As the seasons transition, autumn is always a classic time to “let it go.” As the leaves start to change color and drop their leaves and prepare for winter, we are well served by following Mother Nature’s lead and shedding what no longer serves us. Now is a good time to evaluate what’s working in your life and business and what could use some good house cleaning to create space and breathing room. Here are four questions to support your process.
1. What’s the problem?
We’re over-everything.
- Overextended with too many commitments.
- Overwhelmed by responsibilities.
- Overburdened with too much stuff.
- Overstimulated by incessant sensory input.
- Overcritical of ourselves and our loved ones.
Because we are bursting at the seams in every aspect of our lives, we don’t have the necessary “white space” that give us permission to breathe, to think, to process. When we can actively “let go”, it creates room for both the inhale and the exhale. Don’t you feel better when you can take a deep breath? (or three?)
2. What’s the solution?
- Let that stuff go.
- Evaluate the excess, figure out what needs to change and do the work to make it happen.
- Delete it.
- Throw it away.
- Recycle it.
- Donate it.
- Pay it forward.
- Release it.
- Burn It.
- Bury it.
- Change it.
- Redesign it.
- Streamline it.
- Say no.
- Say yes.
- Say “help.”
3. What are you ready to let go of?
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but perhaps skimming this will prompt you to identify where you’re ready to do some release work.
- Bad habits – too much social media, too much wine, too little sleep, too little exercise.
- Limiting beliefs – not good enough, not attractive enough, not smart enough, not successful enough.
- Physical clutter – stacks of paper, books you don’t need, kids old art projects, clothes that don’t fit.
- E-clutter – outdated client files, abandoned projects, unread emails in your inbox, unused apps.
- Social – rarely seeing friends, even rarer date nights with a beloved, limited quality time with kids, never enough “me time.”
- Spiritual – lacking gratitude, focusing on the negative, not taking time to pray/meditate, feeling disconnected from your Higher Power.
- Emotional – fears about an upcoming transition, conflict with loved ones, anxiety about world events, worry about some struggles your children are facing.
4. What’s your plan and who can help?
Planning is key for success with a “letting go” project. Start by identifying what areas of your life you want to change. Don’t pick every item on the list above—you’ll wear yourself out. Try choosing 1-3 areas that you want to make a visible difference and start there.
- Some things you can handle on your own. If you need to clean out your clothing closet or schedule some “me time”– it can be as simple as blocking time out on the calendar and committing the time to do it.
- Other things you can delegate. Ask your kids to pick up their play room and organize their old toys for donation. Task your administrative assistant to help you sort through your backlog of emails.
- Sometimes you really do need help. Whether it’s busting through your limiting beliefs or working through a big transition – it might require the help of a trusted advisor in your life. It could be your best friend, your business partner, your spouse or your coach.
Once you’ve identified what you want to work on, when it’s going to happen and who’s going to help you, TAKE ACTION! Schedule it into your calendar. Make that phone call. Get it done and when you’re done, be sure to celebrate!
If you’d like a little bit of accountability, leave a comment or reach out to me via my contact page and tell me what commitment you’re making to LETTING GO and I’ll be glad to cheer you on!
So now that I’ve finished this article, I’m off to clean my desk!
Here’s to creating space by letting go!
Elizabeth