Decluttering is my middle name right now. What I am decluttering:
Things. My sister and I have spent the last three years going through most of Mom and Dad’s house. We have donated a lot but have also brought things home. Me, especially. Way too many things so I am in a constant state of going through, organizing, and donating. It is very satisfying, to be honest. To start with a cluttered mishmash, figure out what to keep and let the rest go. I’m not good at that last part. Not with things or feelings.
Feelings, thoughts, and attitudes. When it came to my feelings, thoughts, and especially attitude, I usually just go with it. I don’t believe that is what God calls us to do. Rather, Paul tells us in Philippians:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, ESV.)
How do we do this? There are times when my brain is so crowded with words, thoughts, and feelings that I can’t even pull out a single clear thought. Taking a deep breath, mentally wading through each thought, and pushing aside those that don’t align with Philippians 4:8 can bring me back to a place of calm and peace. Just because a thought pops into my mind doesn’t mean I have to let it linger there, or that I have to think about it.
Pain, hurt, past trauma. I do tend to get bogged down in this area. I know it is a form of PTSD. I learned that in my many counseling sessions (she says flippantly but truthfully.) This is a tough one and I don’t have any answers for you and how you should deal with pain, hurt, and trauma, whether in the past or ongoing. I can only tell you how I deal with them and I’m not very good at it, to be honest. But something that has really been working for me lately is the truth that no matter what is happening or has happened, God loves me. He loves you. I have and still do question that Truth. And when I question, I research. And pray. Pulling myself out of the muddy pit, where my bestie Jennifer would say I often hung curtains and sat down to stay awhile, always took grabbing my Bible and reading. Especially the Psalms. David, especially, covers every single thought, feeling, action, sin, hurt, and trauma imaginable, and God always answered. And He still does. And if you don’t journal? You should start. I have always been a writer. I have stories (with drawings) from when I was in elementary school. In high school, I took a psych class and journaling was part of our grade. And our teacher, Ms. Keltz, would read and comment on our journaling every weekend. Which was a bit disconcerting and didn’t lead to a lot of honesty. But it solidified my habit of writing things down.
It is a gorgeous morning here in Southwest Virginia. A morning full of hints of fall. I am off to enjoy it.
Share any thoughts you have about decluttering in the comments.
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