Goodbye winter, hello spring! As I’ve touched upon in previous blog posts (including Mindset Regimen: Powerful Daily Habits to Nurture Your Mindset), there’s something incredibly freeing about decluttering what no longer aligns with you. While we can declutter all year round, spring just so happens to be primetime for it. So, if you’ve been trying to figure out what to declutter this spring, I’ve got you covered with ideas! Spoiler alert: Not all of them are tangible items!
1- Clothing that you no longer wear or feel good in
Whether fashion is your thing or not, I think we can all agree that it’s never fun to wear something you just don’t feel comfortable or confident wearing. It could be a sizing issue, an awkward fit, the wrong color for your skin tone, or just not your style. Whatever the case is, why hold onto something you’ll either never wear or will only wear begrudgingly? If you spent a lot on it and don’t want to lose out, you can always resell it (or return if that’s an option). If the monetary aspect isn’t much of a concern, you can donate or gift it to someone who’d make better use of it.
Regardless, it’s important not to view those purchases as wastes. If you got good wear out of it, it served its purpose. Even if you didn’t, you learned the valuable lesson of what to look out for in future purchases. For example, if you bought a shirt in a shade of pink that you felt washed you out, you’ll know not to get clothing in that shade again!
2- Other belongings that you no longer use
This is a broad category and can include just about anything. Kitchen appliances, beauty products, books, electronic devices, collectibles, etc. If it’s taking up space and not serving you, what’s it still doing there? At that point, seeing it everyday and knowing you’re not using it creates mental clutter on top of the obvious physical clutter. The same tips I gave for clothing apply here as well. Nothing you get rid of was a waste of money if 1) it served you for a time and/or 2) you learned something from the purchase that will help you make smarter purchases in the future. Plus, your trash can easily become someone else’s treasure!
3- Digital files of any kind that make you feel negatively
Here’s another broad category, as it can include text messages, pictures, notes, etc. Anything that gives you a pit in your stomach or unnecessary negative emotions doesn’t belong there. For instance, if you’re constantly looking back at your text conversations with toxic exes, what good is that serving you? The best way to nip this habit in the bud is to delete them entirely. At the very least, if you’ll need to refer to something in the future (unlikely), you can always e-mail it to yourself. Ultimately, we absorb the energy of what we look at on our screens just as much as anything else around us. So, choose what takes up that digital—and energetic—storage wisely!
4- Habits or routines that aren’t working for you
If you started a habit or routine from a place of thinking you “had” to, you might come to find that it’s not actually serving the purpose you thought it would. For instance, if you’ve been reading 10 pages per day because you thought it would make you smarter, but you’re not enjoying it at all, it might not actually be making you smarter—at least not in a meaningful way. There are plenty of other ways to accomplish that goal that would be more effective for YOU. Maybe it’s listening to podcasts, playing mentally stimulating games, or even reading something completely different. Experiment with alternatives, and let go of the obligation you’ve put on yourself!
5- Relationships that aren’t good for you
This could include romantic, platonic, professional, or even familial—wherever it applies! If a relationship is doing you more harm than good, it’s time to declutter it from your life. Of course, that’s not to say that your relationships have to be 100% smooth sailing in order to be worth keeping. Relationships (even the best ones) naturally come with occasional hurdles to overcome. However, it shouldn’t be constant hurdles or hardships, nor should they feel unsolvable.
When you know in your heart that someone isn’t right for you, the best thing you can do for you both is let them go. My most recent blog post, Monthly Mindset Shift: Outgrowing Long-Term Relationships and Friendships may help you with this. It might be hard or lonely after letting go, but there should also be a sense of relief and peace that comes with time. You’re making space for healthier, happier relationships to eventually take their place!
6- Limiting beliefs
Throughout life, it’s only natural to sometimes adopt beliefs that restrict us from reaching our fullest potential. This can include limiting beliefs about ourselves (ex: that we’re not capable of certain things), our lives (ex: that things can’t possibly go our way), or the world around us (ex: that career opportunities or romantic prospects are scarce). These beliefs tend to translate into our actions, thereby translating into our outcomes in life. For example, if we believe we’re incapable of succeeding, we’re less likely to put ourselves in positions to succeed, and therefore, we’re less likely to succeed. Contrarily, turning that belief around can transform everything else that follows.
A great way to declutter your limiting beliefs is to make it your mission to prove them wrong. Make it a fun challenge for yourself to find everyday examples that demonstrate the opposite of what you’ve been telling yourself. For instance, if you don’t believe you can be successful given your circumstances (whatever they may be), find examples of people who have succeeded under similar circumstances. If you simply don’t believe you’re capable of succeeding, start an ongoing list of your past, present, and future wins – big and small – of all kinds. Let the evidence you collect transform your limiting beliefs to LIBERATING beliefs!
The bottom line…
And there we have it, 6 things to declutter! Letting go when you know it’s necessary isn’t always easy, but the rewards are always worth it. Freed up space, freed up time, and ultimately the chance for new, better things to take up that space and time!
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