Deep Cleaning

A couple of times a year I do a little "Spring cleaning". I like to deep clean everything in the house - the baseboards, ceiling fans, cabinets, closets, and bookshelves. 

Three of my office walls are lined with bookshelves. I stood before the bookshelves surveying the contents. Not only do the shelves hold books, but mementos and photographs. I thumbed through a few of the books in an attempt to recall the reason I decided to keep them during the last round of deep cleaning. 

From my office I moved into my closet. One of three closets in the master bedroom. I use one of the closets for shoes, hats, scarves, and purses. I noticed shoes I have not worn in over a year. I saw one pair peeping from the bottom of a shelf that I have not worn in many years. 

The same story could be told of the contents of the kitchen and bath cabinets, as well as other nooks and crannies throughout the house. Interestingly, I am not a clutter-bug. I keep things neat and tidy. Nonetheless, there is far too much. Items I no longer use and hang onto "just in case". Many baubles kept simply because of emotional attachment. 

Incidentally, I find myself keeping knickknacks because of my attachment to the person with whom the knickknack is associated, rather than an attachment to the object. I feel overwhelmingly cleansed after a thorough deep cleaning of my home. Each time I go through the process I am reminded of how amazing an act that is relatively simple can become. The process is cathartic. Why then do I resist? 

Deep cleaning my home parallels with the deep cleaning of the soul. I wonder...what am I hanging onto "just in case"? 

Do I hold onto emotions? People? Connections? Of course, I do. What is the reason? Fear, maybe? Comfort, probably? 

Deep cleaning a home is cathartic. Imagine the relief of deep cleaning toxicity from your life. Let go of the junk. Get rid of the tchotchkes - emotional, physical, mental. These weigh far too much and add clutter.

Time for a cleanse!