THE HOLISTIC CONVERSATION with Tisha Morris
It’s that time of the year. Your toes start thawing, the sun starts shining, and birds are chirping. It feels good to have a new spring in our step and prepare for new people, places, and things to come into our life. To get energy moving again, open up the windows, get the scrub brushes out, and declutter the old to make room for new energy and opportunities to come into your life.
Here are some quick and easy ways to eliminate any remaining clutter in your life and make room for all those beautiful seeds you planted in winter to begin blossoming.
Declutter Old Books
Do you have books hanging around from past hobbies, careers, or interests that are no longer, well, interesting? Do you really still need those books for needlepointing, scrapbooking, or exotic birdwatching? Instead, make space for new, inspiring topics.
Replace With: Take all your unwanted books to a used bookstore for trade or credit. See what new book or topic grabs your interest, falls into your lap, and really get you excited.
Declutter Kitchen Utensils
Do you have two can openers, three slotted spoons, and numerous whisks, and enough tupperware for an army? Most likely, over the years you have collected duplicative kitchen utensils, keeping them just in case. Just in case of what?
Replace With: From your remaining utensils, pick one you haven’t used in a while and find a recipe to use it with. For example, whisk up some cake batter and spatula around some icing to make a gourmet cake for you, your family, or a neighbor. Turn stuff into experiences!
Declutter Dust Bunnies
Yes, dust bunnies are clutter too. All those dust bunnies that collected over winter while you were huddled under the fleece throw watching Netflix – well, it’s time for them to go. Move furniture and clean, sweep, and vacuum in spots you ordinarily don’t get to. The floor represents our grounding and just putting intention into your floors can help with grounding your energy with a fresh start.
Replace With: Plants are one of the best decor items you can bring into your home for form and function. They are great for hiding electrical cords and even soak up negative energy. Their texture and green color also add a nice aesthetic to any space by bringing the outdoors in.
Declutter the Front Entry
While running in and out from the cold, you may have collected an entire wardrobe of jackets, coats, hats, and shoes. While you’re there, you may not have noticed the old cobwebs, leaves, or just plain dirt that has gathered around your front entrance. Get the broom out and clean up your front porch and entry area. The front door represents opportunities. Clear out any old energy or obstructions to allow the new to coming knocking at your door.
Replace With: Unless you are hiding from the police, then you want your front entry to be welcoming. Add a Welcome mat, some house numbers, or some fresh plants. If people can’t find your house, then opportunities – whether in love or career – can’t find you either.
Clean Out Old Clothes
You may be saying, “I’ve already cleaned out my closet.” That may be true, but chances are there’s still more that is ready to go. Our clothing closet is as complex as we are. Past careers, identities, relationships, hopes, and dreams are hanging out in our closets. That old college sweatshirt may be great for nostalgia, but is it keeping you anchored in the past preventing new experiences from coming in? Give your clothes an expiration date. For me, it’s two years. If I haven’t worn an item in two years, then it goes.
Replace With: This is your chance to have fun. Buy a piece of clothing that you not only love, but represents who you are today or who you want to be in the near future. For example, if you are training to be a yoga instructor, splurge on a cool new pair of yoga pants. If you want a higher-level corporate job, then spend a little extra on a business suit that you feel great in.
Tisha Morris is the best-selling author of Decorating With the Five Elements of Feng Shui (Llewellyn 2015), Mind Body Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time (Llewellyn 2012), Feng Shui Your Life: The Quick Guide to DeclutteringYour Home and Renewing Your Life (Turner Publishing 2010). Tisha is based in Los Angeles where she works with homes and business and facilitates trainings. To learn more, visit Earth Home with Tisha Morris.
