Just a heads up, I’ve included a few powerful life-changing declutter-your-life-mantras and resources here that you just may want to check out below. Now, back to sharing my story and insights that I hope all serves you well.

“Watched this last night. It’s only about an hour. Good tips for clutter free life.” I texted a few friends and shared the link to The Minimalist: Less is Now Netflix documentary trailer.

For weeks, my friends and I came back to this same topic.

Lisa texted, “Minimalists is next up in the self-improvement queue. But all I want to do is shop and wear normal clothes again. And heels!”

My response, “Download the 16 Rules to Minimalist. I read it again earlier today. There’s a rule of 1:10. If you buy one thing, then get rid of 10 things say in the same category as clothes.”

Confessing to my struggles, “I was decluttering some college textbooks and research articles. I’m having a difficult time getting rid of all my grad school stuff. Some is still very relevant. My undergrad stuff I think can mostly go. That’s only been around like 20 years!! Takes up so much space in the closet.”

The next day, I shared with the ladies, “Well I got rid of 2 out of 4 boxes. So that’s progress. Some Textbooks are going, to be donated at the library. Research articles, bunch recycled. I then got into decluttering storage bins in my closet. Made more progress and did some reorganizing. Feels good!

Maybe I’ll drop 5 lbs. from releasing all of this crap or things I no longer need! It’s a known positive side effect. Marie Kondo spoke about it as well in her book.

I’ve identified other items that need to go. It’s ridiculous what and how long we hold on to things. I’ve held a bed set aside for my dad for like 10 years for when he sells the house and moves. I’m going to ask him and Diane, do you want this now? If not, it’s being donated. It’s virtually brand new, used less than a year.”

“What else can I get rid of? It’s like a high I’m now chasing.”

I’ve also been purging paperwork from drawers, one by one. Back in the day, I would keep every-single-receipt besides statements upon statements! Thankfully, I’ve long since given up the collection of these items, but I still had maybe five years’ worth to shred.

After a late night and early morning of finishing up, I felt free and relaxed, as I waited in line in my car listening to a podcast at the free community shred day hosted by a local library. I edged my way up until it was my turn, then handed over two paper bags of items and the guys tossed each one into the gigantic small truck shredder and it was gone in seconds. Easy-peasy-DONE.

Even at the office, I recently did a fair share of decluttering, gone were years’ worth of items that weren’t relevant or required to be kept any longer and literally taking up several drawers of space, much of which I hadn’t reviewed in years.

College textbooks, research articles, statements buried in the drawers, obsolete print outs of emails/instructions and project folders from years ago, all literally have been lingering in the back of my mind. I need to get to sorting through this junk and shredding or get rid of what I no longer need. But there wasn’t enough time or the right moment to get to it, until I made it a priority.

I’m finding that doing this in rounds in blocks of time (30 min. – 2 hrs.) is sometimes best.

Did you know there’s also the Netflix short series Tidying up with Marie Kondo? I read that book in the Fall 2015. I got rid of nearly fifty percent of my clothes. That KonMari approach goes through a specific systematic practice, where you stay in one category and finish before moving on to the next. You run through a few pivotal questions and reference it while working it.

Asking yourself as you touch each belonging, “Does this item bring me joy today?” Not in the past or maybe again in the future. Because of the KonMari method, these days, I only have jeans in my drawer that fit me. Not those previous skinny ones I can’t get on over my butt. Ha!

While, The Minimalists discusses the value every item holds, whether or not it’s essential, and how its contributing to your life now. Joshua and Ryan take us through their stories and how they transitioned to this lifestyle and how impactful it’s been for themselves and their following.

Releasing the junk and non-essential and outdated or outgrown things, people, and/or job from your life, brings in what you truly desire. It creates the space and for that energy to flow into your life. Because you are being intentional. You are making intentional decisions and taking intentional actions. You are saying YES to yourself and only things, people and roles that matter and that bring you joy.

That’s the place I’d like to dwell in and allow the spaciousness in my life to surround me and fill me with creativity, love, and joy. Want to join me there?

******

Declutter Your Life Mantras:
As you get your Minimalist-KonMari-decluttering session on, here are a few mantras you can chant in your mind (or out loud) for the ones that resonate with you, as you start and during your practice:

• I release what no longer serves me.
• I’m creating space for what I want to call into my life.
• I’m creating space for the next phase (career or love or opportunity) of my life.
• I release the stress and overwhelm. I am open to creative solutions to how to resolve X (fill in blank for you).
• I am highly compensated for the work I do because I am X (fill in how you are serving others).
• Abundance flows to me with grace and ease.
• I ask the Universe to release me of this stress and disconnect from my job with grace and ease and to be well taken care of. I ask to do the meaningful work that I am here to do.

Finally, tell me where you’ll begin your decluttering-minimalist session-lifestyle. I’m curious to know. Share away – comment, email me back, or chat with me on Instagram. It’s a powerful statement to yourself and the world that you’re ready.

I deeply honor you. Thank-you for being part of the C&R Self community! Namaste. – Sarina

Resources: 
The Minimalist – Less is Now Netflix Documentary (50 minutes)
https://www.theminimalists.com/films/

Tedx Talk – The Minimalist – The Art of Letting Go (18 minutes)
https://youtu.be/w7rewjFNiys

16 Rules for Living With Less – Free eBook
30 Day Calendar Challenge. Consider making it a focused approach, involving your partner and kids, or roommates.
https://www.theminimalists.com/resources/

Book: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
https://shop.konmari.com/collections/books/products/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-1

Netflix series: Get Organized with The Home Edit – For inspiration and for after the decluttering
Books: The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals
https://www.thehomeedit.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thehomeedit/

****** 

Sarina is working on a memoir about recovery through running, repeated heartbreak, and healing the trauma.

******