Two Questions to Ask about Your Life Clutter
—Grace & Truth Linkup
“It’s hard to remember that this day will never come again. That the time is now and the place is here and that there are no second chances at a single moment.”
– Jeanette Winterson
The Crush of Daily Clutter
It’s Monday morning and I’m cleaning house again. I grab the feather duster from the hall closet and lightly brush the surfaces in each room. When I get to the office, I dust off the same frames that I dust every few weeks.
But this time, I stop. I look. The photos in the frames are of times I enjoyed in my past. They shaped who I am now. But I’m not that person any more. And those experiences aren’t ones I would choose again.
I’m interrupted by a text notification. It’s a group message from an organization I volunteer with. They’re looking for someone to lead on an upcoming project for the summer.
It’s not something I want in my future.
I feel clutter crushing in.
Two Questions to Ask Yourself
We’re daily faced with clutter from our past and opportunities to clutter our future. It’s stifling.
THE PAST: It’s difficult to let go of things we already own. But a question I’ve read to ask ourselves is this one.
1. If I didn’t own this already or already committed to it, would I buy it or agree to it now?
When I look at the photo frames, I know the answer. I would not buy these if I saw them in a shop. So why am I keeping them now? I pull out the photos and put the frames in the donate pile.
THE FUTURE: We don’t want to turn down opportunities that we might want for later. But we can’t say yes to everything. So here’s one question to ask about the future.
2. If this opportunity were tomorrow instead of a month or a year from now, would I take it?
I think about the summer volunteer opportunity. I know I would not want to tackle it tomorrow. It’s easier to say no now than to regret saying yes the rest of the summer.
Make the Most of Today
Clearing the clutter of life isn’t usually as easy as getting rid of old photo frames or turning down uninteresting work. It’s often hard when the decisions are about things that really matter. Deciding what to hold on to and what to release can be excruciating.
But realizing we have a only finite amount of time in this world with only a finite number of people, we can gain a clearer perspective to make healthier choices.
Clinging too tightly to the past or dreaming too wildly about the future doesn’t serve us in the present. And the present is where we live. This. Here. Now.
Let’s make the most of today.
Does your life feel cluttered right now or does it feel spacious? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Grace & Truth Featured Post
Navigating a foggy season can be tough and exhausting. But Lois gives us encouragement to keep taking one step at a time, doing the next right thing.
Read all of Lois’s post here at her blog, then link up your own blog posts below.
“What to Remember When the Future Is Foggy”
Review the rules here about adding your most recent Christian Living posts and how to be the Featured Post. Visit all four hosts social media here or websites here: Maree Dee, Lisa notes, Lauren Sparks, Tammy Kennington.
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- When Life Is Out of Control, What Fills in the Gaps?
Lisa, thank you for your vulnerable post today. I am also like you with both the past and future “clutter”. I have recently been working on clearing this clutter out. I don’t use the same questions, but I am stepping into that brave place of confronting myself and clearing that clutter.
I started noticing how past clutter affected my emotions, and especially triggers, moving me into a defeated, deflated state of mind.
I’m learning it’s OK to let go, in fact it’s life-giving.
This is truly great advice, Lisa!
So good, Lisa! I’m all about clearing out clutter – both physical, and mind-sets.
Poignant questions Lisa! I’ve had to learn this since Chronic health conditions set up camp.
These are not easy lessons to learn but once learnt there is much freedom in being able to see God’s work in our life & the lives around us.
blessings, Jennifer
These are two good questions and very good advise.
I am in the process of packing to move. I really need to work hard on eliminating items into the give away or throw away bins. Even things to keep I have to decide – can I take a picture, make a quilt or art to preserve for my children or grandchildren? Will my children want this? Do I know someone who would really like this?
And that is a good thought about doing it tomorrow instead of committing down the road – when I might not have time or be so inclined.
And at both questions I need to ask God’s guidance before, not after!
Thanks.
Good afternoon, Lisa. I’m behind on everything, including blog comments. 🙂 But I did want to say thanks for sharing my fog post. I’m glad it was encouraging for you. Your two questions are really good … I need to come up with a version of the first one to help me pare down my out-of-control email inbox and other folders. (Any suggestions?)
What wonderful advice, Lisa, and what useful questions to ask ourselves! I am dealing with quite a lot of clutter due to our renovations. It is a great opportunity for me to clear some of the clutter and your questions will really help.
Thank you so much for sharing this post with Hearth and Soul. I will be featuring it at the July Edition of the party which goes live on Sunday 2nd July. Hope to see you there!