By Chelsea Ross
As September tiptoes in with its subtle shifts in weather and mood, I’ve found myself on a mission: a full-fledged decluttering adventure. Over the years, I’ve done little tidy-ups, but this time I wanted to dive into something deeper, a clear-out that felt truly transformative. And as I discovered, it isn’t just about the changing seasons outside; it is about recognizing the new seasons within ourselves.
Going through my wardrobe, I realized I had been holding onto so many pieces from past versions of myself. I had clothes in two different sizes (since my weight tends to fluctuate) and outfits for occasions that had either come and gone or never arrived at all. Letting go of those clothes was like shedding an old skin, creating room for the woman I am today.
I’ve always believed that the smallest shifts in perspective can lead to the greatest joys. Simply keeping what I genuinely wear and love, about one-quarter of my wardrobe and moving everything else into another room felt like releasing stored energy. There is something quietly powerful in acknowledging, “This belonged to another chapter of my life.”
If you find yourself caught in the same paralysis, here are a few guiding steps:
Recognize the Season You Are In
Just as we move from summer to autumn, our lives also shift through their own seasons. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, a lifestyle or career change, or a new beginning after a relationship ends, decluttering can be a way to honor the present moment.
Create a Holding Space
Rather than forcing immediate decisions, place the uncertain items elsewhere for a time. This pause allows you to see whether they still hold any real place in your life. You can choose a time frame in which to revisit those items. I gave myself six months to see if I actually missed them or could wear them again, rather than hanging onto things indefinitely.
Release the Fantasy Self
Many of us keep aspirational pieces for an imagined future. It is freeing to admit when they no longer serve us and to let them go, making space for the life and body we are actually living in.
Allow the Feelings
Sorting through belongings can stir nostalgia, and that is natural. Yet with each item released, you lighten the load and step more fully into the present.
In the end, this process has been more than tidying up; it has been a quiet ritual of self-recognition and self-acceptance, a powerful foundation for self-love. As the seasons turn, I invite you to consider your own spaces and see what might be waiting to be set aside, so that new life can unfold more freely around you.
Ready to create space for who you are today?
Join our retreats where the art of release becomes a sacred practice. Clearing what no longer serves you, opening room for renewal, and inviting your spirit back into alignment.
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