I have had many clients ask for help in getting their lives organized, which can include organizing their paperwork, unpacking boxes that have been in storage for many years, or getting rid of things that were hand me downs, or were collected through the years. For many, just the thought of tackling getting organized, or start the process of decluttering, drains them of energy, puts them in a state of discouragement and a feeling of being out of control. If this has been your experience, and you desire a solution or another perspective that is more empowering, read on ….

First, I would advice that you take a step back and look at the path you are on, and the consequences of staying there, by answering these questions:

• What kind of thoughts and feelings do you have about yourself, your life and others that seem to take up space in your mind? Try and be honest, clear and concise without going into the reasons why you have these thoughts or feelings.

• What are your justifications in keeping the clutter? (Examine if there is any value in keeping that particular item or piece of paper?)

Next, I would ask that you put that exercise aside, and take a couple of cleansing breaths, and contemplate another path.  This path is one where you see yourself connected to who you are with infinite power, clarity and strength.   Start to imagine yourself travelling along this path, what do you see? What does your space or life look like without the clutter? What kinds of choices are you making in life? What quality of friends are on this path with you? What actions are you taking?

While you are engaging in this exercise and you find yourself having negative or judgemental thoughts or feelings, like “I don’t believe I can ever get out of this mess,” “I am not powerful, or deserving”, etc., just realize that you’re gravitating back to the first path that you were on. Just take a couple of cleansing breaths again, and bring your mind back to the exercise at hand until you feel you can embrace this new path.   Travelling on this new path is like driving a car into new territory. If you were driving on freshly fallen snow, it would be like forging new pathways along that road. So, give yourself a chance to make a different choice, vs finding yourself driving down a road that has a no exit sign.

Continue to engage in this more empowered place within you and allow yourself to act with inspiration. What are you inspired to do first in terms of organizing your life? Take that action, and then congratulate yourself for having accomplished that task. Then, allow the next wave of inspiration to carry you forward to the next action. Pretty soon, you’ll find as you declutter or disengage your mind from embracing negative thoughts, you’ll feel a momentum building where you can access energy needed to get organized, declutter or throw away things that no longer serve you.

Try this exercise and see where it takes you and remember that part of this process is to take the time to appreciate what you have accomplished, however great or small.   Gratitude is your message to the universe that you want more of that in your life. It is like shining a magnifying glass on an object with the sun beaming down through the lens and igniting fire, passion, life! Decluttering and getting organized is an important process in life. It creates more space for you to be you, bring in the new, and live your life more authentically.