Removing "clutter" from your life

Like an empty cup, every person has a certain amount of space in their life to fill. We fill this with jobs, hobbies, entertainment, relationships, chores/maintenance…etc. In order to make space for what's "essential", or only what's "essential", we have to first identify what "essential" looks like in alignment with our current needs and values. Start with reflecting on what needs and values are inspiring your desire to eliminate the "inessential".

Address the unrealistic idea that one can just easily drop everything they're counting on or used to having unless it's urgent. While some can, most people can't just do that. There are ideas and emotions built around our current circumstances that may have to be broken down first. A helpful move toward this goal of having only what's "essential" is to identify exactly what it is we consider "essential" in accordance with our current mental, physical and spiritual needs. Perhaps, for example, it's "essential" that you cultivate more healthy and meaningful friendships which does not feel possible with the friends you currently have. Embracing solitude by fully emptying out our cup of relationships while we attract that isn't reasonable for most people, so instead, we take one step at time.

Slowly distancing ourself from the inessential to make more and more space for the essential by forwardly moving toward that instead. Replacing the tainted water in our cup with water that's fresh.

*This post is not intended to diagnose or replace mental health treatment.