{"id":1227,"date":"2017-03-17T06:50:51","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T10:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=1227"},"modified":"2017-03-17T02:04:23","modified_gmt":"2017-03-17T06:04:23","slug":"week-131-out-with-the-old-what-are-you-holding-on-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=1227","title":{"rendered":"Week #131 – Out with the old! (What are you holding on to?)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Week\u00a0#131 – Out with the old! \u00a0(What are you holding on to?)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greetings,\u00a0All — and Happy Friday!<\/p>\n

While some of you may still be buried in snow, Spring is right around the corner…literally! \u00a0The Vernal Equinox will occur this Monday at 6:28 a.m. ET!<\/p>\n

Like most people, I’ve been getting a head start on my Spring Cleaning. \u00a0Well, it’s really more of an ongoing project. \u00a0As many of you know, I hold on to things. \u00a0Which means “decluttering” is a routine item on my to-do list.<\/p>\n

Since I do have trouble parting with things, I try to make a game out of it. \u00a0I gather like items\u00a0together (Konmari Method) so that I can “see” what I really have. \u00a0I count items as I toss them (Clutter Free Method). \u00a0I set timers (I can FLY!). \u00a0I even made a game out of my cross-country move last year, calling it “The Year of the Purge” and swearing that by this time, next year, I’d\u00a0be “move-out ready” — surrounded only by things I want, need, and love.<\/p>\n

Well, I’m definitely “move-out ready” — because a lot of my stuff is still unpacked!<\/p>\n

And in a way, that’s a good thing — because while I do enjoy a good cleaning and decluttering session, I’ve been trying to enjoy my life also. \u00a0There’s been a lot of new things to see, do, and experience. \u00a0And I want to make sure I don’t\u00a0miss it!<\/p>\n

And so, I am reminded of a post I wrote in April 2015 (Week #27)<\/a> — I recalled\u00a0a phrase that Rob used to say to me: “Let the balloon go, Grace.” \u00a0He was talking about worry (and sometimes needling me about my stuff) — but it has taken on a new meaning now as I look around at the things I’ve held on to, and the time (either now or later) that it\u00a0will take\u00a0to “do something” about it. \u00a0Even if that means ultimately just throwing it away.<\/p>\n

Do you have things that you are holding on to that might be holding you back?<\/strong> \u00a0Is it emotional clutter\u00a0— like\u00a0anger, resentment, grief, loss, a mistake, a regret, a secret, or simply a missed opportunity you are punishing yourself over? \u00a0Or maybe it’s physical things that are standing in your way? \u00a0Or a toxic relationship that is stealing your joy? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: OUT WITH THE OLD!<\/strong>\u00a0What better time than the first days of Spring to open up space for new possibilities?! \u00a0This weekend — find a release ritual to help you “let those balloons go” and open your hands to what’s possible. \u00a0Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n

(But whatever you do PLEASE DO NOT release real balloons into the air…they\u00a0are only a metaphor! \u00a0And otherwise very bad for the environment!)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n