Clearing
a Space for Change
The Weight of Objects
In life, we tend to have an
easier time acquiring possessions than we do getting rid of them. Just as we
harbor emotional baggage that is difficult to let go of, our lives can tend to
be filled with material objects that we may feel compelled to hold on to. Most
people are not conscious of how much they own and how many of their possessions
are no longer adding value to their life. They fiercely hold on to material
objects because this makes them feel secure or comfortable. While it’s true that
the ownership of “stuff�?can make you feel good for awhile, it seldom satisfies
the deep inner longings that nearly everyone has for fulfillment and
satisfaction. It is only when we are ready to let go of our baggage and be
vulnerable that it becomes possible to recognize the emotional hold that our
possessions can have on us.
It’s not uncommon to hold on to material
objects because we are attached to them or fear the empty spaces that will
remain if we get rid of them. Giving away the souvenirs from a beloved voyage
may feel like we are erasing the memory of that time in our life. We may also
worry that our loved ones will feel hurt if we don’t keep the gifts they’ve
given us. It’s easy to convince ourselves that unused possessions might come in
handy someday or that parting with them will cause you emotional pain. However,
when your personal space is filled with objects, there is no room for anything
new to enter and stay in your life. Your collection of belongings may “protect�?
you from the uncertainties of an unknown future while keeping you stuck in the
past. Holding on to unnecessary possessions often goes hand in hand with holding
on to pain, anger, and resentment, and letting go of your material possessions
may help you release emotional baggage.
When you make a conscious
decision to fill your personal space with only the objects that you need or
bring you joy, your energy level will soar. Clearing your personal space can
lead to mental clarity and an improved memory. As you learn to have a more
practical and temporary relationship to objects, positive changes will happen,
and you’ll have space to create the life that you desire.