We recognize physical clutter, but do we know when it’s time for a spiritual decluttering?
This post was originally published as a guest post on Cyndi Briggs’s blog The Sophia Project.That blog is no longer active, so I’ve refreshed the post and am sharing it here again.
Spiritual life gets cluttered too
Some days, my prayer time is frenetic, and my mind bounces all over the place. I’m sure I must seem like a squirming puppy on God’s lap, cute and lovable perhaps, but unwilling to settle down and enjoy a peaceful and meaningful interaction.
This unsettled feeling is just one sign I might need a little spiritual de-cluttering.
Spiritual de-cluttering is getting rid of as many distractions as possible to create the sacred space in which we can meet and connect with the divine power in our lives.
It makes perfect sense: if a clean desk contributes to increased productivity in my business life, a clean spirit can do the same in my spiritual life.
Watch for the signs
Besides the challenge of achieving mental calm during prayer time, there are other signs it might be time to step back, take stock, identify the distractions or obstacles, and consider what might need to be swept out of your life.
- Emotional fragility
When I break out in tears (or want to) without any easily identifiable cause, I know I’m either tired or overcommitted. - Unusual anxiety
Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it escalates for no obvious reason, there’s usually something else going on. - Relegating God to a to-do list
Most of us hit the floor running in the morning. I start my day with quiet time, but far too often, I realize I was in “get it done” mode and didn’t seriously engage in meditation or prayer. - Restlessness
“Clutter is postponed decisions.” (Barbara Hemphill, organizational expert). If I’m honest with myself, my restlessness may stem from grappling with choices that stir me up until I’ve made a decision.
Take action
Spiritual de-cluttering must be intentional and, like physical de-cluttering, it has to be repeated from time to time. Consider these tips I’ve found helpful:
- Get up earlier, before the household gets too busy and distracting.
- Take a walk.
Breathe in the natural beauty all around and breathe out your frustrations and worries. - Finish what you start and beware of procrastination—it causes stress.
- Honestly identify worries and hard feelings.
Dump them in an imaginary trash can, close the lid down tightly, and resist the urge to take it off. - Think about the emotional triggers in your life.
Acknowledging them is a step towards diminishing their power over you. - Notice the connection between your inner feelings and your outer surroundings.
Would some physical de-cluttering of your home or office help? I’ve written about this before: “Find yourself when you remove the clutter.” - Delegate or resign.
Ask yourself if you are over-committed or if there’s any activity you can change. I often find delegating or resigning from something can make a huge difference to my inner calm. - Get enough sleep.
I know I suggested getting up earlier, but perhaps your schedule could include a nap or an earlier bedtime. - Take some downtime before you go to bed.
If I work at my computer right up until bedtime, I rarely sleep as well. - Try a “brain dump” before you go to bed.
Are you worried about forgetting to do something important? Get in the habit of doing writing down your to-do list at the end of each day. This enables you to go to sleep and know you’ll be reminded in the morning. - Try meditation.
I have enjoyed the app “Headspace” and find its approach to reducing the noise in my head is refreshing and non-threatening.
Lay claim to your sacred space
You’ve worked hard clearing a sacred space. Now step into it.
Make yourself at home.
In your mind’s eye, feel the fresh air, the warmth of a sunbeam. Listen to the burble of water in the courtyard fountain, the tinkle of wind chimes. Come with an open heart and a grateful spirit, ready to receive the gifts of Spirit.
Start now
Don’t slog through your life under the weight of unnecessary spiritual clutter. Lighten your load and let the sunshine in! Let me know what helps you most to create sacred space in your life. We’re all on this journey together.
You might find this interesting and comprehensive resource helpful: “The Ultimate Guide to Spiritual Meditation.”
