De-clutter the House and Cleanse the Heart

by Barbara Latta 

Dreary winter days can create a mood-altering phenomenon and now we have health restrictions added to the struggle.

Why not use a time when we are forced to stay inside, maybe because of weather, but also because of social distancing restrictions, to de-clutter the house?

Re-organizing closets can give more accessibility to clothes and accessories when getting dressed each day.

All those new Christmas toys can replace the ones that have been cast aside with a trip to donation centers.

I am bad about keeping cash register receipts too long. When they finally pile up, I then must sort through to find the ones I really need and trash the rest.

There is an emotional tie to organization and cleaning up. Research has shown that clutter can mirror the emotional stress and weights in our lives.

Organization expert Peter Walsh, author of Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight states that clutter could be preventing us from reaching our goals. “Clutter is anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living…that could be physical stuff …or any of those mental or emotional things that cripple you or put a hurdle between you and your goals…if you focus on the stuff you will never get organized because it’s not about the stuff.”

With that said, we need to examine our hearts and determine what is causing the pile-ups and messy stacks in our homes. Are we keeping things because of an emotional attachment, or are we following in Scarlet O’Hara’s footsteps and saying, “I’ll think about that tomorrow” (which is what I struggle with!)

Keeping something that has no reason to be there is creating clutter. Clutter in the space is also clutter in the mind. When spaces are neat and organized we will have more internal freedom and thinking clearly promotes better decisions.

I can speak from experience that I do feel much better after I have accomplished cleaning out a closet or desk drawer. Just looking at that nice organized space fills me with the feeling of accomplishment. And putting all that Christmas stuff way makes me take a sigh of relief. I love decorating and celebrating, but once it is over, I want the holiday decorations out of sight and my house back to normal.

De-cluttering gives us a sense of relief and cleanness.

And this household exercise can remind us to clean the most important part of our lives—our heart. We can examine our thoughts and attitudes and determine ways to transform our minds. Which Bible studies do I need, what scriptures can I stand on, and what can I do to change my speech patterns?

The new year doesn’t have to start with resolutions that can’t be kept. But one small step at a time can bring a healthier attitude with the physical exercise of cleaning up and cleaning out and the spiritual aspect of creating a clean heart.

Your closet and your soul will thank you.

What are some ways you get rid of clutter? Join the conversation.

Get rid of clutter in the house and the heart (click totweet)

 

 

Clutter Image by Peter H from Pixabay