Why Do We Need to Create More Space?

Making space for what matters and letting go of what does not serve us well lies at the core of living a happy and healthy life. And it’s not a new idea either.

Many years ago, long before the concept of minimalism gained popularity, my grandmother used to tell me that clutter blocks the way for good things that want to enter our life. Even when they are out there, she said, they just cannot make it past our minds overloaded with thoughts, worries or fears, our schedules filled with things that we don’t really need to be doing and can’t even remember why we said yes to in the first place, or our spaces filled with stuff we often do not like. Every time I faced hardship, she told me to let go of something that didn’t serve me: a toxic feeling, an unhealthy relationship, an item that wasn’t being used.

I wish she had lived long enough to see that whatever she used to teach me lies now at the core of the philosophy of mindfulness and mindful consumerism. I wish she had written a book and pioneered that whole movement :) I also wish I had taken her advice earlier, because as a rebellious teenager I would normally just brush it off.

Nowadays, living in the consumers’ paradise, I do realize that we can acquire anything we want, and any quantities of it, but it doesn’t always do us good. I used to be an emotional shopper. Shopping was my retreat when I felt sad, and when I was happy I also celebrated by going to the mall. Gaining or losing even just a bit of weight gave me an excuse to go on a shopping spree. Even after I adopted a capsule wardrobe, I still kept shopping for books, stationery, kitchenware or home decor items. And then I had to deal with all that clutter that created mess and unnecessary stress, drained my energy, made me feel stuck and had a way of multiplying and creating overwhelm in other areas of my life as well. On my way towards a happier and healthier life the first major step was quite trivial — it was going back to basics and remembering my values.

This is when I realized that my value has always been simplicity, which for me signifies beauty, calm, clarity and, of course, space: space for fun, space for creativity, space for growth, space for rest. If you are on a similar journey and find yourself in need of more space, more balance, or more time, you can begin eliminating clutter and simplifying your life.

Have you ever considered re-evaluating your possessions, or your schedule, and letting go of what does not add value, what you do not need or like, or what doesn’t serve you? I found that it helps a lot to discuss this with the people you live with, your flatmates or your partner, and ask for their support, or try to reach an agreement with them. No need to do this journey alone: you can work together to make your home represent who you truly are and what you want to be, make it clean, simple and open, fill it with sunlight and air.

Set the boundaries based on your values: this will provide a much needed structure and clarity. I found that writing a list of things you want to say YES and NO to is very helpful in setting the boundaries and having clear priorities in life or in work/business. It made me realize that certain activities or people threw me off balance and then it took me a long time to recover. Removing those from my life (or at least limiting their presence) created the necessary space for growth and creativity that had been stifled before. Letting go of mental clutter also had a detoxifying effect, as simplicity created more freedom and joy. Now we conduct regular audits to ensure all those areas remain tidy and organized. It’s really easy to get off track, so keep checking in with yourself or your family, if you are still making the right choices, if you are still living according to your values.

Today I would like to encourage you to examine your living space, wardrobe and office and take note of all the things that you see there. Ask yourself,

- Are they essential? Are they fulfilling their purpose?

- Are they inspiring / motivating?

- Do you see any clutter, and if yes, do you believe that it might be taking the place of something else in your life? The truth is, it might be robbing you of something: joy, confidence, creativity or peace of mind.

• What is the one thing you could do today to invite simplicity?

I would also like to encourage you to consider living only with what adds value and meaning to your life. What can you do today to take a step in that direction? Here are a few practical steps you can start with:

1. Consider switching to a capsule wardrobe or adopting a uniform; this will make it easier to get ready for work or school in the morning, and eliminate the decision fatigue.

2. Clean up your work space removing both physical and digital clutter. Categorize by creating theme folders and drawers: it will save you time when looking for important documents.

3. At home, get rid of any items in your pantry that are not being used, broken, or duplicated, and organize the rest. Having a clean kitchen makes it more fun to create in, and explore new recipes.

4. With your children, go through the items they own, donate or sell what they no longer use, or what, in the words of Marie Kondo, does not spark joy.

5. With your partner, do an audit of your finances, create a plan for eliminating debt, or set short term and long term goals and start saving for your next vacation, or next big purchase.

These are just 5 simple ideas to get you started on organizing your life and making space for what truly matters! Cluttered environment contributes to anxiety and depression, while clearing our heads and homes gives room for joy, calm and inspiration. How exciting is it to think about what you can use the newly found space and time for? I am convinced that it will open doors for more positive changes, and I can’t wait to hear your stories!