5 Steps To Releasing Emotional Clutter
We all have emotional baggage. It’s natural to feel happy and sad, mad and afraid. But if you live with it for too long, your feelings start to weigh on you like an overstuffed suitcase.
The more clutter we let into our lives—whether it’s mental, physical or spiritual—the more difficult it is to find the space we need to be our best selves.
The good news is that clutter doesn't just go away on its own; it takes work! We should be proactive about letting go of our old stresses, resentments, and worries so that we can live fuller and more productive lives.
One of the best ways to start is with a simple 5-step process I call #EscapeTheClutter.
Step 1: Let It Out
If you’re holding on to something that’s making you feel stressed out, irritated or worried, it’s time to let it go. Yell into a pillow, cry in your car or let out any other feelings you have about the situation (without causing a scene, of course). You can also write about it in a journal or share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust. While the way we release our emotions may be different, the goal is to not let all that negative energy be bottled up inside of us.
Step 2: Identify the Emotional Clutter
After you’ve vented, take some time to reflect on the situation that upset you so much. Think about what exactly bothered you and whether it was worth getting upset about in the first place. Ask yourself, “Was it worth the upset?” or “Will this matter in a month or a year?” Are your feelings tied to a specific action on someone else's part or is it your own expectation that is causing stress? This can be difficult to admit, but once you do, refusing to hold on to your frustration will be easier.
Step 3: Find the Root Cause
When you find yourself thinking about the situation again, instead of rehashing your thoughts, try to find out what triggered your emotions. Was it something said or done? Were you feeling unappreciated? If you can pinpoint the source of your emotional response, you’ll be able to better understand what was behind it and why it still bothers you now.
Step 4: Forgive Yourself
We all make mistakes; so instead of beating yourself up for what happened in the past, forgive yourself and move forward. By accepting that you made a mistake and forgiving yourself for it, you also make room for change—and hopefully avoid making the same mistake again in the future.
Step 5: Let Go
Once you’ve forgiven yourself and accepted that the past is the past, it’s time to let go of your feelings. It might not seem like it at first, but I promise you: You don't need to keep all this emotional baggage around! It serves no purpose and will only continue to bring you down. So why hold on? When you do, it makes room for the positive emotions that define who you are and make life fun.
If letting go isn't easy right now, start by making small changes in your life that will make a big difference over time. Try doing or saying something different each day to relieve some of the stress in your life. You don't have to go overboard, but a simple smile or kind word to someone you encounter during the day can make all the difference.
When you're done doing these steps, it's time for step 6: Release Your Clutter.
6 Steps To Releasing Emotional Clutter [ARTICLE END]
Well, that was a simple but profound article from Ron Strom. He has some suggestions in there that I am sure are easily followed and will help us let go on things we may be holding back on. It seems simple, but it is hard to be more aware and conscious of things we don’t even realize are holding us back. I highly recommend you all to read this article and apply these 6 steps to your life!
Blessings,
Ron Strom http://www.theartofadventure.net is a patented author and the founder of The Art of Adventure: A Journey Into the Heart of an Extraordinary Life, a coaching company for men who have experienced heartache, struggle or feel stuck in their lives. selling international motivational real estate video DVDs now! - Search for "The Art of Adventure" on Amazon .com .
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info@theartofadventure.net
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