Clearing and Cleaning

Packing Up the Junk

“There was so much stuff we never used and that was just taking up space. We vowed when we started over, we’d replace only what we needed, and this time we’d do it right. We’ve kept our promise: We don’t have much now, but what we have is exactly what we want.”

Elaine St. James (Living the Simple Life, p.148)

          In St. James’ book, Living the Simple Life, the quote above was from friends whose home was destroyed in a natural disaster. With everything gone, they were able to start over in ways that minimized their possessions. Most of us hopefully will not live through such a catastrophic event, but we can still live simply.

          I am in the middle of the annual “clean out the basement” event. It seems a never-ending chore, but truly, progress is being made. I am having some work done that has provided the incentive to finish what I started decades ago. And I’m finding it easier to let things go this time—to everything there is a season, right?

          One thing that helps me to let useful items go is knowing that I can take them to a thrift store and someone else will benefit from them. Sometimes it feels a little selfish, like transferring my “junk” to someone else just so they can get rid of it instead of me. So be it. Whatever it takes to unload what is just taking up space and will never be used again here.

          As always when I “clean out the basement” things happen on several levels. When I’m wrestling with my own shadow (she’s a witch, let me tell you) and need to think it through, cleaning out the basement is the vehicle. This week, as I packed up the collection of a lifetime of memorabilia, I pulled out photo albums from my childhood that came from Mother’s house. They were all smelly and moldy from sitting in boxes, but the photos were still clear. I flipped through the pages, studying all the people who helped form me into who I am now—whether for good or for bad. Instead of quickly scanning the photos, I looked at the person or persons—what does their body language tell me; what seems to be their emotional state; what do I remember about them; what feelings do they arouse in me? For instance, there’s one snapshot of my entire family, including grandparents, lined up in front of my parent’s house. Everyone is looking rather grimly at the camera except for me. I’m looking away from the whole clan and the camera. Then I remember my sister once telling me, “You were always in your own little world.” Perhaps the way I dealt with my family was to “look away;” to go away into my own thoughts and withdraw from the drama.

This is what I mean by unearthing the “junk” on a different level. Now I can ask myself, do I want to carry that attitude forward, or pack it up and let it go? I can simplify my life by dealing with things in the present moment rather than withdrawing and avoiding.

          The simplification of life makes sense on many levels. It helps us to get rid of what is unneeded or even destructive to our wholeness. If it doesn’t serve a purpose for you, then let it go. Unload all your non-essential baggage, whether physical or emotional, and allow a clean sweep to clear things away. Transform the space outside you and inside you into a sanctuary. Create an opening for something new to come in. Give yourself room to breathe and simply be. The treasure you’ll find is the joy of having exactly what you want and nothing more.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane