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Clearing Your Clutter

3/4/10 at 11:30 am | 7 Comments

BLOG by Louise L. Hay

How long has it been since you cleaned out your closet? Most of us stuff our closets with clothing and paraphernalia that existed in our lives at one point or another—and many of these items have been entirely forgotten. In our society, clothing is fashion; therefore, it has a temporary reign in our lives. We add one thing after another, and then complain that there’s no more room in our closets. We add, but we forget to subtract as we add.

Our closets can be considered symbols of our minds. A cluttered closet could mean a cluttered mind. This same theory can apply to our dresser drawers (or even our desk drawers)—most especially the top drawer, and often the bottom drawer as well.

I recently moved, and this was a wonderful time to clean out those closets. A good exercise is to clean out a closet and while doing so, say to yourself: I am cleaning out the closets of my mind. Take everything out of the closet. Examine each item and ask, “Is this item still useful?” Or, “Have I used this item in the last six months or year?” “Do I have to keep this worn item because I’m afraid I won’t be able to replace it?”

In order to make room for the new (whether it’s new clothes or new thoughts and ideas), we must release the old and the outworn. This is true for physical items as well as mental ideas.

I go through my closets every six months or so, and anything I know I won’t use again either gets sold or is sent to the thrift shops, or I give them away. It’s no longer useful to me and is taking up precious room. The sweater I was in love with three years ago is now a color I don’t care for. Do I want to keep it around on the chance that I may need it one day? Not at all! I’m well aware that I’ll always be able to buy a new sweater when I need to.

I grew up during the depression of the 1930s in extreme poverty. So it took me many years to realize and accept that I was the only person responsible in my world for my lack of prosperity.

Watch how you’re feeling while you’re cleaning out those closets this week. Are you doing it with joy and anticipation of the space you’re allowing in your life, or are you stuck in the mental system of “not having” and scoffing in disbelief that the abundance of the Universe is available to everyone, including you?

Affirm: The Ocean of Life is lavish with abundance. Whenever I need anything, I know that it will be provided.

FILED UNDER: GETTING ORGANIZED, ORGANIZATION, CLUTTER, POSITIVE THOUGHTS, SELF-LOVE, SELF-ESTEEM

Comments (7)

• 1.
  March 4, 2010
  10:09 am

  Even if I know the true benefits of cleaning my physical and mental clutter, I must admit that I've been procrastinating about it for the past few months. A million thanks for the gentle reminder. Blessings.

  – Chantal Beaupre, Quebec (Canada)
• 2.
  March 4, 2010
  3:16 pm

  So very true how our outer world is a reflection of our inner world and making changes in one benefits the other. Gaining control in any one area effectively increases our power over all. Great place to start, one closet at a time, out with the old to make room for more living.

  – Valerie Curcuro, Life Coach
• 3.
  March 4, 2010
  4:22 pm

  Thanks for writing, I give things away. I still have issues with clothing variety from wearing uniforms for 12 years. My dad grew up in the depression. He recently found out he 125 screwdrivers in the basement. Some people might laugh, but not if you counted up how much time it takes to buy 125 screwdrivers.

  – maria elena
• 4.
  March 4, 2010
  6:23 pm

  Thank you for posting this Louise. I read your book You Can Heal Your LIfe back in 1995. It was recommended to me by Sister Kioko, the nun who facilitate my 2-day retreat. I still have the book and I passed it on to my younger sister. Your life inspires me, Louise. Thank you. You are God's blessing to me.

  – penchie
• 5.
  March 5, 2010
  2:53 am

  What perfect timing! I just went through my bookcases and will be donating six large bags of books to a wonderful used bookstore that was starting to cover their grandchildren's medical expenses. Donating items I no longer care to have is a wonderfully liberating experience.

  – Mary
• 6.
  March 7, 2010
  9:53 am

  Thank you Louise. I appreciate it so much every time I read a blog post of yours. With much love,

  – Sheryl
• 7.
  March 8, 2010
  5:22 pm

  Over a year ago I got rid of everything but two suitcases and a back pack and am traveling across the planet. Whew! talk about a clearing out. It is the most freeing feeling in the world to own nothing. I highly recommend it.

  – Elizabeth