DiannePurdie.com

Health, Wealth, Relationships & Happiness

Is de-cluttering a path to happiness?

Posted on | September 8, 2010 | 5 Comments

I am part of a wealth and wisdom group of spiritual entrepreneurs that is currently discussing ‘stuff and clutter’ and why we don’t actually need it anymore in our lives.  I too am trying to clear my clutter although not as rapidly and bare bones as some of them.   I shared my thoughts with the group that in my opinion it is all about happiness isn’t it.  Clearly money and the stuff it buys doesn’t bring happiness, but also even more clearly lack of money doesn’t either.  I hope that those who are de-cluttering all of their possessions away aren’t doing it as a route to happiness as happiness is within, with or without possessions.

I briefly shared about a personal growth course I went on 20 years ago and about learning that many go through life saying when x happens (I get married, graduate, kids grow up etc etc) THEN I will be happy.  In truth happiness is not a destination or a future occurrence.  It is within us and a feeling we just have to embrace (independently of what is currently happening).  The sad thing was that I was married to a rich dentist at the time (husband number 1) and everybody in this group was a dentist or doctor or their spouse.  Nobody in the group was happy and they were all rich!  I made the mistaken connection that the money was the problem and husband number 2 was poor.  That even more clearly didn’t bring happiness.  Husband number 3 shares the same life lessons that I do and we really do feel that regarding money it is currently like a frozen account that we just don’t have access to at the moment but it is already there on some level…

I told the group I just wanted to make sure that being clutter free isn’t like the x in the above equation that ‘when I’m clutter free THEN I’ll be happy’ as stuff or no stuff wherever you go there you are!   

The other thing is you can’t be afraid of being hurt. Some in the group were expressing that they aren’t buying totally into the idea that they will be prosperous so they aren’t hurt if it doesn’t happen.  I have to say that is how the majority of the people who have been hurt in relationships feel and that is why they are protecting themselves from trying again.  Think of a little child in a playground who falls off a swing.  Do you think they swear off swings or decide not to swing in full joy because they might get hurt?  Of course not and we have to be as the little child and not be afraid.  If we believe our beliefs create our reality which clearly we all do (at least on an intellectual level) then we really need to believe with all our heart, soul and spirit that we will prosper. 

Then, we can each decide how much of our ‘stuff’ we want, how much we want to work (because we want to not because we have to), how we can best give to others etc.

 

Category: Financial freedom, Freedom, happiness, The law of attraction, Wealth Creation

Comments

5 Responses to “Is de-cluttering a path to happiness?”

  1. Tamara Cobbin
    September 8th, 2010 @ 3:39 pm

    I loved you thoughts and how they rolled off your pen. I believe in decluttering – but not to bring about happiness.
    I believe it is important to declutter so you can make room for all you attract, to new adventures and a continuation of your journey.
    When something doesn’t have to be or want to be there – remove it and open up room for things that do want to be in its place. This will ultimately create happiness as a natural procession

  2. Dianne Purdie
    September 8th, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

    Tamara
    Thank you so much for your reply and I totally agree that we have to release what we no longer need in order to make room for what we do want in life and a continuation of our journey. I loved your website http://everysmallspace.com/ and will join your facebook fan page!
    love
    Dianne

  3. Wendi Knox
    September 10th, 2010 @ 4:00 pm

    Hi Dianne….yes, I’d like to de-clutter the piles of disorganized paper and get rid of things that don’t speak to me anymore or get in the way of feeling free. But I must admit I’m not a minimalist. And I actually love certain “things” which remind me of someone or a trip or tell some other story. And I love the creativity of putting “things” together in a joyful beautiful way. So yes….I agree with what you said. We shouldn’t tie any of the externals to our inner happiness.

  4. Dianne Purdie
    September 10th, 2010 @ 6:47 pm

    Hi Wendi
    Thanks for that as I was beginning to think I was the only one who hasn’t gone completely minimalistic! If I had your creativity my lovely stuff would be everywhere. All goddesses reading this should check out your site http://www.ohmygoddess.com for inspiration on enjoying the beautiful and magical parts of life.
    love
    Dianne

  5. Marta Davidovich Ockuly
    October 11th, 2010 @ 5:47 am

    I loved your de-clutter post Dianne! I encourage people to consider “this AND that” rather than “When this, then that”. I can have clutter and be happy. I can take steps to move me in the direction of what brings me joy. I can love my things and release/recycle what no longer brings me joy. There are so many ways to get un-stuck. They simply require getting started.

Leave a Reply





  • Get Dianne’s Book Here…

  • What I'm Tweeting...