What Are You Holding Onto?

Well, friends, I've spent the last two weeks packing, moving, and unpacking. I could write an entire book on all the lessons I learned during this move and settling into a new home. But one big lesson that stuck out like a sore thumb was all the "stuff" I was holding onto. I realized all this stuff could often prevent us from moving forward in life.

I didn't want to leave my current home because of all the work we had put into it. The trails I had created in the woods and all the joy it brought me to see deer wandering in the backyard.

But what I realized is, our work there was done. We needed to move if we wanted to step into a new phase of our life, my husband expanding his business, and me having a dedicated space for all my books and retreats. 

If we don't move, we can't move forward. We'd only keep on, keeping on, doing what we've been doing. And sometimes that is not bad. But it doesn't work if you feel God calling you to take a step of faith, and then you aren't obedient. 

And guess what, I discovered I'll have access to trails here and I saw a doe and twin fawns my first morning in our new place. We'll never know that we might get something better, if we stay where we are. 

I also learned I hold onto material items. If you were to walk into my home, you wouldn't notice, but open any closet, and there you'd find piles of books, pictures, and journals. I had journals from a company I don't even work for. Why would I need them? Good question, I wouldn't. Into the garbage can they went.

Pictures in frames that had sat out in the garage for three years. Friends, if we have stuff in the garage/cabinet/closet that we haven't used in three years, it's time to find a new home. And I don't mean from the garage to a closet. I mean, gift it to a friend who needs frames (I write about this in The Giving Challenge), donate them to a resale shop, or toss them in the trash if they are broken.

You can insert frames for any other item in your house that is taking up space, cluttering your home, and mentally draining you. I've loaded up two trucks full of stuff and donated items. It feels so good to begin fresh in a home without the weight of old items that don't have any meaning.

Speaking of meaning, what about the items that have a memory or recognition tied to them? Snap a picture. I finally pitched all my awards and plaques from my last two jobs. All they do is collect dust and take up space. They match no d cor. And guess what? As soon as they hit the trash, I forgot about them. For years I've been hauling them around, well, not anymore. 

Walk around your home and see what is taking up space and holding you back from moving forward. Believe it or not, physical clutter creates mental clutter, and when we have mental clutter, we are less focused and motivated to move forward and work on what's essential in life. 

What will you toss today to help you move forward?

Blessings,

Stephanie L. Jones

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"