Tracie Mae
I don’t know about y’all, but the idea of decluttering seems doable IN MY MIND, but actually getting started seems hella daunting. For me, it triggers a wave of overwhelm that discourages me from even wanting to start the process. But, being anxious about clearing my space just seems like a circle of doom—Anxiety > Depression > Clutter everywhere > Anxiety about clutter > Repeat. This time, I’d like to adopt a mindful and gradual approach, giving myself grace along every step of this journey. If it ain’t all done in one day, THAT’S OKAY. I repeat, THAT IS OKAY TRACIE. This isn’t a TV show, where entire clean outs happen in 28 minutes. As my Vietnam Veteran neighbor always says, “How do you eat an elephant? With a little dash of hot sauce, one bite at a time.” To me, that means, tackle big project at your speed, with your own flavor.
The Power of Small Steps
I have to remind myself that the journey to a clutter-free home begins with me acknowledging that it’s not about how quickly I can get this done, but rather the consistency and intention behind it. Instead of setting unrealistic goals that may lead to me feeling defeated, I’ll start with small, manageable tasks. I’m planning to tackling one room at a time, and break it down even further by starting in one corner of that room. That way, I can savor the progress and build momentum without the weight of an entire house bearing down on me.
Staying Mindful
Mindfulness plays a pivotal role in the decluttering process. As WE (because you’re doing this with me, right?) embark on this journey, let’s be sure to stay present in the moment. Instead of seeing decluttering as another chore we don’t want to do, let’s approach it as an opportunity to create the peaceful living space that we deserve. When we pick up an item, let’s consider the functionality and sentiment behind it and make intentional decisions about what truly adds value to our lives. If we do this right, with a changed mindset, our homes will never go back to mess they are today. *fingers crossed*
What Did Nike Say?
You already know…it’s time to “Just do it.” We have to start. This week…TODAY. Mattafack (that’s “as a matter of fact” for those of you not fluent in ebonics), look around and pick up 5-10 things that can go in the trash right now and actually put them in the trash! LET’S GOOOOOO! I’m actually more excited for y’all than I am for me. I probably should talk to my therapist about that. I’m just ready for a change. I’m ready to be happy at home.
