Garage Full, Life Full—But Not in the Good Way

Your garage might be telling the story of your life—and it’s not a bestseller.

Walking through my neighborhood, I see open garage doors like confessionals—silent witnesses to lives buried under boxes. Many of the open garages are filled with stuff that my neighbors collected over the years. They probably don’t even know what’s in many of the boxes or containers in the garage. It’s just stuff that is sitting there. When they die, their children will toss most of it away. What their children don’t toss away, they may keep or have an estate sale.

The American naturalist and philosopher Henry David Theroux said, “Sweep away the clutter of things that complicate our lives.” When we clean the clutter out of our living spaces we’ begin simplifying our lives. There are health benefits that come from simplifying our lives. 1) We fell less overwhelmed. 2) We think more clearly. 3) We’re able to focus on our priorities. And 4) letting go helps us to release emotional issues and bring closure. Do you have any clutter that makes no sense to keep? Start small. One drawer, one box at a time. Soon, you’ll start to get a sense of emotional freedom. Good luck.

Points to Ponder:

• What “stuff” in your life is actually just emotional baggage in disguise?
• How could removing clutter open up more than just physical space?
• What would your days feel like if your environment was lighter and freer?