Let’s make some space!
These days it’s called “decluttering”; once upon a time, it was “spring cleaning”, but the idea remains the same: get rid of excess, organise your space and get ready to welcome in the new. Even though you can get stuck into this kind of detox therapy any time of year, spring seems to be the most fruitful season to “align with cosmic shifts” (at least, this side of the Equator!). But a “sort out” isn’t merely a practical task – it’s also a mental exercise. It’s not simply about chucking out the old and worn out, sorting socks by colour in drawers, or learning how to optimise fridge space. It’s more about reflecting on just how much “excess” clutters our lives, both physically and psychologically.
This decluttering applies not only to wardrobes, cupboards or homes in general, but also to our social relationships. At some point, we all have to evaluate which connections truly matter, the ones that radiate positive energy and help us grow as individuals, while we prune the rest!
This doesn’t mean burning bridges and risking a lonely life. It’s about gaining a new appreciation of the bonds that are worth the investment of time and energy. The subjects of this “clear out” might not even notice they’ve ended up on our “mental cutting room floor”, since it’s only our perception of their role in our lives (and therefore their standing in our friendship pecking order) that has changed. Those we once thought of as friends might get downgraded to mere acquaintances, while we can easily overlook other satellite associations in our lives without anyone’s existential balance taking a hit.
But it’s probably a good idea to start with physical clean-ups: giving ourselves time and space to dive into some introspection, to consider what’s genuinely important and uplifting for us (in terms of both objects and people), and to question why we make certain purchases and forge specific bonds. Maybe we’ll discover that the fleeting thrill of retail therapy is equally as valuable as a quick fling just to escape the feeling of loneliness… But in the end, what’s left staring back at us from those cluttered drawers (both physical and mental) is ourselves… And no one else is going to fold our socks for us. It’s time to start loving ourselves and taking care of our own spaces – both external and internal!
Marco
