Everywhere I go lately, people are talking about "The Law of Attraction", a concept made widely popular by a the movie The Secret. All over the world, it seems, people are compiling lists of stuff that they want to attract. I do think it's a great idea. But if you ask me, I'd say that what we really need is a "Law of Subtraction".
Will Rogers once stated, "Too many people are spending money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't need, to impress people they don't like." This describes the consumer society we live in, though we have added a modern twist: people are online, trying to impress or add "friends" they don't even know.
Our lives are already cluttered enough, literally and figuratively. Our minds are full of new ideas and beliefs, our friend list keeps growing, our environment is saturated with things that we might need some day (but so far haven't) and, too much apparently not being enough, we keep adding to it. By treating our minds like storage units we never go through (but continue fill up with junk that we'll never use), we hold on to beliefs and people that do not support our growth and expansion, but only slow down our progress without increasing our level of satisfaction.
Most of us have mental hard drives that are chock full, and we could do just fine without many of the folders and programs that we have stored (x-files, worry, anger, grudges... etc). Most of these folders and programs are constantly running in the background, sapping our psychic RAM. And have you ever noticed that when too many programs are opened at the same time, your computer runs slower and runs the risk of crashing?
Last week, I took a look around my apartment and saw all the "stuff" that I had accumulated over time: unopened magazines, stacks of books that I keep adding to instead of reading, clothes, shoes and of course countless emails from total strangers that I save for future reading, or, unaccountably, plan to delete later. Our mental state is often a reflection of our environment (and vice versa). So as I was contemplating at all my "stuff", the resulting confusion and despair led to an overwhelming urge to do a very late spring cleaning.
I started going through the things that I had not used in a long time, ruthlessly assessing whether I truly needed to keep it, and if not, whether I should give it to someone or simply throw it away.
As I dove in, I was struck with the obvious: Anything I haven't read, answered or used by now I very likely never will, because there is an endless stream of new things that keeps coming.
I gave countless books to the library and boxes of clothes to Goodwill. I emptied drawers full of receipts, flyers, used tickets, and useless memorabilia. And I began to be liberated from the bounds of pointless possession. I didn't do it all in a day, but when I was done with my first good pass, I felt pounds lighter (without dieting). I just had everything that was essential. ( And of course some that wasn't but I wanted to keep it anyway).
I have discovered that by consciously closing some of those folders and by moving some into the trash can, we free up space we can use to make ourselves more present, creative and alive. I actually believe that "The Law of Attraction" comes into play as a result of clarifying our environment, mind and soul.
If this sounds like a daunting task, I recommend you work into it gradually. The point is not to replace the clutter you clear by stress and fear and the frustration of indecision (do I need this? I might need this. What if I throw it away and then I need it?). If that seems to be happening, stop, take and deep breath and come back to it later.
For those of you who like questionnaires, there is an interesting tool online that can help you with the process of de-cluttering your mind. It's called the " Clean Sweep Program" and it helps you assess how you are doing in various areas of your life. It can help you see whether you are letting the small stuff clutter your mental space and take up unnecessary room. You can take the test for free.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.