Making room for the new can be healing and therapeutic.  When we rid ourselves of out-dated things, whether in our living space or our minds, we then create space for newness to come in.  In a way it’s a death and re-birth process.

Notice how when you create space in your home and get organized you feel calm and your mind doesn’t race as much.  I have found peace in simplifying my living space.  I only want to keep the things that I truly use.

Whenever I’m cleaning out items from my living space, I usually come across an item or two that I debate about getting rid of.  My two little mantras are, if you haven’t touched it in a year, get rid of it and out with the old and in with the new.  I also think about how someone else could be making great use of this item that I rarely or never use.  This really inpsires me to get rid of old things.

My friend owns a company called Gloveables and her tag line is, suddenly, cleaning has new meaning.  Cleaning really has new meaning when we think of cleaning out the cob-webs of our minds.  How are we to allow new thoughts and ideas to come if we are holding on to the old thoughts?

In Buddhism they talk a lot about non-attachment.  We are creatures of habit and it is easy for us to become attached to things and thoughts.  But, this attachment is an illusion.  When we can see this, a new sense of freedom is found.  Buddhists believe that attachment leads to suffering.  Most of us try to grasp or hold onto things and thoughts to have a sense of control in our lives.  Ultimately though, by trying to control, we end up losing control.

Take some deep breaths, muster up some courage to be honest with yourself and ask a few questions: 

 What am I holding on to?

  How does this item, thought or person serve me or not serve me?

 There is also a physical element when letting go.  We hear a lot about creating space inside the body by breathing deep.  When we create space the body is able to relax and release the tightness commonly felt from holding on.  Tension dissolves and we feel a sense of freedom in our bodies.  Take slow deep breaths when you are finding it is hard to let go, find the deeper meaning as to why you are holding on.  What fear lies there?