Time to DECLUTTER!

A few years ago, I wrote an article for an e-magazine, Mimi Magazine. The article was published in the January 2008 issue and you can read it here: Removing the Clutter. What I basically talked about was how to remove the clutter and noise in different areas of your life, such as your Wardrobe, Filing Cabinet, and Friends and Family.

With 2013 just starting out, resolutions and goals flying all over the place, now's a great time to take a close look at your life and start removing the junk!

• Phone: I'm specifically talking about Blackberry Messenger here. Dear friends, your BBM Contacts list should not rival your Facebook Friends list. Your phone should be more personal, with ONLY people you've MET and actually LIKE. If you've got someone on your BBM list because you feel a certain obligation, say BUHBYE! If a BBM contact sends ONLY broadcasts messages, guess what... that person doesn't care enough to have a personal conversation with you - SAYONARA! If you haven't chatted with someone for 3-6 months, why why WHY are they taking up space on your phone - AU REVOIR!
  
  I am in the middle of a self-imposed BBM break, and I can't tell you how peaceful I feel when I look at my phone. There's no need to constantly update pictures, status messages, etc. I actually cringe when I think about having to come back on. I know for sure, my contact list will dramatically reduce - no offense meant to anyone I won't re-add. I have a friend who has a category on her BBM - People to Delete, LOL. She just keeps adding contacts, and whenever she feels like it, 20 people disappear from her phone :p
  
• Body: A great way to declutter your body is by going on a reasonable diet. I'm not a fan of cleanses or juicing because I feel like any weight lost will be gained back in a second. But watching what you eat, eating in moderation, and drinking lots of water will only do you good. If you must do a drastic diet or cleanse, I would say do it for 3-7 days at a time, and no more than once a month. *DISCLAIMER - I am not a nutritionist or physician o! Don't mention my name if somn wrong happens because I was not there by that time*
  
  I would add FASTING as another way to detox your body, but I'm a firm believer that the object of fasting is NOT to lose weight. Fasting is spiritual and should be done for that purpose. Yes, you most probably will lose weight, but don't make that the goal of a fast. I'm currently doing a Daniel Fast for my church's beginning-of-year fasting program. If I lose weight, great, and if I don't, still fine.
  
• Mind: Decluttering my mind is something that I need to do, myself. For the past few days I've had some trouble sleeping - maybe it's just jetlag. But when it's time for bed, I find that I can't sleep and my mind's buzzing with a million and one thoughts. I literally feel like my head's moving at 200 miles per hour.
  
  Something we can do is WRITE! Get a journal or use your phone/tablet and just write down everything and anything that comes to mind. There's something about writing and helps you let go of stuff, or brings organization to your thoughts/ideas.
  
  Another thing that helps me is PRAYER. Praying is simply talking to God and when I'm alone, I sometimes pray out loud. There are different opinions on this, but I'm not a SHOUT AND CRY OUT ONTO JEHOVAH YAHWEH kinda gal. In fact, I believe that you should talk to God as you would normally. I don't think God's looking for you to put on airs of religiousity. Just be real with him. For instance, how about
  
  
  "Hello Father. So, I had the WORST DAY EVER! But You know this already because You never leave me nor forsake me. God I'm extra tired and I just need strength and peace. And remember, YOU said to ask anything in your name, so Jesus I'm asking in your name for your peace that passes understanding. In fact, I want to be able to stand in the middle of Balogun market and not worry (*I've been to Nigerian markets maybe 10 times in my life, so this would be a HUGE DEAL*). Thanks for listening Lord. BTW, I'm sorry for yelling at that person that cut me off at the toll gate. Help me to be more loving towards okada men and danfo drivers. Amen!"

So there we have it :) I hope some of these tips are useful to you. Let me know what you do that helps you declutter your life. I really want to hear from y'all. 

Toodles and have a PRETTY day.