“Change happens slowly, then all at once.” – Jay W. Vogt
Thanks to Mother Nature and major flooding in our area, we got a head start clearing the junk in our basement this year. Not easy. Not pretty. Not ideal. This form of “extreme clearing” is not worth waiting (or hoping) for. It’s too consuming and jangly.
I favor the daily, gentle, slow-drip approach that allows us opportunities to feel our clutter – our resistance, our stuckness. It may be slower and frustrating at times, but it’s infinitely more effective and sustainable in the long run. It offers a deeper and richer experience that leads to releasing the stress and stuff once in for all.
So how’s your clearing going – or not going?
- Are you tending to (clearing, moving, addressing) one thing, one pile, one area, or one toleration – every day?
- Are you remembering to stop and observe how you’re feeling whenever you think of it – without judging it as good or bad?
- Are you taking time to nourish your self every day?
- Are you remembering to not take things personally?
- Are you laughing at least once a day?
As I see it, clearing the stress and stuff in our lives is not a one shot deal that we cram into a weekend. It’s a journey that we cultivate daily – one small step, drawer, or moment at a time.
If you could you use more slow drip inspiration, or a quick hit, a baby nudge, a gentle push, or a big shove back on the wagon, consider these opportunities to clear to suit your needs and timetable:
- Four-part video series: Find out what causes overwhelm, what is clutter really, and new ways to support self-care in these short videos. They’re free! Learn more >
- Online courses: Take one of my popular online courses and receive an inspirational clearing message in your inbox every day. Learn more >
- Blog posts: Read my blog messages designed to cultivate a clear home and spacious life. Pull down the blog menu in the header bar of this website to find posts that match your needs. Or simply scroll down the page of posts here. Or subscribe here and receive them directly into your email box.
thank you!
just signed up for the weekly emails and will check out facebook.
You’re welcome, Lorese. Enjoy the journey!
I did a workshop with you a year or two ago in Southbury?, Ct. It is uncanny to me how I receive your occasional emails while I’m stuck or in full swing with clearing! I hardly want to take time to write this email because I finally got the groove with filing, whew, yesterday was grueling and exhausting, but I continued today and I’m making so much progress, my frown is now a smile. Thanks for your continued inspiration, I still have a LONG way to go…….ahem……basement…..
Dear Peggy,
Thank you for sharing these thoughts!!
I love the music of clearing. Love that you’re in the zone!
Hey folks,
If you see comments here from January, that’s because I tweaked and republished a post to make it even better!
Originally it was called “Clearing Stress and Stuff: A Slow Drip Approach.” Happy spring!