De-cluttering

by Renee Scott

My disdain for clutter is an understatement.  It bothers me to see items in disarray in my home.  I will find myself feeling a level of imbalance if there’s clutter.  Even though I hate it, let’s face it, mess happens.  It’s inevitable with two kids and a busy life.  Just imagine what it feels like for me right now as I undergo a major de-cluttering in our home. 

Every room.  Every closet.  Every cabinet. 

It’s my present day reality as I prepare for our neighborhood garage sale.  A normally beautiful space in our home is now full of stuff.  Despite the fact I frequently give away clothes, toys, and shoes, I’m finding out that it is very easy to tuck items away.  We also have a tendency to forget about those items.  They soon become a part of the look and feel of the room. 

Here are a couple of reasons why it’s vital to remove clutter from your space:

Make room for additional items

• Kids grow fast (and sometimes so do the adults).  Before you know it, a new wardrobe is needed and there’s nowhere to place the articles of clothing because the old stuff is blocking the way.
• Share/Donate with others – Luke 6:38 (NLT) shares the following:  “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Can you imagine what your home would look like if you lived in it year after year and never decided to remove old items?  The same holds true for our personal lives.  The elimination of old habits and mindsets are a necessity.  It’s also important to understand that the decluttering process in our own personal lives can be painful.  It may require severing relationships that are unhealthy which is always difficult.  Regardless of the pain, it’s imperative!  Similar to a bone in your body that becomes disjointed, it’s essential that the physician return the body part back into place. 

Take confidence in the fact, the temporary pain will subside!

The same holds true for the de-cluttering process.  It’s crucial that you yield to the fact, pain has purpose.  Here’s how I start the process to declutter in my own life:

• Remove “noises” that cause disorder by taking three days with very little media influence. No radio. No phone. No television. No social media. 

There are times when we need to pull away from the “sound” in the world that hinder us from having clear minds.  We need free space in our heads to allow us an opportunity to hear the gentle whispers that God speaks daily to us.  He always provides tender words of guidance but it’s often difficult to hear because we don’t take the time to quiet ourselves.

During this time, change the atmosphere in your surroundings.  Replace the “noise” in your life with scriptures, prayer, and inspirational music.  Take time to journal thoughts and ideas.  This period of solitude will expose a bounty of past hurts, poor relationships, and behaviors that hinder your forward progress.  You will be amazed how 72 hours can transform your life and jump start the decluttering process in your life!

Renee Scott is co-founder of the popular blog, Double Portion Inspiration, where she shares encouragement and inspiration to men and women all over the world.  She’s been a member of Grace Family Church for four years. She loves to run and recently completed her first half marathon. She is a wife of 15 years and mother of two children.