Decluttering-travel Light
Author: Ellie West, Master Certified Practitioner NLP, TLT, & Hypnotherapy & Certified Enneagram Coach
Decluttering- Travel Light
Ellie West
Master Certified Practitioner NLP, TLT, & Hypnotherapy & Certified Enneagram Coach
The first of the New Year is usually a time for decluttering—clearing out the past year. This might include organizing your thoughts and feelings while getting rid of items you no longer need or that no longer serve you.
When we declutter, we become open to new ideas, experience greater joy in our hearts, and our homes feel lighter. Decluttering is like pulling back heavy curtains in a dark room, allowing sunlight to stream in. Suddenly, we see everything more clearly, and the space feels warm and inviting.
Decluttering is similar to pruning a tree. Initially, it might feel like you’re removing too much, but before long, you’ll witness new blooms—bringing unexpected beauty and growth into your life.
Most things we chase, collect, and obsess over ultimately hold little meaning. We invest so much energy into acquiring them, working long hours, worrying about upgrades, and filling our spaces with items we believe will bring us joy or status.
We even create, build, or rent storage space to hold items we rarely or never use. Yet, in the end, nothing goes with us. Everything will be left behind, sorted by others, boxed up, donated, or discarded. What we worked so hard to accumulate will become someone else’s burden.
The actual value of life isn’t found in material possessions; it’s found in the memories we create, the love we share, and the impact we have on the hearts of those around us. Things can be replaced, but shared moments, laughter, and genuine connections are irreplaceable. Those are the treasures that genuinely matter.
When people reflect on your life, they won’t discuss how many shoes you owned or how large your house was. They’ll remember how you made them feel. One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.
They’ll recall the moments you supported them, how you made them laugh, and the memories of adventures, kindness, and love. That’s your true legacy—what you contribute to the lives of others.
It can be challenging to let go of items that carry memories. I have experienced this myself, but as I continue to purge and organize each item, I realize that releasing the clutter feels like shedding a weight I didn’t know I was carrying.
While guiding women through a week's intensive discussion about decluttering, a few clients went home and began decluttering their spaces, sorting through closets, drawers, and spare rooms. One client, in particular, was amazed at how much energy she felt purging items that no longer served her. This is a beautiful testament to bringing calm to your environment.
Recently, I watched a video of an airplane that made an emergency landing. As I watched the video, I was struck by the passengers who slid down the emergency escape slides. Many took their belongings with them, even though it’s clear that, in such a scenario, one should leave everything behind. Your life is what truly matters, not the possessions you carry.
Imagine shifting our focus from acquiring possessions to gathering experiences and meaningful connections. What if we spent less time working for things and more time nurturing relationships, sharing laughter, exploring the world, and simply being present? Those are the moments that truly matter.
Start small—clear one drawer, donate one bag, or write down one thought holding you back. Each small act of release creates room for joy and clarity. As you let go, ask yourself: What is the purpose of keeping this? What could I gain by letting this go? What beauty and freedom might fill this space? There is peace in simplifying.
As I age, I value the importance of shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and the freedom to be genuine and authentic. Life is not defined by what you own but by how fully you live.
Spend quality time with your loved ones. Share your stories and create memories that bring joy to your soul and theirs. Ultimately, it’s not the material possessions that matter—it’s the moments that count. Let’s prioritize what truly lasts.
Ultimately, our lives aren’t defined by what we keep BUT by what we gave, who we loved, and the memories we created. Let’s travel light, making room for what truly matters.
To connect with Ellie: Master Certified Practitioner NLP, TLT, & Hypnotherapy & Certified Enneagram Coach FB: https://www.facebook.com/coachelliewest
