“Dream big and dare to fail.” – Norman Vaughan

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

This is the time of the year, where I most want to clean. I think it’s because we are inside so much of the time to avoid the cold. But it seems like the piles are getting bigger, the dust is all around, and all I want in the world is to be a minimalist. (I don’t actually want to be a minimalist; it just sounds really nice!) I think about how I can declutter, clean up, and leave things feeling fresh and open. For me, this often means I am taking some things to donate and remembering to use the things I like the most. Throwing out trash or repurposing things that need a new life. It is a chance to invite in the New Year and all that I want out of this year!

Not only is decluttering such a nice reset for our homes, our spaces, and our calendars, it can also be so helpful for our spiritual lives. Sometimes we just need to reset. Look at our habits, observe what’s working and what isn’t, and make space for what we need now. I like to do some decluttering in my spiritual life once or twice a year. So I wanted to share with you my process, some ideas and resources. I hope that this blog is so helpful for you! 

WHY DO WE DECLUTTER OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE?

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”  – A. A. Milne

I have read several blogs lately about planning and setting up for your new year. I am a sucker for a good “fix your life this new year!” blog. Give me all the tips, all the ideas and share with me what has worked for you. I am here for it! I collect all these little pieces, read over them and look for all the bits that will work best for me. A few years ago, I came across this idea of a good Soul Decluttering. It was in posts from Sally Clarkson and Emily P. Freeman specifically, but then I started seeing others talk about it as well. I must admit that I was curious! What would this look like? What did it mean?

To start with, decluttering means to simplify, to get rid of, to clear space. Have you ever had any of those moments where your spirit, mind, soul feel overwhelmed and burdened down with life? I know I have. So, we must declutter to make space for the new and good. My main goal when I do a deep declutter for my spiritual life, is that I need to feel refreshed. I want to remember why I focus on my faith and reimagine what it could look like. I want to reask God where He would have me focus on and how He would lead me. 

You might be in need of a spiritual or soul decluttering if…

• You feel frustrated more often than usual.

• You are struggling to pray or read your Bible. 

• You are burdened with past disappointments or hurts.

• You find yourself doomscrolling.

• You are finding it harder to be joyful. 

• Things that used to help you feel close to God are leaving you feeling drained.

• Or even, just if you feel like you need one!

*Side note: A spiritual decluttering is not a replacement for therapy or professional help! If you find that you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or your mental health in anyway, I highly advise finding a good counselor or therapist. Check out Psychology Today to find a therapist near you. 

THE PROCESS

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”  – Nelson Mandela

I have found that the best way to create a practice or habit that works for me is to test out what works for others and then adjust it for myself. I do this several times until I create a process. I have done this for my Weekly Check-Ins, my Birthday planning day, my morning and evening routines. So, I will share with you my process for Spiritual Decluttering and then I suggest that you only take the pieces that work for you and even add in your own ideas. At the end of the day, this should be a practice or rhythm that will most help you. Are you ready? Let’s go! 

• Set aside a day, or even a few hours. Mark it on your calendar and make sure that you have plans to keep it! (So, get some help with your kids, or plan it during times where you aren’t needed at work or with your family and friends.)

• Head somewhere where you can feel at peace. Maybe your favorite coffee shop, a chair at home, or even a botanic garden, beach, park or special space for you. Set yourself up well! 

• Start by clearing out the bad! Journal and pray through any hurts, guilts, problems, worries, or fears that are weighing you down. Ask God to help sort through them, to show you truth and to help you remember His forgiveness and love. 

• Pray and reflect over anything that is hindering your relationship with God. This could be things like bitterness, anxiety, not enough time, something else that you are spending your time on, or even something simple like not knowing where to start or what to do.

• Now that you have cleared everything out, it’s time to start organizing and setting up well! 

• Think and dream about your goals and ideals for your faith and spiritual life. Are you desiring a different type of Bible study? Are you looking for more time journaling? Do you want to refresh your prayer life?

• Ask God where He is leading you and how He would have you move forward.

• Next, make your plans. Be yourself! Don’t let yourself be burdened with comparison. Instead, focus on schedules, habits, and rhythms that work best for you. Just make sure you put these plans into your calendar and create time and space for it all!

• Pray and end by seeking encouragement and support from God. 

What things would you add to this process?

“Joy is the infallible proof of the presence of God.”—Madeleine L’engle

QUESTIONS AND REFLECTIONS 

If you want to add to your time of reflection, here are a few questions to journal through! 

1. Have I tried a spiritual/soul decluttering in the past? What was that process like?

2. Why do you want to do one now? 

3. What steps or practices do I want to try?

4. How can I implement this practice into my life?

5. What’s one thing from this blog that I want to use or put into action? 

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.