SHED+Clarify: Let go to grow

You girls ever go into your closet looking to put together an outfit and by pass something and think

'I haven't worn that in FOREVER!... but no, I'm not going to wear it today. But I'll wear it again someday...'

C'mon! You know you definitely have! Perhaps this article of clothing holds a special meaning. Perhaps you remember the last time you wore it, was on a fun date with your now husband. That's totally me!

My husband has a strict rule in his neat closet, 'if it hasn't been worn in 3 years, it's goes!'

Not so simple over here! I tend to hang on to things, attach meaning and emotion to them or somehow worry that I will someday need it again. Like I how need my grad school notes and research papers; like I am going to review them in my spare time (insert eye roll emoji). As I sit here to type, I realize it sounds ridiculous!

So, this got me thinking further about what I am holding on to. What else am I hanging on to + how is this clogging up space in my life for new opportunities. (thinking beyond my closet here!)

What if we all adapted my husband's 3 year rule with our internal dialogue? Old feelings, thoughts and beliefs about ourselves get tossed once they no longer serve us?

Hanging on to old feelings, thoughts and beliefs are like those old clothes we hang on to. They're familiar, cozy, we know how to manipulate them to look and feel a certain way! Throwing away a trusty pair of sweat pants can elicit an unfamiliar + bare feeling, while also creating a bit of excitement for a new pair in the future.

Bringing this back to a more personal level. Think about the concept of shedding:

Shedding: (verb) to emit + let fall; release

I am starting to feel more attuned to the routine waxing and waning of the 'seasons' of my life. I also notice the more in tune I am with myself; the more understanding and compassion I have for myself + others.

A ever growing understanding has really allowed me to better see, process, + now challenge whatever is going on in the moment. For example, if feeling negatively about an interaction with another person... rather than make a stark judgement about who they are or how I responded, I intend to allow for flexibility. As I continue to work on improving this mental system for myself, I realize my truth is all relative! Thus meaning, my truth is free to change day to day...year to year; with my seasons.

What a freeing feeling!

So the old thoughts in your mind, just like that old pair of sweats in your closet: They are old, worn + tired! While they keep you cozy, they're also keeping you small!

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I challenge you to join me cleaning out our mental closets.

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3 things I Am Shedding To Grow:

1) Old Conflicts:

Be mindful of energy. Essentially everything we do is an energy exchange. Every second you spend feeling angry or jealous, is truly taking away from the present moment's opportunity to feel happy or make positive memories. Extend yourself to mend strained relationships, complicated situations with co workers, miscommunications between friends/family.

The awkward feeling of actually initiating a resolution fades quickly + far out-weights that negativity that you're carrying around daily.

2) "Talking" About Quiet Time:

YOU define this! If quiet time (yoga, journaling, mediation, etc.) practiced regularly, it can really cut back on feelings of stress and anxiety, while also creating a quiet space for your own self reflection and growth.

Actually applying this step into your shedding process must be realistic to where you currently are. Personally, I find it easier to attend a yoga class or follow along on a youTube yoga video rather than sitting and mediating regularly.

For example, I would love to sit here and tell you I doing a quiet sitting practice every day for 30 minutes (as posed picture above would imply, ha!) It would be a lie, but I am also not at a point where I am WILLING to give up 30 minutes to that right now. However, I do a 5 minute flow on the mornings I don't get to work out in the A.M. I used to watch a short YouTube video and follow along. I've built myself up to being more free by creating my own gentle flow. I do it first thing in the morning, as to not get distracted by "everything else".

This has become my morning routine, it's not elaborate, but it's where I am right now, and its perfect!

3) Negative Methods:

We can all agree that negative thoughts all serve some type of ego-driven purpose. Whether it's self fulfilling stress, it best fit in your social group (you def need some new friends, but I'll save that for another day), negative thoughts serve as our excuses...etc.

How about raising our competencies?! How about enlightening ourselves to recognize just how freaking awesome we are! This is a new practice for me, rather than always making a checklist of "to do's". On Friday (I told you it was new). I made a short list of things I completed. Simply doing this changed my thought pattern.

So, rather than leaving work on Friday feeling overwhelmed with all that I have to do, I left feeling accomplished and satisfied. Hmmmm!?

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By shedding the old things from our "mental closet", we are simultaneously making space for exactly what we need in our new season...

Spring is coming before we know ;)

Go on girl,

XO, Kat