Removing Clutter, Helping Others & Shedding a Skin!

By Eliza Ceci

This weekend I went on a bit of a purging expedition! I have really been thinking about the things I own, the things I’ve collected over the years, the things that no longer serve me and really decided to let go. Is it possible that I feel lighter and happier already?

I tend to hold onto everything from receipts and scribbles on post it notes, to shoes that hurt my feet but look pretty, old batteries and even plastic bags (because I feel guilty that they will go into a landfill!). This is just silly. Why would I want to hold onto things that not only cause clutter but also have literally no purpose?

This set me in motion. I decided to not only get rid of the obvious superfluous items that were causing clutter but also decided to minimize my closet by a significant percentage. I decided to go about this in stages – my first stage is complete and I feel uplifted and motivated to do more. I tackled my closet and was able to give away five bags of clothing. These are things that either I never wore, or items that no longer serve me; things that made me feel not so hot or things that didn’t fit me right in the first place.

The beginning was easy but as I got deeper into my closet I would find a scarf given to my by a relative or a sweater I remember my husband buying me for the holidays one year – to purge or not to purge that was the question. To help me in these times of purging struggle I would repeat in my mind questions like: could someone else benefit from this blouse? Would this jacket keep someone warm this winter, would this children’s book ease a baby to sleep, I don’t have a child yet would these toys from my childhood make some little girl smile? Turning this around and knowing I am giving items away that I do not use and that could serve a much better purpose for someone else made me so happy to share and give.

I began researching places I could donate my things to. I donated my five bags of clothing to Planet Aid is a non-profit organization that collects and sells donated clothing and shoes to support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world.

Are there any organizations in your community that you have given to before?

How does the act of giving make you feel emotionally and energetically? Giving for me opens space for new opportunities for growth, abundance and healing. It enables me to move on and look to the future rather than feeling stuck in the past.

Here are 3 steps to Simplify and De-clutter:

1.  Evaluate. Where is the clutter? What kind of clutter is it – physical or mental? There is a lot of truth to the old saying a cluttered space equals a cluttered mind.

2. Commit to letting go. Where do you feel the most resistance in terms of letting go? Skip it and start small. This does not have to be drastic or upsetting! Begin with an easy step that will boost your letting go confidence and keep you moving. Some easy places to begin would be in desk drawers, storage space next to your bed, kitchen counters or the space next to the telephone are places that often hold extra things that can easily be tidied up or recycled relatively quickly.

3. Celebrate. Once you have put the wheels in motion it is so much easier to keep the momentum going. Moving from room to room by organizing, cleaning and getting rid of stale energy is quite liberating when you have begun the process. Make yourself an exquisite Superfood smoothie when you are all through! You deserve it! Sit down, put your feet up and slurp away while taking in the splendor of your clean new space.

Now, what is something you really find yourself holding onto? It is that very thing that could be keeping you stuck and holding you back from living your passions out right. Let’s support each other to let go of stagnant emotions, old ways of thinking, ideas that no longer serve our higher purposes and things whatever they may be. Embrace the change and hold on tight because when we make room in our lives greater more blissful opportunities shine bright.

Eliza Ceci is a holistic nutrition and wellness coach, motivational speaker and writer. She is the owner of Peace on My Plate and enjoys providing support to her clients around detox, emotional eating and PMS.  Eliza’s passion is empowering women to understand their worth, creating passionate lives and taking control of their health one green juice at a time. http://peaceonmyplate.com

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