Weigh Anchor!

Sometimes, in order to take a journey, we have to let go of some things. Material possessions and weighty thoughts or feelings can act as ship anchors that refuse to let us go. They keep us in place even while a delightful breeze coaxes us to move on to better waters. That new destination calling to us doesn't always demand a literal, pack-up-and-move type of a journey. Often the path simply requires us to make little changes in our lives, such as building new relationships in order to develop a stronger community, or learning a new skill in order to better serve ourselves and others. However, even some of the smallest obstacles can prevent us from reaching those things or places for which we are purposed.

During this time of home sheltering, I have been confronted more and more with little hills and mountains of stuff all over my home. . . and all over my heart and mind. I've sometimes had the tendency to avoid actually taking those things on, kicking them to the side or burying them under couch cushions and deafening music. But lumpy sofas are not comfortable, and loud music makes my head hurt. And, the overwhelm of material stuff and emotional stuff and mental stuff can only be shaken off so many times before dizzying, achy fatigue sets in.

Just like piles of unwanted or unused items might clutter our homes, negative thoughts and feelings can also trip us up and hinder us from achieving our God-given purposes. Taking time to declutter possessions, thoughts and feelings is so important in obtaining the freedom needed to go on the journeys that we are meant to take.

As the boxes of "toss", "donate" and "sell" items accumulate in the spare room, the negative thoughts and feelings should be grabbed around their scrawny little necks and twisted up tight into the garbage bags headed for an inferno. Don't recycle them. And, please, do not donate them. Put them in their place and annihilate them. (Does that sound harsh? It is, but it is also very much called for. Negative, counterproductive, lying, damaging thoughts have no place in our lives - just like that pilled sweater with the hole in the elbow that hasn't fit in eleven years. It's ugly, it's itchy, it sheds, it takes up valuable space, it squeezes in all of the wrong places, and it must be tossed out.)

What else might be holding you back from the journey you are being called to take? (Let's set this whole home sheltering ordeal aside for a minute, and think about the bigger picture.) Has too much clutter prevented you from inviting people over for dinner in the past? Has a busy schedule overtaken your ability to have a date night with your spouse or significant other? Has a negative self-image discouraged you from pursuing a healthy relationship? (You are beautiful, by the way. Seriously. You are a walking miracle and worthy of love.)

It can be written about easily, but facing our struggles or clutter can be much more difficult in our everyday lives. But, you're not alone. Amidst your anchors or mountains, or whatever you want to call those bits and bobs of things hindering your journey, there are other people right along side of you. Everyone has their "stuff". But "stuff" is such a small word to let it block our paths or bind us to a place in which we are no longer meant to be (or were never meant to be in the first place). So, I believe that one of the first journeys to go on before any other, is the one of weighing those anchors by moving out the clutter from home, heart, mind and spirit (and even the physical body) to help give new energy, drive and the ability to go after what needs going after each day.

It is not a short journey. It is one that is ongoing.

That's okay.

Now, I've never seen anyone wield a mop and a broom simultaneously very effectively. If attempted, that little endeavor would surely result in muddy water all over the kitchen floor. In other words, clearing out the clutter doesn't have to be done all at once. Simply start by making a list of goals for yourself. This list will probably evolve over time. That's okay. (If you have a difficult time figuring out your purpose and the goals you should set, pray about it. Talking with a friend who knows you well might also help. You might even start by writing down healthy activities you enjoy and for which you have a talent. This exercise can naturally lead to goal setting. Example: You enjoy baking, and have a talent for it. Your goal might be to deliver some baked goods each week to elderly neighbors, or a family going through a difficult time. It might lead to you eventually opening up your own business. Perhaps you enjoy reading and have the patience and skill to work with students. You might offer your services as a reading tutor to families in your area.) Follow up your list of goals with a list of barriers you believe are preventing you from accomplishing those things. Then, begin establishing ways to overcome those barriers.

Your lists might get long and look overwhelming. It is certainly a possibility, but don't let that be another bullet that gets added to your "anchors list". Remember: One thing at a time. Pray for guidance and discipline each day as you decide one which task to work. Forgive yourself for little hiccups along the way, and keep moving forward. Find someone who is trustworthy and encouraging, who you can share your lists with and who will help keep you accountable.

Read Philippians 4:6-8; Matthew 4:18-22; Romans 8:5-6; Ephesians 2:10; Jeremiah 29:11

A Simple List of Little Steps to Help You Along the Way

1. Start your day off with prayer, scripture, meditation. (If you don't have a Bible app on your phone, I want to encourage you to download one today. Try different apps until you find one that suits you best. I use the YouVersion Bible App. which is free and includes daily scriptures, devotionals and much more.)

2. Find an accountability partner to help encourage you and keep you on track.

3. Keep your lists visible as a daily reminder of what you are working on and why you are on this journey.

4. Challenge negative thoughts with positive truths. (If you are struggling with this, you can ask your accountability partner to help.)

5. Make a positivity jar. (It's a bit hokey sounding, I know, but it's so good.) Jot down little notes of gratitude, accomplishments, happy memories, scriptures, encouraging things people have said to you, etc... and add them to the jar each day. During a rough time, reading a couple of these can help uplift your mood and give you the boost needed to finish out the day.

6. Place three boxes (one for tossing, one for donating, one for selling) in a easily accessible spot and drop things in as you go about your daily cleaning routine. Make decluttering convenient and it will be much easier to follow through. Decluttering items will give you more space and time for the things you enjoy.

7. Drink plenty of water and eat real, nourishing foods. (Check back in the future for some great, affordable meal and snack ideas.) You will accomplish more when you are properly fueled.

8. Turn electronic devices off a bit earlier and let your body wind down naturally. Get plenty of sleep so that your body has time to heal and prepare itself for taking on the next day.

9. Give yourself grace. You won't accomplish your entire list in one day. There might even be a day when you don't accomplish anything but polishing off that carton of ice cream and the latest season of whatever tv show you are obsessing over. It's okay. Seriously. It is okay. Start fresh and recommit the next morning.

10. Don't wait. There is no better time than now. Even amidst a busy schedule, you can say, "hello" to that neighbor, toss that old sweater in a get rid of box, or add an extra glass of water to your daily routine.

Chart your path, weigh anchor and... GO!

Have more ideas about how to declutter? I'd love to hear from you. Visit us on Facebook and join us on The Emri Road.