If you’ve been feeling consistently drained or low on energy, there may be an external reason for your internal condition. Take a moment and look around at your physical environment. Is your living or work space cluttered? Do things look dusty or dirty? Do you have a gigantic, perpetual to-do list? If you answered “yes”, your environmental clutter is very likely blocking you from new, positive energy flow.
Even people who are usually neat and organized can succumb to this energy zapper and not even realize it. I’ll confess, I am one of those people. Within a few months of starting my business, my once tidy office became a minefield of piles waiting to be sorted and put away. Admittedly, I was ignoring the task, telling myself I didn’t have time to take care of it.
With a writing deadline looming, I blankly stared at my computer screen. It became clear that my creative mind was blocked. I was feeling agitated, restless and I struggled to focus. It dawned on me that I was stuck because of the clutter all over the desk and floor of my office. The piles were a constant subconscious reminder of the task I was resisting. Once I took the time to put everything in its proper place, I felt immediately lighter, more at peace, and back in Universal flow.
Here are three tips to help you identify your energy zappers and create a happier, more peaceful space.
1. Reduce Physical Clutter
A home or work place full of excess stuff can be visually overwhelming and constantly remind you of everything on your task list. If you feel closed off or resistant when you walk into a room, that is a sign that you may need to purge some items and clear the energy. Find places for the items you love and use (in a drawer/closet/container), everything else should be tossed into a recycle bin or donated. If you are unsure about discarding certain items, put them in a labeled storage box and put it in storage. If you find you haven’t used an item in 6 months, get rid of it for good.
2. Clean Up
A dirty home environment is just as energy-sucking as a cluttered one. The dirty dishes in the sink, the pile of laundry to wash, dry and fold, and the dust building up on the furniture are distracting and depleting your energy flow. Take a day on the weekend and schedule time to clean your home. Put on some music and have fun with it. Once you’ve finished, look around and really feel the difference. Be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done! Then adopt a clean-as-you-go approach to easily maintain the healthier, vibrant energy of your living space.
3. Minimize Your Mental Clutter
These days we all have an epic have-to list on any given day. But, a regularly unfinished task list drags you down, leading to mental clutter and blocked energy. Try chunking-down and prioritizing your list to only the few things you absolutely need to accomplish that day. Move other tasks that can be put off for another day onto a separate list. Perhaps, in doing this exercise you’ll realize some lesser tasks can be eliminated altogether. By creating an achievable short-list, you eliminate overwhelm and set yourself up for success. As you check off each thing, your mental load will lighten, your energy level will increase, and you will feel oh-so accomplished.
(Virtual high-five!!)
Try these tips to clear and cleanse your personal spaces, inside and out. When you treat these areas of your life with loving care, you’ll enjoy more clarity, satisfaction and joy.
