Posts

Facing Our Clutter Fears

/in , , , , /by

Facing Our Clutter Fears

Life Recovery

Life Recovery for the Cluttered Soul; how to face your fears and transform your life –
© artwork by Leigha Diesel

When it comes to clutter, there can be many reasons why someone is fearful. They may be afraid if they let something go they may need it again or they won’t be able to replace it. 

You see, although in some respects the clutter represents chaos and being out of control, it can also for some, be a source of comfort.  Comfort in a way where one’s things replace or substitute areas of one’s life where they may be experiencing a sense of lack.

It is understandable one may “think” this, especially when the reason they held onto their stuff for so long was because it helped them through some difficult times.  So hence, letting go, may trigger other emotions that can create a sense of loss.

Fear are stories we tell ourselves and there can be many layers of fear.  Underneath these layers is usually something we are terribly afraid of. 

So how do we fight fear?  By facing it head on.

Here is where knowledge about one’s self becomes your best strategy to fight your fear.  Why?  Because it’s impossible to control something you know nothing about.  But you can control your outcome from what you understand.  Therefore, understanding what is driving your fear helps you not only confront what you are afraid of but helps you fight back and change it. 

Let’s take a hypothetical situation and use this as a case in point.  Let’s say you have a house full of clutter.  Your desire is to be organized and orderly.  However, you have much fear when it comes to releasing your stuff.  Yet, you feel equally fearful that if you don’t do something about it, it will really get out of control. 

One approach to overcoming your fear is to create a vision of what you would like to see happen for yourself.  An example would be, “I would like to have more open space in my home and have everything in its place.”  Then take a moment to visualize what that may actually look like in your home.

Next, ask yourself, “Why is this vision important to me?”  A simple answer may be, “I am tired of not being able to find my things and spending too much time looking for them.”

Another question from there may be, “How would this vision affect the quality of your life?” And an answer may be, “It would make my life more manageable, reduce stress and give me peace of mind.”

 Now let’s look at this together.  You have a house full of clutter.  You want to be clutter-free.  You want to be clutter free because you understand that it will provide you with a better quality of life.  This much we know so far.  Yes?

Okay, now we get to the good part.  Facing the fear head on…

So let me ask you something, “If you want all these things that you say you do, what’s stopping you?”  And you may answer with something like this, “Well, I’ve tried many times before but I never succeeded.  And I guess in truth, I’m “afraid” that I may need my things one day if I get rid of them I won’t be able to get them back.”

Aha!  There it is.  The thought that you planted in your head that you will never be able to recover something is so ingrained, that it paralyzes you from moving forward with your vision.  And the truth of the matter is that the chances of you never really being able to  find, obtain or purchase those “things” again is pretty slim.  So it’s an un-truth you told yourself that you “bought” into.  Hence, causing you to feel terribly afraid.

So here it is.  The story of fear and underneath all those layers is an untruth.  In part, it’s been the story you may have been telling yourself all this time because in some way it was helping you cope with something that may have been causing you distress.  Therefore, “letting go” may symbolize for you a loss of not having something important in your life when times get tough.  “For, if not for your clutter, what would you cling to?”

It’s fascinating, isn’t it?

But the good news is that today, you know better.  By facing what you are truly afraid of you have the power to change it.  You know this is just an old story that keeps replaying, over and over.  All you have to ask yourself now is “How would your life be different if you were able to overcome this?”  Just imagine the possibilities for you!

Note:

This is an excerpt of Patricia’s new book – Life Recovery for the Cluttered Soul; how to face your fears and transform your life which will be available this Spring. 

 

Are You Still Holding On?

/in , , /by
Are you still holding on to old ways yet yearning for a new way?  Think about that for a moment…yes, yes, think about that.
Holding On & Letting Go

Let me help you simplify this in the bigger picture, so to speak.Neale Donald Walsch said this and I believe he is spot on…He said,

“That yearning for a new way will not produce it.  Only ending the old way can do that.

You cannot hold onto the old all the while declaring that you want something new.

The old will defy the new;
the old will deny the new;
the old will decry the new.

There is only one way to bring in the new.

You must make room for it.”
Allow me to share something with you if I may…You see, I know what it feels like to let go.  I believe it’s a very intimate process one experiences when they release and end something.I also recognize that it can be difficult for people to let go or end something because they are fearful of the unknown.  They are not sure of what their outcome will be and worry if it will be better, worse, or if they will end up regretting their decision.

So inevitably they do nothing. 

But what most people don’t realize is that not to decide is to decide.  You are deciding to do nothing – so it’s still a decision.

Ask yourself:

  • What are you deciding right now by not deciding?
  • What are you choosing by failing to choose?

As Jack Canfield suggests:

“Sometimes people stay stuck because they fall into a dangerous trap of settling for less than they deserve in the name of gratitude.”

Here are some examples:
“Rather than taking action and asking for a raise… they say, “Well, I should be grateful I have a job.”

