The summer is coming and it’s a great time to be thankful for all that’s in our lives, but to also to start the process of clearing out and only keeping what brings us joy. With that in mind I’ve decided to write todays blog about all the things we own and how we should only keep what brings us joy and let go of the rest with gratitude.

I’m no expert on Feung Shui but I did do it a little bit when I studied interior design and I’ve always had a keen interest in how your space can help (or hinder) your life. This is something I always try to achieve in my own home. I am always making sure to do regular clear outs and tidy things away so that the house has a feeling of calmness about it. I’m definitely not a fan of clutter but I’ve just recently finished reading the book – ‘The life Changing Magic of Tiding Up’ by Marie Kondo (http://tidyingup.com) and my tiding and sorting has been taken to another level!! Many of you may have already read this book as it was ‘THE’ book of last year apparently, (It was even mentioned in the Netflix ‘year in the life of the Gilmore girls’!) so you haven’t read it yet, I’d highly recommend it. It’s not so much about feung shui but how to really sort through everything that you own so that you are only left all the items that you love and then how to store and tidy them.

Doing this process can be quite powerful and you’d be surprised and how even the physical body can react. Letting stuff go can even give you a flatter stomach and a calmer mind! It can also give you the space to really think about the kind of life you want to be living. So much of the time we are all on auto pilot so it’s good to open our eyes and really see things for what they are. I’ve only begun the process myself as there is an order she suggests you work with (which for could take months to complete) but I love the way she describes how to really choose what you should keep and what should be donated or binned. In a nut shell, she suggests holding each item, that way you can tune into the energy of the object (really!) – be it an item of clothing, book, ornament etc. If you really love it and it brings you joy when you hold it, then you keep it. If on the other hand, it does not, then it’s time to let it go. You’d be amazed how many times we hold onto things because we think we have to because they were a gift and we feel guilt about not wanting them. But.. if you think about it a different way, and realise that the purpose of that object has already being fulfilled by the wonderful act of being gifted, then if you actually don’t to keep it, it’s ok.

What’s lovely in the book, is that Marie suggests that when you do let go or even bin something, that you let it go with gratitude, thanking the object in question before passing it on. It’s just a different way of looking at the whole process which really resonates with me. I could actually compare it to a yoga practice as during yoga we let go of what is not longer needed in our bodies and minds so that we can allow freedom and joy back inside. Also at the end of the practice we always finish with gratitude of some kind!

So i’d also like to end this by saying thank you! I am truly grateful for everyone who comes to my classes. I hope to see you all soon,

Namaste
Cathy

cathyaddis #yoga #workout #wellness #fitness