It’s Time to Declutter

One of the beautiful things about COVID is how much more readily acceptable it is to talk openly about mental health, burn out, imposter syndrome and so many things that people my age struggle with. Luckily, with my job, I am able to be a part of personal development and leadership discussions on a regular basis. In the last two weeks, I have attended multiple that have me a handful of nuggets of wisdom. These have been kept at the forefront of my mind lately in an attempt to smooth out some of the bumpiness that is my life at the moment. I would like to share a few with you and how I’m applying them to my life, in case it helps anyone reading this out a bit.

“Just do it.”

Now, this phrase was a bit abrasive to me at first. I immediately thought, “well, it isn’t always that simple! What if I can’t just do it?!” But as the talk went on, this particular speaker mentioned the time honored saying “don’t put off til tomorrow what can be done today” and then have examples. I love some examples in workshop. He said to get the simple stuff done, mark it off the to do list, finish that file and put it away. Sometimes we see a list of 20 things to do and start to feel overwhelmed, not realizing that 10 things are small and easily completed, 5 will take only a minimal amount of time, and the remaining few can be knocked out with focus and organization.

So I have applied this to one of the first steps in “decluttering” my life and mind. When I get home and take my shoes off, I put them in the rack in the closet. When I get up in the morning, I make the bed. When my dishes are dry, I put them where they go as soon as I can. When I am working on a task, I put all other tasks out of sight until that one task is complete, and then I file it away where it goes.

It’s not a perfect science, but cleaning up my messes before they accumulate into a disaster zone in just two weeks has already helped release to much stress. Decluttering – both physically and mentally, is so helpful in creating a sense of accomplishment and peace.

“Reset Yourself“

In this fast paced world we live in, it is easy to feel swept away or stuck in a rut. While this is normal, it is important to find ways to get out of those sort of situations.

For some people, resetting means stepping away from their desk and taking a 10 minute walk. Others, it’s jamming out to their favorite music on the way to work or to home. Some might hit the gym and put in a little sweat session to wipe away their mental blocks.

Humans are not machines, created to complete tasks in exactly the same way, in exactly the same time, all the time. We have emotions, and free thoughts, and our existence allows us each to be unique and innovative in our own ways. Recognizing that, and utilizing your abilities is key to success. And knowing when you are getting in your own way is essential. Sometime hitting the refresh button, and resetting your mindset can make all the difference in a frustrating or mundane situation.

“Find what drives you, and let it drive you.”

Have you ever been on a roll with a new idea and found yourself getting excited, worked up, maybe even emotional about this AMAZING thing? DO MORE OF THAT. It doesn’t matter what f it’s for work, or a hobby, or something that you do once a year. Passion is paramount. You cannot purchase passion.

I know for myself, I am my own harshest critic and I often times feel the need to tone down my excitement or ideas in order to make them more palatable for those around me. In am professional setting, that is sometimes necessary. However, don’t let that dim your light or steal your joy. We are each capable of carrying a vast amount of skill and talents, and it is imperative that we utilize them for our own advancement. If we are pursuing our passions and abilities, it almost always leaks into the people nearby and can inspire them to do so as well.

“You are the only you there is, and you are the best there is.”

Take the time you need to invest in yourself. You are the only one there is, and you are here for a purpose. That purpose may be unknown to you, it may be under by those around you, but you are making an impact. Never doubt it.

When I think of what legacy I leave behind, or what people would think of me if I were gone, there of course are a few negative things that stand out. Accidents that happen, mistakes I’ve made, relationships ruined.

But I also know that because of my existence, I have forever made an impact on this world. My name is written on the heart of every life that I touch, and I hope that I can continue to live a good life and make the most of it as I do. Clutter has no place in the peaceful and happy existence I strive to create.