Clothes-ter-phobic?
Dear Reader, this is part II of a multi-part series on the principles of decluttering and Feng Shui and their effects on your personal life. This is part 1 of some. Be sure to complete the “challenges” given to you in each article and win prizes and a better life! Simply post a comment at the end of the article, letting me know you have completed the challenge and any experience you had or effect you noticed. Those who do this for all articles, will automatically win one of my supercharged bath salts (read more about these at https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXKEHsQGKKfuZGdncWQ5emRfMTNjZnNxdGRkOA&hl=en)! Additionally, you will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a free healing session! So, please join me in the clearing and cleaning out of clutter and clothing! Happy Cleaning!
We hold on to our clothes for so a myriad of reasons–for many, they are our security blanket. For others, an expression of who they are and what they’ve been through. For some, especially in NYC, they serve as confirmation that we actually own something. Now, I am the guiltiest culprit of the following, but rest assured, I am doing this challenge with y’all! I, Natalie Berthold, am a clothes hoarder..but I know I am not the only one! Whenever my family makes fun of me for having so many clothes, I remind them that I have been nomadic and a starving artist (healing artist) living in NYC. I don’t own squat, like my counterpart peers who I grew up with in Indiana. They own houses, cars, babies, beds, pans, husbands, vacuums…all sorts of stuff. Even the furniture I own, I dragged in from the streets of Manhattan! I don’t possess anything except for clothes! However, having so many clothes may actually keep us from bringing in more abundance! The truth is, it clogs the pipes up, both energetically, and otherwise (even in the intestines, causing constipation! Yikes!). I challenge you again, to clean out the crappy and make room for the happy!
Challenge 1: Get rid of one trash bag of clothes that don’t fit you RIGHT NOW
I have clothes that span 10 sizes. In all honesty, that is dangerous because you are manifesting yo-yo weight that fluctuates and goes up and down. The truth is, I really wouldn’t be happy in the tiny sizes. I couldn’t enjoy any goodies and would make a pain-in-the-ass dinner date, and a lousy slumber party accompanist. “I’ll pass on the pasta and scrumptious cupcakes. Do you have lettuce instead?”. No thanks!
And with the larger sizes..am I really anticipating being bigger again? Just being prepared for the “what if” I become a fat-ass again? Hell no, out you go! Did you hear that universe? Take my big clothes and shove them up Uranus!
There are tons of donation centers where you can drop off your clothing, shoes, and accessories (be sure to pick up a tax write-off sheet). Additionally, if you have lots of time and patience (anybody?), you could post the cool stuff on eBay and monopolize on what the Internet does to make people operate with quick, irrational, and spontaneous decision making.
Those garments served a time and purpose, but that time and purpose is over. You no longer need to coddle your overly skinny or chubby days and nurture them by providing a home for them.
Accompanying Mantra (as you rid them): I am perfect exactly as I am. I only make room for that which fits beautifully into my life.
Challenge 2: Get rid of one trash bag of the “what-if-wastoids”
We also tend to hold onto clothes for “what-if” moments…”What if I need these disgusting pants to paint a fence someday?” “What if this holey shirt (with holes, not blessed by Jesus) will come in handy if I want to dress like Swiss cheese? “What if this bubble-gum-waste-of-space-prom dress is useful if somebody invites me to one of those cool 80’s theme parties?” “What if I feel like taking a dump in my pants? These old yucky ones will be perfect for that occasion!”
People, it is good to be prepared, as the boy-scouts and girl-scouts taught us, but this is ridiculous! It is time to get rid of the clothes we save for bizarre hypothetical situations!
Accompanying Mantra: I am prepared for what life brings me. I live in faith, and nothing is insurmountable.
Challenge 3: Get rid of one trash bag of “nostalgic no-no’s”
Another common practice is being sentimentally attached to our clothing! I held on to a nasty-ass, full-denim J-lo esque body suite for years, just because I bought it in Spain and it reminded me of the good old “ump ump ump” highlighter clubbing days! In fact, I’ve held on to so much clothing simply because it reminded me of a special moment or era of my life…never mind that the item is extremely unappealing and outdated. It’s best to let the memories live in your head, not your closet. Holding on to too much of the “glory days” keeps you stuck in the past, unaware and ungrateful of the present. This is therefore creating a future where you will NEVER be ________ enough (thin, young, smart, beautiful, rich, witty, etc) and will always be viewing your “hay-days: and “peak” as over. What a grim way to view life!
Mantra: I live in the NOW. Beautiful memories are alive and well, and more wonderful occurrences continue to happen every day
Alright team, you might be overwhelmed, but trust me, the benefits will be worth it! We are practicing non-attachment, and we are doing this TOGETHER. To aid in the transition, might I suggest meditating with a Sphere Shaped Crystal, which is representative of the Universe and everything contained in it. Spheres symbolize the “whole” person, which includes consciousness, mobility, non attachment and a powerful mind. Additionally, Holy Basil is an excellent oil to inhale, or rub on your heart or feet for help with non-attachment. Remember, your clothes are like one of those couch surfers just taking up precious space for free…kick ’em out! This potential energy is free-loading off of you! Enough is enough!
We are rooting for you! Heal, baby Heal!
