Simplify Your Life - Part 1: Decluttering of Possessions
08 April 2025
We all know what it feels like to try and simplify our lives. You might start by getting rid of things you don't need but then stop because it brings up feelings you'd rather avoid. Maybe you feel bad about the money you wasted on unused items, or guilty throwing away a gift from a loved one. If these emotions sound familiar, you're not alone. Everyone experiences them when organizing their space.
In 2012, Yale University researchers discovered that letting go of things was certainly emotionally challenging. Two parts of our brain, which normally react to pain and conflict, become active when we part with belongings, we have feelings for. These areas also light up for example also when an addict craves their substance—so, yes, it's truly difficult. Yet the effort is worthwhile as it brings a new breath of life.
Having too many things around us causes stress. Have you ever tried to start a project but felt the urge to clean up first? It's not just procrastination; your mind can't focus with clutter in sight, especially if the task feels daunting (like doing taxes).
A messy environment distracts and overwhelms our brains. Piles of unpaid bills, an overflowing trash can, or a long to-do list all compete for our attention. This chaos:
Distracts you from your main tasks
Keeps you worrying about future jobs
Stresses you out, releasing stress hormones
Makes it hard to focus and think
Leads to procrastination
Lowers productivity and creativity
Hurts your memory
Stops you from enjoying the present
And it's not just physical clutter. Our digital world is full of distractions as well, with social media, emails, and texts always seeking our attention. Combine this with digital calendars and endless computer files, and it's amazing we accomplish anything!
But just because the world is noisy and cluttered doesn't mean we can't find peace through simplicity. In fact, these distractions are a reason to cut back on things that don't truly matter. Simplifying allows us to live happily in this present moment.
Ask yourself: is dealing with temporary conflicting emotions worth gaining lasting happiness, focus, and less stress? Hopefully, your answer is yes. When we consider the long-term benefits of engaging with our temporary emotional states, the payoff becomes abundantly clear. Gaining lasting happiness is not a result of avoiding discomfort but rather embracing it as part of the path to wisdom and self-awareness. When we understand and process these conflicting emotions, they lose their power to disrupt our lives, granting us a sense of clarity and focus. This renewed focus can lead to more mindful decisions, improved relationships, and a stronger sense of purpose in our everyday lives.
5 Questions to Simplify Your Life:
Ask yourself these 5 questions and see what pops up for you. Are you needing to simplify your life in some area as well? Ask yourself this:
1. Do I own possessions that make me feel guilty or regretful, and why?
2. Does my environment (physical or digital) distract me from what truly matters?
3. What tasks or chores do I feel overwhelmed by due to a cluttered space?
4. Am I holding on to things or habits that don't add value to my life?
5. How would embracing temporary discomfort or emotions help me achieve long-term happiness and clarity?
