Decluttering Your Inner Life
Valerie invites us into a simple reflection practice to declutter our souls.
Recently, here at Intentionally Ordinary, we have been doing some reorganizing and decluttering in our closets and kitchen drawers. We have been taking small steps that are making a big difference. At the end of last year, we were starting to feel those uncomfortable feelings that come from disorganization and clutter; feelings of frustration, irritation and annoyance, to name a few.
Just like external clutter in our homes or work environments can have negative effects on our lives, the same is true for internal soul clutter. Signs of soul clutter can include stress, worry, irritability, anxiety, depression and more (if needed, please see a medical professional if you are struggling in this area). Even if you are not experiencing any of these feelings, it is always a good idea to include soul declutter as a regular part of your soul care.
Here are some easy and practical steps for decluttering your soul:
Set aside a small chunk of time to spend in silence and solitude. Quiet your mind and body and allow yourself to pay attention to what feelings and thoughts surface.
Ask questions such as: Is there something that is bothering me? Someone I need to forgive? Something I need to give up? Something I need to change?
Invite Jesus into this time of searching and again pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.
End your time with space to just relax and breathe. So often our souls are in need of rest and time to just be without pressure or criticism. Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the moment.
Respond by writing down what you have discovered and make a plan. It is also a good idea to share with a soul friend to help you further process or provide accountability.
So often we just need to stop and pay attention. When we make this a regular practice, we will often find we are more at peace, more content and less overwhelmed by daily life.
Another great resource for soul decluttering is to meet with a Spiritual Director. As a trained listener, your Director can help you identify areas of your life that are disordered or unattended to, that cause feelings of distress or unease. It is also a time for you to receive empathy and clarity and rest for your soul.
Let’s be intentional to take small steps, together, towards happier, healthier souls!