Lately I’m taught a lesson of letting go in a very hard, challenging way. I feel that I tried to hold onto something, only found out that by ruthlessly clinging onto it, I sacrificed a lot of my energy, time, and potentially harming my relationships with those closest to me.
A lot of us share the feeling of the immense stress when we move, indeed some cite that it cause more stress than losing a job. During the process of moving, we are consciously letting go of things that we just can’t bring to a new life, that they no longer fit into the new life we are stepping into. Indeed, it is emotional and painful. As someone who has moved 3 times in last two year, (from Hong Kong to Edinburgh, then a few times within Edinburgh) , I feel that we should welcome the process of letting go on a regular basis, instead of doing it in one go the day we move, or the annual spring clean.
Just like the cycle of flowers - our belongings have a cycle. They come, and they go.
Let’s call it letting go soulfully…
It’s actually a very liberating exercise; the whole process of determining what things to go to charity shop, what to go to the bin is almost like a rebirth. Shedding your old skin, birthing a new self. A Soul discovery
But yes. It is extremely hard. I’d say it actually requires more courage, than time and energy. So perhaps next time when we want to let go of things that no longer serve us ( think old love letters from your ex), we don’t see it as simply decluttering, but see it as writing a new chapter. By sorting out what to get rid of and what to stay, you are creating your new realities, a more aligned life, and that’s immensely courageous.
In Feng Shui, it is a big no to have dead plants or dried flowers, regardless of their beauty
When we decide to let go of something, perhaps let’s begin by writing our intention.
What new reality do I want to create at home?
By getting rid of all these things, what new sensations do I want to invite to my home?
Why do I want to do this?
Why is now a good time to do it?
And then before diving in to the items in the drawers, why don’t we celebrate our courage by having a wee ceremony? Put your intention, light a candle, ask the universe for help when you are sorting out your memories. You don’t want to do it alone. When you finish this ceremony (it only takes 1 minute!), you are ready to go!
The reason I don’t call this process decluttering is I feel that it implies a lot of our belongings are clutter. I truly believe that there were reasons that we brought those items in - it made sense at that time. But now we are just letting go of them because they have served their purposes. For example, you once bought a beautiful jewelry box to hold your valuables, but now you’ve moved the valuables into a safe or a drawer. Despite its intricacies, the color and texture do not complement any of the interior. It does not serve its original functional, and it can’t be used aesthetically, so It has served its time with you. Give it to someone who would give them a new life.
Do you feel expansive, or constricted?
Keep going through your item. I often feel that our intuition can already tell whether something should stay or go at your home. But if not, hold it close to your heart center, try to see if you feel expansive or constricted. If you feel constricted, usually it means that the item can be let go.
I agree with Marie Kondo to express gratitude to the items that you are letting go. I think that it is a very comforting act after an emotional process. Besides, it is a closure to your relationship with them. Remember the time you feel guilty throwing out a gift? By saying thank you to the item, you are not only acknowledging the item, you are also releasing yourself from the you before letting go, you are giving yourself a closure.
You might think that I’m far fetched with a simple decluttering exercise, but if you’re anything like me, a highly sensitive person and an empath who would somehow get emotionally attached to items, I’d say that to reframing letting go and making it a regular exercise makes the whole process a lot less daunting.
