September 2024 | Decluttering Life

Decluttering has been the worst part of running a household as an adult. Full stop.

Every single year, during Autumn and Spring time, I try to find the courage and strength to deal with all the junk that has to be cleared out of my life and pace.

 The nightmare of decluttering wardrobes for the new season starts to haunt me down mid September and mid April and I cannot do anything about it. Aside from the clothing, I get to urge myself to clear out home stuff that has been uber-used or doesn’t make sense anymore. And of course, there is always this magic drawer that is the loving home for all things-that-don’t-seem to belong-anywhere specifically.

I try to postpone it. Every-single-time. I try not to think about it. Sometimes I even have dreams throwing the stuff out of my balcony. But in the end, I do it. Some times super efficiently, some others I stop half way, put the rest back to their original place and enjoy some ice-cream and NETFLIX.

They say decluttering isn’t ultimately about making space—it’s a spiritual pursuit all on its own.

To letting stuff, go, whether that’s physical belongings, mental and emotional buildup or bitter relationships, it’s an inspection of what matters the most, that human’s fussy mind will make complicated. It will do its best to keep you holding onto things and people.

I read an article at some point that in order to get rid of stuff you have to first acknowledge their value, what they offered to you and let them go. Like, let’s say hold a pair of jeans or an ugly fruit plate that you haven’t used in years and say something like; I thank you for what you offered me in the past, I have nice memories of us together but I don’t need you anymore.

Of course it didn’t work.

I think in order to be efficient you have to set clearance boxes in your mind. Understand the meaning and focus on what matters to you. For example, let’s say a dear friend gifted to you a beautiful red crystal vase with hummingbirds. If you are a minimalist person, it would be a candidate for release. It makes no sense to be in your home if you cringe each time, you see it in your gaze. As would anything else that isn’t in alignment with your soul’s perspective of beauty. If it isn’t beautiful to you, let it go.

If it’s a thought, feeling, energy, or relationship you choose to keep, it too should be awarded a place of honor. It deserves to be visible, accessible and appreciated. A decluttered soul lives free, when everything  finds its right position.

You have to be looking for the thoughts and possessions that contribute to your effectiveness in life. Our mind many times tries to be prepared for any eventuality the future might hold, and you find yourself hear this voice saying things like “I have to keep this, just in case,” or “I might need that someday,”.

Try your best to remember, the inner ego does its best to keep us in past and future time. But our soul and body are at home just right now.

I will try my best too

Cheers to the road to freedom

ELENI NODARAKI

Creative Editorial Director

Write to me on eleni@decorationrunway.com