PART 1: PHYSICAL SPACE

What started off as a concept for a song became the start of something greater- it became a personal goal- De-clutter. It’s been such a popular notion lately that I felt compelled to write and share.

PART 1: PHYSICAL SPACE- the visible and the tangible.

The scene; a floor covered by scattered mess making it hard to freely walk around, important possessions buried amongst things unnecessary making it a task just to look for what is really needed and even though there are ample belongings, satisfaction is never reached- always additions, yet nowhere to put them.

 “It’s another day, and still I’m sitting here

In the midst of all the clutter I have gathered in my room

It’s such a chaos here

Reflection of my mind”          - EXCERPT FROM VERSE 1 of Clutter (Original)

Who am I? I’m a mild hoarder, a sentimental who finds it hard to “let things go”. As I sat one day in my room staring at how much disorder I’ve created, the bare sight of it just stressed me out.

Why do I keep so many things!?

I have drawers full of useless stuff that don’t even see a glimpse of light 99% of the time. I have random collections of things I thought I might need later but never touch. I looked around intently, paused a moment and made a decision- I need to De-clutter.

Not only my room but different aspects of me.

 “The only constant thing in life is CHANGE”- François de la Rochefoucauld.

As the dates change on our calendars, so does the person we become- We’re not the same as we were yesterday, nor will we be the same tomorrow. We will encounter new experiences, meet various people, realise and learn new things that will ultimately alter our views, outlook and actions. Time doesn’t stop because we’re not ready to move forward, life doesn’t work that way yet many times we limit ourselves to how much we can progress.

How? - By having too much clutter in our lives.

Often we insist on holding on to the past because that’s where we feel safe- the familiar. As a sentimental, I keep things that remind me of the ‘old’ me- pieces of history, portions of memories I’m afraid to forget. Afraid or fearful; a hindrance to face the unknown- The future. Not because I have no direction, quite the opposite really. I have plans, dreams, visions but I also know that God has His own for me. As stubborn as I am however, I’m anxious about what those plans entail therefore hesitate to let go of what I already know. A constant battle I have with myself, knowing and wanting two different things.

“Faith and Fear- a contradiction
Opposites don’t always coexist
A war between the head and heart
Head doubts
Heart believes” - EXCERPT FROM War with self (Original)

There is a big difference nonetheless between holding on to our yesterdays and living in it. I do not exist in my past yet I let it exist in my present. I’m in motion, but like the floor space in my room I’ve allowed it to become obstructions to my steps. As hard it is to find the important things in my room, sometimes I lose sight of what’s really important in life, burying it under mindless activities or waste time on things unnecessary.

Satisfaction- Such challenge to obtain. Often pursued by material substitutes which, let’s face it will never be fulfilling. I own so many things I don’t need and still persist on more wants. I’m an overflowing cup or a bag about to break if I don’t reduce the load.

And visitors; How can I let people in, when my room is in an embarrassing state? They can enter my house (life) but I guard my personal space (heart). A friend once asked me, “How can I enter when your life is too full?” At the time it didn’t strike me but he was right. It’s even a guilt I carry with our God. How can I let God work His plans through me when I’m holding on to everything- when my door is left shut.

If somehow you can relate, take this journey with me as I “clean my room”. I believe that we are all a work in progress, we can never reach perfection but it shouldn’t stop us from striving to be the best we can be. The next few blog entries will cover reoccurring themes I’ve seen related to this goal- Letting go, detachment and living simply.