It’s that time again! Yes, you guessed right, it’s time for spring cleaning! This year spring cleaning is hitting different because I’m not only releasing clothes that no longer fit, but I’m taking it to the next level and releasing everything that is no longer serving me. I am realizing that the further I walk in my purpose, the more I need to be intentional about what I let into my mind, body, and spirit! That begins with the thoughts that I think all the way to the energies that I have around me, whether it be things or people.

Here are 5 Things That I’m Releasing

Junk

Beyond the clothes that no longer fit, I am releasing items that I’ve had for years, you know? Those items that will come in handy someday or its just so sentimental to me. You wouldn’t believe some of the things I still have, like a few honor roll medals from middle school and some of my favorite papers from undergrad! Insane, right? But there’s no judgement because each year I’m getting better and better, but today this stops here! As I am writing this, I’m thinking about why I’ve kept these items for so long and perhaps, I have been holding on to the material and external items that told me that I was successful, but, over time I have become to know that just by waking up and breathing I am a success.

Scarcity Mindsets

So what exactly is a scarcity mindset? Scarcity mindsets are when one is so focused on what one lacks. Scarcity mindsets are easily adopted as we go through the journey of life, based on our life experiences, messages from society, irrational thoughts, our environments, and more! Ultimately, this type of mindset can keep us stuck! Over the course of my journey, I have done a lot of personal development (through reconnecting with my higher power, healing, meditation, affirmations, etc) to shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset, however, there are moments where this way of thinking, tries to sneak it’s way back in, however, the places that we’re going requires us to release lack to welcome more abundance.

Low Vibrational Music

Recently, I had several conversation about the impacts of music on our moods, our conscious and subconscious minds, our behavior, etc. I always knew these things to be true, however, I figured that I could control when I listened to certain types of music, but as I’m growing in the awareness of myself and my purpose, I am gaining a better understanding of the maintenance required to maintain peace and harmony in my life! Furthermore, these conversations made me consider revisiting my music library to ensure that I am listening to music that is not reinforcing the scarcity mindset, but instead energizing and filling my mind and my spirit with love, light, peace, and positive messages that make me feel good, inspire me, and raise my vibrations. Ultimately, my love for Hip Hop will never change, however, I plan on refreshing my music playlist.

Emotional Pain

Your feeling to the things that you have experienced in your life is valid. Releasing emotional pain is necessary. I can attest that releasing emotional pain has had a major impact on me becoming who I am today. Here are some major themes that were prevalent along my journey of releasing emotional pain: holding space for myself, my feelings, and emotions, validating my own feelings, forgiveness, acceptance, and asking for help. More specifically, I learned:

• Creating space to express our feelings is necessary! Holding space for your feelings can be as simple as sitting with yourself and allowing yourself to experience your feelings fully, without judgement, and letting them pass, journaling, or even seeking support from a professional.

• Validation is an inside job! Often, people might not meet the expectations of properly validating your feelings, therefore, you must learn to validate yourself and feelings and any other validation you receive is a plus.

• Forgiveness is key! Forgiveness is for you! Forgiveness is for you to make peace with the past. For you to unlock your blessings. For you to live fully in the present moment!

• Acceptance, like forgiveness, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Acceptance allows you to release things that you are not in control of, create peace, move forward, and live fully.

• We will all need help at some point in our lives and there are actually people out there that really want to support us, sometimes we dismiss help, people don’t know how to help ( so we need to communicate), and others may don’t have the capacity ( asking them in that moment probably isn’t the best idea)

Old Patterns

I’ve learn that throughout your growing, blossoming, and blooming, old patterns will resurface. This happens for a number of reasons, including comfortability with certain behaviors and being triggered which relates to not fully releasing emotional pain or clearing emotional blockages. Many would call this being tested and along my journey I have came across 3 ways that we can approach these test: (1) Avoiding, (2) Taking the test multiple times (3) Patiently, compassionately, and without judgement, taking the time to tune in with yourself to do the work. More often than not, I was in between the 1 and 2 range, but now, I’m a 3 (and practicing daily) because where I am in my life, the cost of my peace, self-love, alignment, my energy, my connection with my higher power, and my connection to my higher self is too much!

To end, one of the greatest things about the journey of life if that there is no wrong or right answer. Suppose we make a decision then that decision will either lead us to a lesson, pain, confusing, etc or joy, fulfillment, and deeper connection with your higher self. No matter the decision, know that you are always divinely guided and protected.

This week as you begin or continue your spring cleaning, I encourage you take some time to sit with yourself (and speak to your higher power) and consider what you need to release, what you need to get back into alignment, and consider the path you will take to get you there.

What are some things that you are releasing? Comment Below!