How to Cleanse your Space

#springcleansing | This weekend I’ve worked on cleansing. Cleansing both physically and emotionally. Digging deep, into the parts that sometimes hurt. Bringing everything to the surface. Going through it all with gratitude. Getting rid the things that no longer spark joy. And making so much room for the new stuff to grow. 

Mentally and physically this process is draining, but boy the rewards are worth it. The lightness I now feel not only physically, but mentally is so freeing. Letting go hurts, but clearing space is necessary for growth. So here’s to a sincere goodbye to a closet full of fallen hopes, and a warm welcome to a room full of dreams that will soon come true. 

Before

After

Special s/o to @mariekondo & @feleciapokallus for instilling in me the tools and confidence to take on a project like this over a weekend. Hopefully I can pass along some of those skills to you. Below you can find my guide to #springcleansing in an easy and productive way. 

1. Accept the Process

Truly cleansing space is not simply making a “keep” and “giveaway” pile, it’s about understanding where you are in your life, where you want to be, and how your space is reflecting that. 

For me my room was overrun with unused space of a past endeavor, Lala Letter. While I love that business and that time of my life to pieces, it no longer takes up space in my mind—so why should it take up space in my room. I wanted my space to not just reflect where I am currently, but where I want to be. 

The process of cleansing, when done correctly, always gets ugly before it gets pretty. Be ready to have moments that overwhelm you. Be ready to have your room look like a tornado hit it. Be ready for a lot to come to the surface, both physically and mentally. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you get started so you have a clear understanding of what you want from the cleansing process:

a. Where am I right now in my life? Where do I want to be/what am I manifesting?

b. Does my space reflect where I want to be? If not what could reasonable be changed or cleansed away?

c. Am I actually prepared for everything to come to the surface (both physically & mentally)? 

d. Are you willing to complete this process without passing judgement on yourself? This is about cleansing and moving forward, not dwelling on how you got in the place to begin with. 

e. Do you have a clear vision of what you want the space to look like? If not, go on Pinterest and start pinning what the dream space will look like. 

f. Do you have the time to commit to completing the cleansing process all the way through? Make sure you’re realistic with how much work it will be and if you have the time and energy to devote to it. 

2. Confront & Destruct

It’s time to get all the gunk out. Tear into that closet, open that drawer, take all the books off the shelf—it’s time to get it all out and in a single pile in the middle of the room. Just like Marie Kondo suggests, I find this process is the best way to truly see what you’re working with. 

Make three piles: 1) Keep 2) Give Away 3) Throw Away. Go through every single item, decide where it belongs. Here are the guidelines I use to make my decision:

Keep

• This item sparks joy

• This item is necessary for me to function

• I use this item frequently, it serves multiple purposes, and it is one of my favorites.

• This item has such sentimental value that it is important I bring it with me through the rest of my life (this category should not exceed the size of a shoebox).

Give (from easiest to most difficult)

• This item is not necessary for my life anymore

• I rarely use this item

• I have multiple other items that serve this same purpose.

• This item once was important to me, but no longer is. I will not keep it based on old feelings. 

• I don’t want to give this away, but I must to make space for the new part of my life I am manifesting

• This item reflects an outdated time in my life that I no longer identify with.

• My highest self does not need this item. 

• I am okay with letting go of this thing, even though it hurts because it is sentimental. I have a photo of it on my phone, and I will keep a small shoe box of the most sentimental things and this is not one of them. 

I’m pretty strict on my keep and give because otherwise I would sit with one item for so long. I challenge you to be quick to make each decision, it makes the process easier, even though it might be upsetting at first. 

This part of the cleanse is most definitely the hardest and most overwhelming. I find it easiest to have someone to talk to for accountability. Maybe a parent you can call, a roommate, or sibling. Call them or tell them what you’re planning on doing, “Hey Mom, today I am cleaning out my closet to move my desk in my closet to make more room for yoga in my room.” Then tell them what you’re nervous about and how they can be there for you as a accountability partner, “I may call you a few times when I feel overwhelmed and need some encouragement, is that okay?” And then thank them, “thank you for helping me through this process.”

3. Practice Gratitude

With every item you go through, thank that item and be grateful for the purpose it served in your life at one point. Even if you choose to keep the item, even more reason to be grateful—you are privileged and thankful to get to enjoy that item going forward.

Be as non-judgmental as possible. View each item as if it’s a thought arising in your mind during meditation. Observe it, sit with it for a second, then let it go with gratitude. Think of the abundance we have to even have the opportunity to go through our stuff, many people have less than what we choose to give away. I am so thankful for all that I have and value every item I choose to keep.

4. Re-organize

Now is the time to go through what you’ve kept and figure out where it fits in your new life. This is my favorite part for sure. I love to get creative, re-group items, think of new uses for old items, and creating a new space for my body and mind to rest in. 

Make sure to allow for new open space as you’re reorganizing, just because there is an open drawer doesn’t mean you need to fill it. Sit with the openness for awhile, let the space breathe, if you will. Cleansing always makes us feel the need to go shop since we’ve done so well giving things up, but I dare you not to. 

The space you’ve created will become your new normal if you let it. Not suggesting you to live a truly minimalist life, but instead a space with more room for the things you value most. Give them the space they deserve, and then as time goes on, the empty spaces will tell you what they need. My suggestion—plants. 

5. Complete & Reflect

Finish. This is so important, because it’s so easy to be “almost done” and just stop with “one more box to go through” or “I’ll get to that next time.” Don’t let this temptation in—finish it all the way through to the space you envisioned at the beginning. If that means you need to mop under your bed (like it did for me), then do it. If it means replacing lightbulbs that you keep forgetting get… add them to your cart! See it through to the end. Finishing touches, don’t count—I’m talking about the main bulk. 

Get it done and then admire all that you have done. Admire the space you’ve created. Bask in the feeling of a true cleanse.

What came to the surface for you? How much were you able to let go of? How much lighter do you feel physically and mentally? What are you most excited about for your new space? 

Congratulations on completing this cleanse. I hope your new space sparks as much joy as mine does! Now I want to know what you’re #springcleansing this season? Since were home with some time on our hands, how can you cleanse either physically emotionally or both? Let me know in the comments; can’t wait to see the space you make!

Xoxo, bella