Today I want to talk about what’s in your closets. Why? Because in talking about cleaning out closets (and perhaps actually doing it, too) can teach us a lot about how to clean out what’s hiding inside ourselves as well.
So where do we start? Let’s take a look inside…
What’s in Your Closet?
If you are like many other people, (and you probably are), your closet is sometimes messy, sometimes clean, and always in need of good purging session. I understand. It takes time to let go of certain things, while other things are much more easily released. The same is true with everything going on inside of you.
Let’s stick with the closet, though. I live in Southern California, so we don’t really do the seasonal swap out in the closet that many people do in other parts of the country (and the world). So I get to see what’s hanging in my closet every time I go in there. It doesn’t really change, unless I take action and initiative to change it.
There are clothes in there that I hope will fit again some day. There are clothes I’ll never wear, but I’ve still got them. There are shirts with holes and stains, and some of those I still wear! But many of them just hang there, day after day after day.
Like the closet, inside each of us there are things that we cling to and hope will happen again. There are emotions we posses, but never use. And parts of us are so worn out, but those parts are still “comfortable”. Then there are the parts in us that are simply there, but rarely see the light of day. Sound familiar?
Is there room for anything new?
So why is it important to clean out the closet, or clean out your own insides? Well, many people I know complain about their wardrobe, but yet have a closet (or two) full of clothes!How can you expect to get anything new if there’s no room for it?! Think about that, and know that it relates to what’s going on in you as well. If you want something, you have to make room for it. Since we’re almost always operating at capacity that means something has to give in order to create that space.
What are you willing to give up or let go of?
Keep only what makes you happy or brings you joy!
There’s a rule of thumb I learned once at a seminar, and that is if something doesn’t make you happy or bring you joy, then let it go. Though I have to say – easier said than done!
It’s fine to get rid of an evening gown if it causes you any sort of pain to look at or wear it. It’s also fine to hang on to stained & holey shirts that make you smile with delight and you enjoy wearing (even if it is only in the house). It’s also OK to let go of things that may still fit and be functional, but they don’t feel great to you anymore. And you’re always allowed to let go of things that may have memories attached, but don’t fit anymore. The memories will not disappear.
I think you can see how this relates to what you have inside of you.
What are you hanging on to?
Remember, every time you hang on to something, you are holding that space. It cannot be used for anything new.
So it’s important to identify what it is you want to be, do, have or achieve, and make room for that to happen.
When will you let it go?
If you’re still holding on to things that are no longer serving you, and you’d like to create some space for new things in your life, then when will you let the old go, so you can welcome in the new? There is no time like the present, and remember, someday is not on the calendar.
Reminder…One closet at a time…
The task can be overwhelming. I want to remind you to take it one closet at a time (and you can even set your sights smaller than that – whatever works for you). If you’re working on yourself, baby steps are fine. Progress is progress. Appreciate yourself for each step you take – whether BIG or small.
Tell me now…What’s one new thing you want in your life? What are you willing to let go of in order to have it? And when?
