By Carla Daniels

Alleviate Clutter

It's 2010, you have made all the same resolutions that you may or may not keep, and yet you still feel that something is missing, or maybe it is there but it has no energy or juice. It is time to ACTIVATE Your Life. The first step is to alleviate unnecessary clutter from your life.

Ask yourself, "What is cluttering up my life?" Is it worry, fear, procrastination, self-doubt, extra body weight, self-esteem, people and other such issues? You may have great ideas and energy but that energy has to travel through a lot of clutter in order to reach you. The more clutter it has to travel through the less energy is available when it reaches you. The less energy you have to use for your life and the things you want to do for your life and others.

When things are in the way, they slow down your energy or activation, and they have to go. To remove worry is simple, stop worrying. Too simple for some, too hard for others, but it is proven that if you stop worrying about things you can't change and change the things you can, you feel better, do better and your life is less stressful. For instance, if you are worrying about finances, you can either increase your income or reduce your expenses. The problem is we become attached to the "things" that we try to maintain instead of maintaining life.

Look around your home and start with one room at a time such as the room that you are in the most, say your bedroom or other such area. Look around the room and start removing things that don't work, are in the way, you've outgrown, or just don't need. Starting with one room at a time will get you in the swing of alleviating unnecessary things. Believe me I am not of the minimalist movement where you should have nothing and live a poor existence, and be content in that manner, yet so many people try to live a life based on material wealth but the foundation for wealth eludes them. The foundation is first; your life matters more than things. If you lost the things and still had your life, you can get more things, but if you lose your life, game over. There is a saying, "he who dies with the most toys still dies."

In my life, I removed unnecessary activities that weren't getting me anywhere and using up my energy. I have several talents and I really wanted to use all of them but found out that I can't do all things. I looked across my life and started looking at the things I really wanted to do and why. I love working with people and helping others as well as performing. These three areas were what I chose to work on. Everything else was let go. My life has been so much better because now I know that if any new activities don't fall in one of these three areas, they will be passed on to others.

When it came to the clutter in my home, I started with my bedroom. This is my inner sanctum and the most stress free place in my home. I wanted a new look so I painted the walls, a soothing Horizon Haze and the trim, Bridal Veil, ok it is blue and white but the names are so cool. I moved the room around to give it a better flow of movement of air. I removed unnecessary furniture and added a chaise lounger so I can have an area just to think or not think. From there, I cleaned out my closets and gave away clothes that no longer fit because I have some clutter in my body that I need to move out. Then I added elements to the walls that drew my mind from negative to positive thoughts. I put up quotes that I can change as needed.

After a weekend of alleviating clutter from my home and life, I feel better, freer, more open, more energized. What do you need to alleviate in your life to feel your full energy? What is stopping you from activating your life?

About ACTIVATE Your Life is a year long series of articles, exercises, and self evaluations. It will consist of a holistic approach to getting the most out of your life by activating the dormant power that lies in all of us. We will look at every aspect of a person's life in order to activate it. These areas include finances, health, relationships, self esteem, careers, etc. It will have humor, documented and researched facts, up to the minute information on all issues, especially health. So that you can encourage others, you will be able to upload pictures and testimonies in the Facebook group. You can email Carla Daniels activate@hmgconsultants.com