How Tight Do You Hold On?

How Tight Do You Hold On - to people, to things, to past experiences?

Enjoying our relationships, the material items that surround us, and the amazing experiences that we encounter or plan, provide memories that we can reflect on throughout our life.

The ability to let go - of people, items, and experiences is difficult. However, if we hold too tight and are unable to let go, we risk losing the opportunity to meet new people, and experience new adventures or release some of our possessions and bless others by helping to meet their needs.

Why is it hard to let go?  Why do we hold on so tight?  

• seeking affection,
• seeking fulfillment,
• trust,
• encountering a misunderstanding with another,
• wanting to have what we were unable to as a child,
• wanting to give our children or loved ones the things they did not have growing up,
• seeking to fill our lives with things so we appear successful,
• seeking love,
• seeking satisfaction
• security,
• comfort.

“You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.”– Jan Glidewell

"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." Corrie Ten Boom

I read the following quote by Walt Disney, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

This quote inspires me.  It can be difficult and overwhelming to let go of people, things, and past experiences.  How many more people, things, and experiences will we encounter if we keep moving forward, opening new doors, undertaking new things, stepping out into a new adventure!

Corrie Ten Boom says it well with the following quote, "Hold loosely to the things of this life so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go."

Don't hold onto people, things, and past experiences so tightly, that you are too afraid to open new doors and allow your curiosity to lead you down new paths of adventure.

Decluttering - more than just cleaning out a space

When some people hear the word 'Declutter', they inwardly groan, roll their eyes, or make excuses.

For years, I held onto 'stuff'. There was no real reason except, that in the back of my mind, I reasoned it might be needed one day and we had worked hard to obtain it.

Then in 2020, the world turned upside down. We began going through the stored boxes in the shed. Opening some of the boxes revealed items that had been packed from moving back in 2007! 

During the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, I began the process of 'decluttering' the house.

Beginning wasn't easy. I read articles, watched shows, and started small.

After winter and then after again Christmas, I always felt overwhelmed by so much stuff around the house. Everyday cleaning seemed to be moving items around but never decreasing the volume of things.

We had talked about installing furniture to display our treasured pieces. So beginning with the bookcase, then progressing to wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, excess and old clothing, toys, DVD's, and items, we slowly began decluttering. 

Now in 2023, the house is easy to clean and maintain. I have time to appreciate my home. 

With the children now grown and living their own adventures, the house is much quieter. Having our space decluttered and simple allows us to enjoy time with friends, and not be overwhelmed, or stressed by piles of items. 

One of our pastors shared a quote in our weekly newsletter some time ago and this challenged me to think about what items I was holding onto and why. The quote: "Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go."

Decluttering, I found, wasn't just throwing everything out. Going through the process, helped me appreciate what I have, what we need, enjoy and use. Giving items away to others, charity, etc meant what we no longer needed was repurposed by others. 

Instead of hours and hours of cleaning each week, the house can be tidy in a short time.  

Yes, there's still the 'deeper' cleans to be undertaken, such as windows, walls, etc. But the general, day-to-day cleaning takes a short amount if time, allowing me to undertake other roles and projects.

If you are considering decluttering, be mindful about why you want 

to do this. Consider seriously what you need, what can be repurposed, donated or sold.

Be realistic and most of all, be kind to yourself in the process.