Letting-Go Experiment: Month 7

As of January 10th, I have completed 7 months of my 12-month Letting-Go Experiment, in which I have committed to letting go of at least one thing (material item, behavior, practice, habit, etc) a day for a year. The list for that 30-day period contains several magazines and one magazine subscription. But the most significant letting-go activities were the ones related to my decision to downsize the Christmas holidays this year (described in the previous post, A Different Kind of Christmas).

Occasionally, I receive responses to my articles about this experiment, and this time I thought I would share one of them with you. This one was written by a family member and life coach living in Michigan:

I received your newsletter the other day, did a bit of poking around and discovered your blogs about your grand journey to let go. It struck a chord in me and I've thought about it several times since I read it. I, too, have a yearning to clear and simplify and it was inspiring to read about your experiences over the past several months.

I recently moved from a downtown office into a newly-created home office, and in the process got rid of several oversized, unneeded pieces of furniture, old files, etc. As you've found with letting go of some of your old stuff, it wasn't easy for me to say goodbye to a roll-top desk we've had for years (collecting dust and serving as a great storage place for anything that didn't have a 'home') and a Lazy Boy recliner that took up too much space but reminded me of an old chair I had growing up. Once they were gone I felt that both the room and I could breathe.

As I schlepped box after box of stuff from my old office, I made the vow that I would only put things I absolutely loved into my new office space. How fun looking at old books, doo-dads, etc. and hoisting any and all that had the slightest bit of negative energy attached. I am now working in a space that is lovely, and as I look around the room at the things on my bookshelves, etc., I feel a sense of delight.

Now, for the rest of the house. I, like you, struggle with the "what-if's" of so many things in closets, attics, basement, corners, etc. - what if I need it next week, month, year - and so I'm overwhelmed with stuff. I realize, however, as you've so eloquently spoken to, that this stuff and my hanging on represents the clutter in my mind, body and spirit, and it also shows me how much I am hanging on to old patterns and thoughts. It's time to clear, however, and like you, I yearn for clarity, simplicity, and a fresh breeze blowing through how I live, work, and play. Thank you for your inspiration to continue towards that vision.

Notice the parts of her sharing that I highlighted in boldface: I felt that both the room and I could breathe. and I feel a sense of delight. These are the true rewards and benefits of streamlining and de-cluttering your space and your life.

Do you have a story to share?

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Email: connie@conniekomack.com
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