Well, for some reason I had an urge to clear out the top drawer of my bedside table. I am not sure this is the same in every household but that is my end place for lots of things - it just seems to accumulate 'stuff'. I think some people have a kitchen drawer that is similar in use. Whether intended or not!
And then I did under my side of the bed... which included a lot of lovely and beautiful boxes I had kept with no idea what I would store in them but I previously always thought they were too nice to throw...
And then my jewellry boxes - I threw earrings which I had bought myself at 14 yrs (my first forray into deciding what I liked and having the money and ability to go and buy them for myself - remember this is before internet shopping!). I threw gorgous bracelts that I had to accept the wire or elastic holding it together had long since died. I moved what was left into a smaller box.
And then I found myself looking for other spaces I could continue this activity. I was feeling lighter, empowered, and strangely like I was making space to welcome something new in. So not only was I making the physical space around me visually more appealing, I was changing my internal environment too.
There are a few ways of decluttering, unless you find yourself like I did in a lovely unsentimental and 'would I care if this was included in a house fire' type thinking space, which makes it really easy.
The best way I have ever read about, is in the Ask and It is Given* book, which depending on where you are on your spiritual journey may be a little 'out-there' or 'woo-woo' for most. Nonetheless there are processes in the back which hold some great ideas, and this one I will describe my interpretation of it now for you, as frankly, I think it is inspired!
1. Decide on the space you would like to declutter (obvious but necessary to decide on one space or room at a time)
2. Get some boxes or tubs. Not too big - you will need to be able to lift them after you have filled them remember! With lids so that they can be stacked and you won't worry about dust etc.
3. Label the boxes - A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 - whichever works for you.
4. Get a pen and pieces of paper headed to match the box labels. So a piece for A, another for B, etc. Also, date the lists.
5. Put the boxes in the middle of the space to be decluttered.
6. Pick up the first item in the room or space. Ask yourself - "Does this make my day to day experience better?"
7. Go with your first instinct answer - Yes or No. If it is a maybe then treat it as a No.
8. If yes - put it back.
9. If no - put it in a box and add it to the list that coincides with that box.
10. Pick up next item. Continue.
It is important not to spend too long on asking and answering the question.
There is no need to second guess yourself or 'hedge your bets' as the boxes are not being thrown away, AND because you are listing everything you will easily be able to find what you are looking for should you need it in the future.
11. Once the space has been decluttered move the boxes to somewhere outside your living space - the garage, the loft, the shed etc.
12. Go back and feel amazing as you look at your newly created, more inviting space.
If after 3, 6, or 12 months (whichever you are more comfortable with) you have not gone into a particular box then you know you can safely throw it away.
Have fun and try to be aware that decluttering can be addictive - in a good way, I think, so far!
*Ask and It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks
