My friend Ava is in the process of decluttering and reached her next goal: getting the spare bedroom handled. In that bedroom are two shelves filled with
religious items. She found a set of rosary beads she obtained when she made her first communion, many, many years ago. She came across several small religious statues. She remembers displaying them in her childhood home decades ago, but cannot recall where they came from.
She had many Bibles and
prayer books that she obtained throughout her Catholic school years. Ava also found prayer cards from the funeral parlor when her uncle John passed away...and a bunch of religious cards and programs from celebrations of life she has attended from time to time.
Every religious calendar that ever
came into her life? They landed on those shelves as well.
Ava has reached a point where she is tired of holding on to things that no longer serve a purpose. She is downsizing and has made a personal commitment to bid farewell to unnecessary items. After all, these relics had been gathering dust for
ages, and new additions only mean more clutter.
In her hesitant voice, Ava gave me a call, seeking "permission" before she took the plunge and donated some of these items. She even half-jokingly expressed her fear of lightning strikes or ghostly hauntings. I assured her that her feelings were
completely understandable and that there was a way to approach this process with mindfulness and respect, without inviting any supernatural trouble.
Here are some tips I shared with Ava, and I hope they can help you too if you find yourself in a similar
situation:
1. Reflect on the true meaning: Take a moment to think about the true meaning and purpose of each
religious item. Ask yourself if it still aligns with your current beliefs and practices. Remember, your faith resides within you, not in physical objects.
2. Evaluate sentimental value: Consider the sentimental value of each item. Do they bring you joy and happy memories, or are
they simply adding to the clutter? Sentimentality is personal, so don't be afraid to keep the ones that hold deep emotional significance to you.
3. Set boundaries: Designate a specific "small" container to house your religious items. This will help prevent them from spreading
throughout your home and accumulating over time. It also forces you to choose and prioritize the most meaningful pieces. If there are a few that are truly meaningful to you, consider displaying them rather than hiding them in a closet.
4. Donate with intention: If you decide to
part with certain items, do so with intention. Find religious organizations, places of worship, or individuals who will appreciate and benefit from them. Sharing these items can bring a sense of fulfillment and extend their spiritual value to others.
5. Preserve memories: Capture
the memories associated with the items you let go of. Take photographs or write journal entries to hold onto the sentimental value while freeing up physical space.
6. Embrace the present: Remember that letting go of unnecessary possessions is not a betrayal of your faith or the
people associated with those items. It's about creating a space that reflects your current beliefs and spiritual journey. Embrace the present moment and the clarity that comes from decluttering.
As Ava and I wrapped up our conversation, she felt a renewed sense of empowerment and relief. She
realized that decluttering religious items was not about disrespecting her faith, family, or friends.
Instead, it was a way to create room for a deeper and more authentic spiritual
connection. With newfound confidence, she embarked on this transformative journey, honoring herself and her spirituality in the process.
