Time to Declutter!

I opened the drawer by my bed and I could not find what I was looking for because there was so much clutter. I cannot recall when my life of clutter began. I grew up where there was constant cleaning, but very little instruction in organization.

Now, don’t get me wrong, when you walk into my home it is clean and it appears that there is order.  However, if you look closely you will find that there are some things out of place because they do not have a place.

In my early years of housekeeping, I could not see the clutter.  Perhaps, because it was such a part of my environment. I would clean, but never cleared the unnecessary things that I had accumulated. I always envied people who lived their lives effortless in the area of organization. I wanted order in my world. Thus, began my journey of decluttering.

In the beginning, it was difficult to know where to start. I had read, “a journey always starts with one step.”  I started with a drawer. This was not easy for me. I had to actually sit with some items before I could part with them. I had to ask myself the question, “When I die, would this mean anything to my children or grandchildren who would go through my things?” If the answer was no, I threw it away or gave it away. If it brought me joy or some type of added value, I kept it.

It took me several hours to clear that night stand drawer that had become a place for clutter and useless items. I felt good, now knowing I had a designated drawer for my bracelets and other items. I smiled! I began a plan to clean out every drawer and closet in my home. Taking on such a task can be overwhelming, but then I was reminded, one drawer at a time, one closet at a time.

I began to reflect on my spiritual life. It was filled with projects, to do lists and activities that consumed my time, my space and  most importantly, being with God. How could I assess what was needful? What would a ‘decluttered’ spiritual life look like and even feel like? Just as I had tackled that one drawer, it was now necessary to tackle the clutter in my spiritual life.

I assessed “why” there was clutter. Much of it was because I did not know how to refuse projects and even say no to things that God had not told me to do. I always felt that I had to help God. You see, I am a performer and I will take a project on because I can get it done! This kind of mentality led to my spiritual clutter.  Where there is clutter there is no room for clarity.

How could I hear God? How could I see God! Yes, I was “doing” for God, but not “being” with God. I was exhausted. It was reflected in other areas of my life.  I needed clarity in order to love well and to be my best self. I needed clarity to be a better wife, mother and now grandmother. I needed clarity to see where God was working and to hear what God was saying. Someone once said,  “If the devil can’t make you sin, he will make you busy. Either way your soul will shrivel”.

Now when I open a drawer, I am able to see what is in it. Everything now has a place. It is like a new-found freedom. Also, I am opening my heart to God daily, clearing it of those things that would crowd him out. I am finding more peace, joy, and love. My soul is being renewed daily, even amidst life’s challenges, because I am committed to living a clutter free life, both physically and spiritually!