the snow will be here soon. Everything will shift again.
    Your post is the nudge I needed.

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  9. Great Post Kelly. De-Clutter is such a good word set for the mind as well as the body. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. How I declutter? I'm a walk-a-holic. I also bike. So a hike, a bike ride or a walk around the block for 7 miles is what I do. And I can't forget a night out with "the girls" every now and again.

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  11. I am so glad you enjoyed this, Carla. One day at a time. That's all you can do. Be gentle with yourself.

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  12. Sometimes, hindsight is 20/20 and as we age, we see things with a new clarity. It can be a one-day-at-a-time process. Be gentle with yourself.

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  13. What a great idea. Do you use fiction or personal development?

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  14. That's a great idea, Mary. Metacognition gives us a different sort of clarity. As Maya Angelou said, "Know better, do better." It's true. And like you said, it's one moment at a time.

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  15. Thank you, Mithra. I love long drives too. Sometimes I have the best conversations with my husband on those long drives.

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  16. Thank you, Andrea! It's a process. Be gentle with yourself.

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  17. A walk clears my head too. I see things in a new way. It sparks my creativity. Fresh air does the body...and mind...a world of good.

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  18. It will be snowy here too, soon enough. There will never be enough hours, in some cases. Perhaps a "must do" and "can wait" lists will help. In the meantime, be gentle with yourself. One day at a time. Take that walk and enjoy the beauty of fall, on the ground and in the trees with lingering leaves. And breathe. Peace to you, T.O. :-)

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  19. Thank you, Peggy. I hope your life has quieted a bit and you're enjoying some time for self care.

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  20. Movement does wonders for the body and mind. Great point about girls' night. A night of laughs and love and good hard advice can help clarify most situations.

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  21. such good tips. As we get older it seems we carry more that weigh us down. It can be so tiring. It's good to stop, re-evaluate and declutter what's not working in our life.
    I also love the idea of making soup or baking bread. I never thought about that. I love to make cookies for those stressful times. =)
    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

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  22. I love this! So important to de-clutter. Lately I feel the need to de-clutter myself, my spirit feels heavy, Thank you for this!

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  23. Lately I am feeling emotionally cluttered so it is a good idea to rid it all with some moments of quiet. I need to do this on Sunday.

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  24. There's something soothing about having nowhere to be. Baking or making soup forces that time in a way that is cathartic and restful. Enjoy the process. Thanks for stopping by, Nancy! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  25. Mine does too, Courtney. I seek the time and space to recharge. It's worth every second, in my opinion. Happy Thanksgiving!

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