De-Cluttering

However much one begins clearing up the cupboards or drawers or wherever items have either been thrown in or stored for later use, it is amazing to see what has been set aside. When going through such items with the intention of throwing away the unwanted stuff they bring back memories of what we have been doing in our past: good and bad times, employment details and related stuff etc.

I wake up some mornings yearning to declutter some area in my home and, believe me, when I have got down to it, I have got rid of so much stuff that I am surprised that there is more to discard.  Surprisingly, whenever I do give into my yearning to declutter, I seem to find at least a bin full of stuff to throw away each time.

We collect things since they have an emotional connection to us, especially fond memories of past romances, travel, workplaces, old friends etc. Fortunately, due to current technology we do not have to collect photographs and hang on to the negatives anymore. To those born in the digital era reference to a negative sound like Greek to them.

It took me one whole day to get rid of all the negatives and photographs I had. Looking through them brought back some great memories as well as some nightmares over some of the things we had done and the people I used to be great friends with. Decluttering always gives me the feeling of having got rid of a heavy burden off my shoulder. It just shows that we all try to cling on to certain memories when the reality is that part of your life is over. The only joy is when growing older and we have forgotten some things of our past and coming across a photograph that jogs our memory. It can gives us a jolt and bring a smile to our faces. We all cling to straws that are of no use. The past is the past and all we have are our memories.

To me, items in my clothes cupboard are the most difficult to get rid of. Most of us live in the hope that one day we may be able to get into that outfit we loved and wore for a short while in then times. Get real and get rid of them is what I try to practise now. When the time comes a desired item could be purchased instead of hanging on to them in your closet like many other things you find there.

It is a great feeling of lightness we experience once we get rid of things.  If you wish to lead a Zen life decluttering and minimising is the best solution I can think of.

It is a great feeling of lightness we experience once we get rid of things