“Rather than taking action and asking for what they want in a relationship… they say, “Well, I should be grateful that my partner is faithful.”

“Rather than taking action and looking for a bigger house… they say, “Well, I should be grateful that I have a house when so many people don’t.”

Here’s the thing, friends… 

  • Wanting more doesn’t mean that you’re ungrateful or greedy.
  • Letting go and releasing the old allows for a grander, better life.
  • Making room for the new creates the opportunity for you to express and demonstrate your higher self.

It is time now.  It’s time to make a decision.  You don’t want to live your life by default, do you?  Here is your signal – take it!

Ask The Coach: Do You Have A Burning Question For Me?

/in , , /by

Ask The Coach:  Do You Have A Burning Question For Me?

There’s a lot of information out there about how to recover from life’s challenges.

But how do you sort it all out to bring about clarity and order in one’s life?

Well, if you have been following Keep It Simple Now, you likely feel confident in Patricia’s approach to organization and simplifying one’s life.

It’s solid, it’s authentic and it’s results driven.

Patricia has been helping people for more than 15 years and is making her knowledge available to you!

You will have the opportunity to ask me your questions on Tuesday, May 6th @ 7:00 PM – ET.

She’s expecting to see questions on:

  • Change
  • Letting Go
  • De-Cluttering
  • Manifestation
  • Spirituality

Come Prepared!  Really think about what you want to ask Patricia!  Talk To You Soon!

Register Here

You can begin posting your questions here now.

Simplicity Is A Sign Of Growth

/in , , , , /by

“Going Back To A Simpler Life Is Not A Step Backward” – Yvon Chouinard said that and he was right.

Simplicity Is A Sign Of Growth
It’s important to understand that “letting go” is part of the process of going back to a simpler life.  It is not in any way a reflection of you failing to achieve or hold onto “something.”  That’s not what we are talking about here.

It takes courage to simplify one’s life.  Did you hear that?  It takes courage to simplify one’s life.  Real courage to “let go” and be free of the things you may have considered important or special at one time.

Recognizing that your “things” may no longer be serving you (and can actually be holding you back from living life to the fullest) is a true sign of personal growth.  There’s a lot to be said about a person who can relinquish the old and welcome the new; even if they aren’t sure what that may look like.

I see way too often people who struggle with the notion that “letting go” is somehow a sign of weakness or giving up.  This can be to their detriment as it propels them into a perpetual state of fear because they simply cannot bear the thought they may be “losing.”  But you see there is no loss with simplicity. Simplicity offers freedom of all that was but no longer is.  So how can one lose when one becomes free?  You simply cannot.

The process of purging one’s life is powerful.  A process fully embellished with tender moments of self-discovery.  An internal treasure hunt if you please.

Tell me, what’s more beautiful than that?

The Process of Simplifying Your Life – Tuesday’s Tel-Class – September 11, 2012

/in , , /by

Hey There,

It’s so great to be back in touch with everyone.  I’ve missed you!

Thank you for your inquires on “Where did my Tuesday’s Tel-Class” go?

No worries, I am still here.  The truth is I have been quite busy over here at Keep It Simple Now.

You see, I became very curious to learn on a much deeper level what it would take for a person to really “let go” in order to live a more simplistic lifestyle.

Because after all, what does it really mean to “let go?”


Are we letting go of:

  • Our “things” that we consider to be worldly possessions?
  • A relationship that no longer serves us?
  • A career that doesn’t fulfill us?
  • Thought processes that hold us bound to our past?

As I delved into what this may mean, I found that “letting go” translates into something different for each of us, simply because we are all unique and special with our life stories.

But, what really intrigued me after I understood this was the “how” process of letting go.

How do I help my clients begin the journey and support them through the transition of living a simpler lifestyle they desire so much?

Because even though we may desire this lifestyle, taking the action steps to create it is quite a different story.

Fear sometimes pops up creating doubt in our minds which can cause us to question everything we initially believed in.  All normal and understandable.

So I decided the best way I could really impact my clients and give them the best advice I know is to actually do it myself.

And that’s exactly what I have been doing.  I started my own process of “letting go” and mapping out a step-by-step action plan on how to “Simplify Your Life.”

If this intrigues you and you find yourself as curious as  I was, then please consider taking this tel-class.

I am going to share with you a wealth of information that will hopefully propel you on your own journey of simplicity.

I am limiting this class to the first 25 attendees and I expect it to be quite popular.

I wouldn’t want you to miss out – so it’s best to register early.  Don’t delay and just sign up now.

REGISTER HERE

I am looking forward to this class and touching base with all of you again.

It’s a very exciting time here at Keep It Simple Now and I can’t wait to share it with YOU!

Remember, if you cannot attend “live” that is okay.  Just register and you will receive the download link for your listening pleasure.

Thank you for your participation – we shall be chatting soon!

Always my best,

Patricia