After leading a personal transformation retreat. I was contacted by a group to lead them on something like a vision quest. When I talked to them. I decided what they really needed was to clean out their closet.

With the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we can often find ourselves yearning for a quieter, simpler way of living.  If your life has come to resemble an endless race to the finish line, take a look at the suggestions below to bring a greater sense of calm and simplicity back into your life.

Here are three steps I took them through.

1 - Less is more.  

It ís amazing how much stuff  we can accumulate in our homes because we think they will contribute to our lives.  It ís true that we gain enjoyment from material possessions, but the more we accumulate the more burdened we often feel.  Eventually we find ourselves living under a constant cloud of confusion, scattered thoughts and stress.

So, what did I do with the group to get them to clean out their closet? 

I asked them to go to their closet and pick the piece of clothing that they had been hanging there for years. I asked them to pick the one that was hidden way in the back that held some kind of memory. The shirt that was way to small or whatever it was.

When they met with me they recalled the memories that each piece of clothing held for them. As they told me what it was I asked “are ready to let that part of you go?”  Some were and some were not. 

Some of them wanted to hang on to a memory. They wanted to go back to it but knew that was not going to happen. Some of them knew that the time of their life was gone and now it was time for the next stage.Some were just not ready to let go.

What is it for you?

Begin immediately to clear out the material possessions you no longer need or want, and donate them to a local charitable organization.  This will accomplish two things:  first, you will feel lighter and less cramped in your home; and you will also feel good about giving these items to people who can actually use them.

2 - Next is to clean out some of your activities.  

An active life is good for you, but not if it leaves you feeling stressed and fatigued!  Most of us take on much more than necessary as far as obligations and even recreational activities are concerned.

Take a few minutes to think about the things you do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.  Do you really need to do all of them?  Have you taken on responsibilities that really aren’t yours?  Are you spending time on activities you no longer enjoy?  Make a list of at least a few activities or obligations that you can eliminate, and then go ahead and do so even if you have to do this gradually.

3 - Spend time with yourself in silence.  

One of the men I was working with had so many voices in his head...he could not listen to his voice of inner wisdom.  We went outside and I had him sit on the ground next to a tree...to get grounded. I read that on average we spend less than 15 minutes a day with ourselves. It is no wonder this man could not hear his voice...he did not know how.

Sitting in silence for just a few minutes can drastically reduce your stress levels and leave you feeling calm, centered and happy.

If you live near a park or natural setting, you can even boost the effectiveness of this activity by spending time in nature.  While not completely silent, natural settings have soothing sounds like running water, singing birds and wind coming through the trees which automatically trigger feelings of peace and well-being.

When it comes right down to it, cleaning out your closet is about learning how to slow down and connect more deeply with your inner self.  Whether you do that by simplifying your surroundings, calming your schedule or enjoying a quiet respite each day, the result is a happier and more peaceful you!

Be the Difference!

Rich