Are You Decluttering Today? Your space, Your mind, and Yes some people.
Are you decluttering today? Yes, this can be intimidating sometimes. Yes, it's true that we don't feel like doing it; decluttering. But, like I have stated before (within another blog), let's do it when we don't feel like it. Otherwise, things will keep going on unattended to.
Let me suggest something to you. I'm sure we get tired of being reminded about the things we choose not to work on. Ok, imagine this, you choose to take care of at least one thing today. That could be moving those papers off your dining room table that have been there for months and sorting them out. Or, that could mean, gathering up all those water bottles that are taking up space; take those bottles in and get your $ (being mindful of our current COVID-19 safety measures of course).
How about this, picture yourself taking inventory of what's cluttering your mind, write those things down or list them on your electronic device (laptop, phone...), and begin to prioritize these things as your 'to-do' list. Tackle these items as you see fit, but please do something. It becomes very helpful to get things out of your head to where you can see your thoughts and act upon them. Please know, I'm not endorsing action on any negative thoughts; just thought I should put that out there.
Lastly, this is where things can be very challenging, yet VERY necessary. Why? I'm glad you wondered. Because it deals with people. This is where we put things off because we usually don't want to put the work in, but here it is. If you have people in your life that are draining you and sucking the life out of you, what do you believe you should do about that? Let me help you. If any one of these people are permanent fixtures in your life and the relationship is worth continuing, try this. Take note of how your body feels when they come around you (or even when you know they're about to come around you). If your body gets tense/tightens up, you feel nervous energy, or you may even get angry... this could be your body letting you know a change needs to occur. Too much for me to mention here, but I'll start by making you aware that you need to tend to yourself by identifying your honest feelings, do some deep breathing techniques, and seek clinical counseling if you feel it's necessary (you would know best). You will need to have a conversation with yourself and you may need to have a conversation with whomever you feel tense around, for hopes to bring you both on the same page. It will take some time for you to sort through your feelings and to also feel relieved/refreshed. Within my work it's identified as Identify/Assess/Enhance (IAE). However, the work you put in (in this case) is for the relationships you deem as necessary to continue, and to also create a healthy/safer environment. Again, if a clinical counselor and/or an authority figure needs to be contacted, please do so. Bottom line is, your health and safety should be prioritized. On the other hand, if this is a relationship that could function from a distance and/or is not deemed necessary to continue (from your perspective), you must permit yourself to include boundaries. These boundaries would include being firm throughout your entire circumference (mentally, emotionally, physically...), only communicate when absolutely necessary, refrain from following-through with anything that feels uncomfortable for you, or bring closure by discontinuing contact altogether if it's unhealthy for you.
You'll benefit from a decluttered space, mind, and yes people. Visualize yourself being lighter from everything you chose to attend to. I see you lighter and brighter. You look so good being empowered, and quite frankly - so do I. Great work!!! We got this.
Are You Decluttering Today? If not, it's not too late.
Mental Health Advocates of WNY - 716-886-1242
Domestic Violence help in Buffalo, NY - (Catholic Charities) 716-896-6390