Decluttering - Mind and Matter

When I moved to my current home back in 2013, I had dreams of keeping a beautiful house – replete with a vegetable garden, beautiful paintings and bed linen, reading nooks, an amazing wardrobe and drool worthy cutlery. 

Well, then life happened! Shuttling between multiple cities, a major illness, pregnancy and child rearing, back stabbing by colleagues and non-co-operation from one side of ‘family’,  saw all dreams – both professional and personal – crumble into dust. My house turned into a pig sty and I turned into a person I never wanted to be … I was overwhelmed by the lack of space – in my house and in my brain. I initially thought of moving into a bigger house, but realized that it would have to wait – at least another couple of years.

Last month, I celebrated my younger one’s second birthday and I realized that I no longer have excuses to postpone spring cleaning – within and without.

When I started taking stock, I realized that I had unconsciously already started the process of de-cluttering – I don’t enjoy shopping much anyway and being a highly sensitive introvert meant that it was easier to not stay in touch with people. Beginning this year, I had shunned all contact with people, except for professional reasons. Most weekends, my phone would be completely switched off. I weaned myself off social media and drastically reduced time spent on Whatsapp. I hadn’t purchased anything for myself or my kids either – except the mandatory back to school shopping! Hubby did gift me material stuff for birthdays and other special occasions.

I had already thrown out a lot of my clothes which I had put aside hoping to wear someday! But, now I know that going back to a 26 inch waist is not going to happen any time soon..

The other day I gave a lot of old stuff to my maid – beds, storage units and so on. I felt immensely happy that I have at least made a small start on de-cluttering my space. I still have miles to go, and I have promised myself that I will not buy anything till I throw away every useless thing in my house.

De-cluttering the brain is even tougher. But, last couple of weeks gave me time with two dear friends and cheered me up… There is still a long way to go before I reach the stage of crystal clear clarity on what I want out of life and razor sharp focus on achieving it. But, at least I have started taking baby steps. And just as a baby will fall several times before walking becomes second nature, I know it will take me quite a while to reach the zen stage I aspire for…The trick is to never lose hope…and curiosity…and persist in the search…