It's springtime, and with it comes the energy of renewal and rebirth. The concept of spring-cleaning isn't a new one. It's an intuitive process, which has become a cultural norm for a reason.
As spiritual beings having a human experience, it's easy to become bogged down on the physical plane by our "stuff." I constantly work to be in harmony with the material world. To use and value the objects around me and to make them meaningful, everything of a material nature can have a spiritual significance if we value it as such.
One of the biggest toxic dumping grounds is our closet. We may be able to clean out a junk drawer or organize our fridge, but most of us have a closet filled with items that don't fully represent our current selves. I cannot tell you how many people I've worked with who do not wear half (or more) of the clothes they have in their closets!
Are you one of them? I invite you to ask yourself a few questions:
Do you have any clothes in your closet that don't fit?
Is there anything you haven't worn once in the past year?
Is there anything that's stained, ripped or damaged in your drawers or closet?
If you've answered yes to any of the above, it's likely time for a wardrobe detox.
A wardrobe detox is getting rid of what no longer serves you, so you have the space to welcome in new energy that meets you where you are, today. It's a spiritual process. What we wear and own reflects how we feel about ourselves on the inside.
Take a minute with that concept; even better take a peek into your closet.
It's not easy, but it's important. What does the state of your closet (and drawers, etc.) tell you about your relationship to yourself? Is it messy? Beautiful? Current? Does it reflect the way you take care of and value yourself?
When I looked into my closet I saw a lot of ways in which I am holding onto the past and not tending to my needs, so in other words, it's time to make some changes. I start my detox by coming up with an intention that will support what I am creating. For instance:
"I am easily letting go of all that no longer serves me and am welcoming all that does."
Then I create five areas designated to specific action steps:
1. Trash
Any items that have stains, are ripped or beyond repair.
Old dry cleaner hangers or unused shoeboxes.
2. Store
If it's not in season, it goes into the store pile.
Items with deep sentimental meaning and significance but no longer fit your lifestyle (like a wedding dress).
3. Trial separation
I keep a special section of my storage area as a 'maybe we'll get back together if we discover we love each other in a year from now.' This is for anything that I'm skeptical about letting go of but am no longer wearing. It's a great section for items that have some sentimental value but which you haven't actually worn at least once in the past year. Come back to it next year. If you discover you haven't missed it, get rid of it.
4. Donate/sell
Any items that don't fit you. Yes, this means those "skinny pants" that you've been waiting to fit in again for the past five years, too.
Anything you don't like the feel or look of the material.
All items you don't love, that don't make you feel great about yourself. Time to say bye-bye!
5. Tailor
Anything that doesn't fit or has holes or missing buttons goes in this pile and heads to the tailor within one week (or into the trash if it's beyond repair).
A wardrobe detox helps us to become mindful of what we have and why we have it. We have the power to create the life we truly want and our wardrobe can be a powerful representation of our intentions. What do you want to let go of this spring?
And just as importantly, what do you want to make room to allow?