create space

When I was younger and on a camping trip with my grandparents, I remember my grandfather telling me to always leave a campsite in better shape than it was when I arrived. For some reason, that stuck with me and I have always tried to keep things in order, especially among all of the chaos that life brings on a daily basis. Recently I have noticed that the more organized and purposeful I keep myself, the more motivated and successful I am able to be.

With 2018 coming to end and the new year beginning, I think it is important to declutter your life and create space. When we allow ourselves to become enveloped by the disorganization and extra clutter in our lives, we limit what we are capable of becoming. If you'd like to know more about how I remain organized and purposeful, please keep reading.

Minimalism
Minimalism is an interesting concept. When many people first hear the word, they believe that minimalism means having little to no materiel items. That is not the case. Living with a minimalist's mindset simply means that everything a person owns serves a purpose and is useful in their lives. That does not mean that they use every item they own every day. Obviously having a winter coat is necessary for the colder months, but you are not going to bundle up in the middle of the summer. Someone that lives a minimalist lifestyle just doesn't hold on to things they do not need or do not use.

So go through your belongings. Get rid of the things you don't use or need. Clothes, for example, was an issue for me. I held onto so much clothing that I had the intention of wearing. However, most of those items didn't flatter me and realistically, never would. Over a span of a couple of weeks, I went through my clothes and I collected items that either did not fit properly or that I did not like. Some, I was able to sell at second hand stores, while the rest, I donated. Not only did I clear up space in my drawers and closet, but now, when I go to get dressed, I see only clothing that I am excited to wear.

The same goes for everything else. Make-up, skin care, books, and other miscellaneous items I have collected over the years were just taking up space. Why was I saving a face wash that I didn't enjoy using? Why was I saving books that I had no intention of reading again? Often times, certain things hold sentimental value, but that means it has purpose. I kept my favorite books, I kept the make-up and skin care products that I use for special occasions or for times when I want to take special care of my skin, but I got rid of the things that served little to no purpose for me.

Important papers and financials
The next task for me was to go through the rather large collection of papers I had stuffed into a box. I knew that a lot of the paperwork and bills in this box were important, but I also knew a lot of it was just junk. I bought a cheap, plastic, multi-pocket folder and went through every piece of paper that had been thoughtlessly stuffed into this box. Now, things like my birth certificate, tax paperwork, diploma, and insurance information all have a safe place to be stored.

Money is a constant stress for many people. Organizing your bills and at least acknowledging them is a big step in the right direction. It can be daunting to deal with, but stuffing them in a box or letting them pile on the kitchen table only prevents you from dealing with them sooner. 

​Social Media
A majority of people spend at least a little bit of time on social media everyday. Wouldn't you rather see people and posts that are relevant to you? Every so often, sit down and delete the people and pages that are unfamiliar to you or that do not bring positivity onto your feed. It might not seem important, but limiting what pages you like and who you follow can make a big difference in how you experience social media.

Everyone lives differently. There are some things that I don't think I could live without that another person has never even thought about once in their lives. What's important is to create a lifestyle that allows for you to grow. If you are being held down by the clutter that surrounds you, you're going to continue to drown. Do not stifle your abilities. You can't expect to move forward if you are holding onto items and junk from your past. Create space in you life for growth and possibility.