“What I know for sure: Our internal space has to be given the same level of respect and diligent attention as the external.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
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Elizabeth, this is SO timely! I needed the reminder that I can retreat into my ‘sacred space’ within at any time. This is a space I ‘set up’ for myself a long time ago, and I’ve been neglecting it lately. Thank you for giving me permission to open the door and enter once again.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Ellen. I’m so glad you reminded us all that the sacred space we create is, indeed, a sanctuary, both for healing and recharging.
Hoo Boy, have I been decluttering! When I first got my new place here in CA, I started making a list of all the “stuff” I wanted from storage on the east coast. By now, I’ve crossed a lot off that list…”stuff” I no longer need to be really me.
I’ve been wallowing in my aloneness…the same way our dog used to wallow in a stinky puddle…sheer joy at doing MY thing MY way. But I’m just about wallowed out for now and ready to connect with people again. My desk pad calendar has entries on it. A to-do list adorns the fridge. Sticky notes have reappeared and the paperwork I hate is slowly getting filed with “done” and the date scribbled on the sticky.
My new mantra is going to be “clutter is postponed decisions”. I sure needed to read that! Thanks to Cyndi and thanks to you, Elizabeth.
Esther, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and clearly you’re experiencing exactly what I was talking about. I was glad to come across this piece which I wrote three years ago and find it’s still a message we all need to hear. It also reminded me that my father always believed that indecision was the cause of more personal unhappiness in the world than a lot of other things we tend to think of as happiness-robbers. The older I get, the more I think he was right.
This was just lovely. I feel calmer just having read your post. This morning I awakened wishing I had made a list of what I wanted to accomplish today. Being new to this semi-retired life is great in many ways but I’ve been going to bed without a plan; a plan for the next day has been a part of my life for thirty+ years. Initially that’s exactly what I thought I wanted, but many things slip ‘through the cracks’ this way. So I continue to rethink my life.
My art studio is close to being functional, and the new computer has been ordered. I’m running out of excuses for putting off what I love to do, design and paint. Meditation/prayer is the thing that will bring it all together for me. The physical things are nearly finished. Thank you for the much needed reminder, Elizabeth.
Mickey, I’m so, so glad this resonated with you, and I very much appreciate your sharing where you are in life. I think “retirement” is one of those life passages that is very different from one person to another, and it can make you feel you’ve lost your moorings. The women I know who’ve made the transition most successfully are those who don’t mind living with the questions and don’t rush to fill the “holes” in their schedule. They wait expectantly awhile until they find the perfect new connections to bring life meaning. If we don’t keep some space available in our lives, those perfect opportunities will pass us by because we haven’t made room for them.
How do you do it? Just when I need a post like this, it pops up. I’ve been feeling out of sorts all week. I know it’s partly the weather, but there is more to it than that. All sorts of little things have been going wrong at work. And I have been procrastinating on my poetry project – I need to get back to that! I have an emotional trigger that I have identified, but I don’t know how to let it go – because it has to do with family, it’s hard to ignore. I don’t think I’ve slept well for 20 years! I’d love to take a walk…our secretaries group does most days at lunch time, but we can’t get out right now – too darn cold! I plan on getting a treadmill soon, but I do love to get outside and walk. Your timing on this post was perfect. Thanks, E.
Karen, I’m so glad you found this helpful (though sorry you’ve got so much anxiety roiling around in your life). Sounds like you need a brain dump– get it all out on paper. I don’t know what it is about putting your head on the pillow at night, but that’s when all those things seem bigger, scarier, and harder to solve than they do in the light of day. When I am chronically tired, EVERYTHING seems more stressful. I wonder if the first thing you should tackle is why you’re not sleeping. Love beaming your way…
“Lay claim to your sacred space,” Elizabeth directs. What good recommendations on how to sweep away the clutter that keeps us out of that space. Thanks, Elizabeth, for a warm and heartfelt reminder of the pleasure of lightening our load and relaxing in serenity.
Thank you so much, Annette! I’ve learned a lot from you about dealing with life’s challenges without losing either faith or hope!