Most of you who know me, know that once winter hits I fly south to sunny Florida. I am not a fan of winter. And the last few winters in Kansas City have been particularly snow-filled and cold. So this year I decided I would spend a little more time in Florida. Funny enough, when I returned to Kansas City it was warm. And it has stayed warm and sunny for over a week!
Now, this doesn’t mean it might not snow in May. Kansas City weather is unpredictable and ever changing. But this spring-like weather has me thinking about conducting my yearly spring-cleaning ritual.
We have SO much stuff. Stuff we have acquired through our lifetime. And we don’t really need all of it. But we keep it. And we let this stuff take up space in our homes and our minds. We hang onto these items because one day we might need them. Or we hang on this stuff because it represents a time in our life that has past. What I always find interesting about these items that represent a memory is that they are often tucked in box in the basement never to be seen.
Today, for Mindful Monday I would challenge you to be mindful about clutter. What do you really NEED? What items really matter to you? What is taking up space that no longer serves you?
Now I am not telling you to donate it all. You don’t have let go of your childhood toys if you don’t want to. But letting go of a few things can make all the difference to your mind, body and spirit.
Here are just a few ways to spring-clean your life:
1. Go through your closet. Whatever doesn’t fit anymore you should donate or give to a friend. If I have not worn an item for 6-months I know I am not going to wear it and I let it go.
2. Awaken your body! The winter slows us down. Get yourself moving again. Take a walk and enjoy the spring air. If you work in an office most of your week and don’t have many opportunities to get moving, Minute Movement, an online program of short videos and exercises, might be your solution.
3. Make over your junk drawer.
4. Have you washed your car lately? Clean out all the old receipts and paper coffee cups.
5. Start planning your garden.
6. Connect with a friend you may have lost touch with during hibernation.
7. Wash your windows and think about being open to new ideas.
8. You don’t have to participate in a cleanse to give your body a fresh start. Drink warm water and lemon. Or if you are feeling really adventurous try having green smoothies for breakfast for the week.
9. Don’t forget about your online life. If you are anything like me you probably have files stored online. Spend an hour and go through and organize your digital life.
10. Spring is the season of action. Spring is also a good time to revisit your finances too. Create a new budget or set new goals. There are many tools online now. Mint.com can help you set up your budget online for free. The website links to your bank accounts so you can automatically see where your money is going and if you are staying on track.
Hope one or two of these tips will get you started in the right direction.
Blessings,
Dr. Chris
Mindful Monday is a weekly practice provided by Dr. Chris Michaels. The intention of #MindfulMonday is to provide the world with a moment of pause and reflection. This moment connects us to what really matters. Stay tuned each week on our site, Facebook and Twitter for Mindful Monday tips!
Dr.Chris,
A year ago Spirit moved me to enroll in “The Self Mastery Project”. As the facilitator you were very instrumental in teaching me how to unclutter and let go. I learned how to de-clutter my mind through daily meditation. It has been 344 days that I have been decluttering this crazy monkey filled head. The PEACE I have found is amazing.
I also decluttered my life of toxic friends, co-workers, and emotionally unavailable people. It took some time, and I had to learn to be patient, but Spirit has attracted to me the most incredible, light filled people. Yesterday I sat in church, a year ago I sat there alone, yesterday I filled the entire row with my new friends. I couldn’t help but realize how amazing it is when you get all the crap out of your life, and you listen and follow what the beloved has planned for you.
Thank you for this incredible gift you have given to me. I am really living my authentic self, and it feels wonderful, and it fits me like the best Ralph Lauren clothes I could buy.
Love and light,
Ralph
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