Before I came for our first session, one client shared that she had already prepared herself for what she saw as inevitable: that she would make a decision that she would later regret. She took comfort in embracing the Buddhist idea of considering the glass “already broken,” and therefore not being disappointed when pitfalls occur.
I knew immediately that this was a client who would make progress and greatly benefit from our services!
Consider this parable if you feel uncertain about getting rid of things in your life. 🙂
One day some people came to the master and asked, “how can you be happy in a world of such impermanence, where you cannot protect your loved ones from harm, illness and death?”
The master held up a glass and said, “someone gave me this glass, and I really like this glass. It holds my water admirably and it glistens in the sunlight. I touch it and it rings! One day the wind may blow it off the shelf, or my elbow may knock it from the table. I know this glass is already broken, so I enjoy it incredibly.”
Clients often share that they are hesitant to part with things because in the past they have discarded something and later regretted it. I have certainly donated items that I later realized I could have used in some way. First of all, know that this most definitely will happen at some point in your decluttering journey. But the option is to continue to live in a home that does not make you happy or meet the needs of you and your household. Anything worth doing involves some risk!
When you are committed to change and growth, you will always encounter learning opportunities to make different decisions based on past mistakes. You can be mindful of these situations as they arise and learn to try a different approach the next time. But if you allow analysis paralysis to keep you from making decisions, you will certainly NOT make progress.
Let’s say that I took 3 trash bags full of items to a worthy charity and then wished that I had kept one glass or pair of pants. Would that minor regret mean that my decluttering effort was not a success? Should it make me bound and determined to never get rid of anything again? I think not! Such limiting thoughts are a sure path to paralysis and stagnation.
I often encourage clients to ask themselves, “what is the worst thing that could happen if I let go of this?” Usually the consequences are far from dire!
Hold your decluttering efforts lightly – these are not life and death decisions, merely stepping stones on a path to freedom.
Discover more ways to mindfully organize your home or office here! >>
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