Sometimes when we are the cusp of a big life transformation, the universe gets very noisy if I stop listening. Last night at two in the morning, a loud voice was screaming in my head that I had to clear out all that heavy emotions that are holding me down. And the next step of that process was to purge out my closet.
I realized that I store memories in my clothing. Clothing that looks exquisite and rocks my body needs to get OUT of my closet if reminds me of a person or a moment that hurts my feelings. I spend three hours removing half of my clothes from my wardrobe.
I also was holding on to clothing that was past its prime because it contained positive feelings. Some of the items were worn out, tattered. Others just did not flatter my body. I’ve been wearing my teenage daughters’ clothes because she’s in Argentina for the year and I miss her. But they do not look good on me. I can find other ways to keep her close, like a bracelet of hers, than a shirt from Forever 21.
Compliments also can weigh me down. There are lots clothes out there that somebody thinks I look good in but don’t serve me. This statement also holds true for jobs, friendships, ways of speaking to others, and just about everything that matters.
So, questions to remember the next time I clean out a closet (or need to let go of anything in my life big or small)
- Am I holding onto things that hurt my feelings and pull me down? Does this have a negative memory attached to it that I don’t want have to ever think about again?
- Am I clutching to past memories of joy—even when they no longer me going forward?
- Am I holding onto this because others think I “should”
Happy winterizing of your closets. And for those of you feeling that twinge of a feeling that change is coming, clear the space you need physically, mentally, and emotionally to prepare for what is coming. Even if we don’t know what it is yet.