Greetings. 2012 and 2013 are going to be big years for transformation and change in peoples lives so I encourage everyone (if you have not started yet) to now start lightening your loads. Lighten both the inner and outer realities (metaphorically and literally).

Start to unburden your selves internally from all the unresolved thoughts and emotions you have not yet dealt with. One easy way to do this is by starting a journal. Write about those situations from your past that you can not seem to let go of.

Then let yourself have a good objective look at them from all directions. Challenge yourself to view what may OR may not of occurred from the eyes of everyone involved. Ask yourself where was each persons mind set at, at that time? How were they emotionally and psychologically? What kind of logic were they using at the time? Were they coming from a fear base or a loving base?

Most likely you may find it is our ego structure that is doing the holding on and not our heart center. The ego may be clinging on to the past experiences because it may of felt cheated, or it feels the need to have some kind of “I am going to get back at you” attitude, or it simply is scared to let go and change.

One of the quickest ways to shift the holding on to things is to first not fight it. Give yourself permission to simply be with it (the feeling we had or will have, emotions of the situation, any thoughts and energy) as you observe from a nonjudgmental way. Then adjust your level of personal identification of the situation (whether it is from the past or the future) the moment you notice (in the present) that you have chosen to remove yourself from a present, smooth flow, to the stuck holding on opinionated experience about what happened or is yet to come. (On a side note this is one way we can change the future before we arrive in that point in time/space). As you practice this technique it will become easier and easier for you to do.

We also need to mirror the internal unburdening by grounding it into the physical. How is this done you may ask? Start to act differently in the present moment as soon as you have a recognition you are reacting to a circumstance or situation instead of acting by choice.

While we are freeing ourself internally we should also spend some time clearing the physical clutter (or stuff) in our personal spaces (homes and work offices). The places you spend your time in. How do we do this? Have a sale, give the unused items to friends or a charity so others can make use of the things or simply toss them in the garbage. Tossing things will help drive home the value we place on objects and may assist you to appreciate what you have even more.

For decluttering a good rule to go by is if you have not used it in the last 2 to 3 months it can go. Anything longer then 6 months (with the exception of special occasion items like a few prized holiday decorations or a couple keepsakes you are displaying) get the supper fast pass out the door. Sending items on their way frees up the energy of our space so we can be more relaxed and in a deeper presence of peace. To help keep areas from getting refilled try having this rule: One item in one item out. So if you bring home a magazine get rid of one (better yet would be to get rid of 2). Clear out broken things or the things you will “get fixed” someday.

A cleaned, clear, easy to move (or work in) environment is a side affect of people that are able to let things go and keep themselves in the flow.

If you are a clutter bug there is hope. Examine why you have a need to surround yourself with stuff. Deep down inside you, you will discover the reason and it most likely will not be what you first thought.

When I did this hard self examination I was surprised at what I got. Yes I am a recovering clutter bug and I need to be attentive clutter does not start to creep back in. When I notice it starting to re-build up I use that as a cue to indicate I am not living as present as I can. I take a deep breath and ask myself, “Am I living authentically from within the present experience or have I regressed somewhat into unrealistic expectations or old habit patterns”?

When you get the answer simply shift any or all of these that are the source cause that are allowing you to choose to let the clutter (or stuff) back in. Your thinking, your feelings, the intent you have within you, or how you are choosing to concentrate yourself into this reality.

Got an article related thought, question or did you find this article helpful? Drop me a comment below.