Extreme Spring Cleaning
I'm claiming it as a "thing" . . .
Dear Beautiful Soul,
I’ve been in a massive, highly focused Extreme Spring Cleaning, which I believe should be a thing. A thing unto itself if not a new sport. My ESC (Extreme Spring Cleaning) is a result of a simple decision that’s been years in the making. I will do a deeper dive into that decision and those years in another Letter or Letters. For now, suffice it to say what I’m really doing is a big old life clean-out but since it’s spring, I opted for naming it an ESC. My secret hope is that I can have it wrapped well before summer commences next month.
One particularly challenging area that I’ve turned my ESC toward is my digital photo library. It is 22,765 photos strong and spans 20-ish years. Unlike physical objects, which require “handling”, my digital photo library requires that I feel my way—from photo-to-photo. I know from past attempts at getting this sorted that delete is a powerful choice, which can tug hard at the soul. So, I set a timer for 30 minutes and relive the memory behind each and every photo before deciding its fate. To delete or not delete? (Thirty minutes of this “life or death” decision making is my max.)
This is rigorous mental, emotional and spiritual work. Do not undertake this lightly and certainly do not attempt this without chocolate at the ready. I also highly recommend a box of Kleenex or, if you’re a Southerner like me, a clean white hankie within reach.
The question I’m asking myself, with each and every image, is whether it belongs in the new life I am actively creating. So, to the best of my ability, I’m deciding the fate of each photo from that future me—the version of myself that is in the process of becoming. She has clarity and an energy that feels like a through line to an intentional, clean and clear life. I may waffle but she is very sure of herself and also very patient with me.
In reliving the memories that my photos captured, I am actively feeling past moments of my life—from yesterday to years ago. Some make me tear up with joy, some make me laugh out loud, some are a gut punch and some are so absolutely gorgeous that they feel like a blessing. And some are truly horrible. And more than a few are photos of the interior of a pocket.
I’m keeping the blessing, LOL and joyful tear photos. I’m carefully considering each gut-punch, reflecting on lessons learned and practicing gratitude for those lessons. The horrible photos along with the pocket interior photos are being deleted.
Extreme Spring Cleaning, including this digital cleanse of my photo library, has me feeling lighter and lighter on my feet every day. Weight is being lifted off my shoulders, I’m sensing more space around me and in me. My future self is leading the charge and I am, with each “delete” becoming her.
Much has been said about the power of cleaning out your closet, your kitchen drawers, your garage. The re-claiming of space is an energetic shift, a way of saying, “I’m redesigning my life, I’m redesigning myself.” I believe Extreme Spring Cleaning is a form of conscious evolution. And that’s a good thing.
Let’s keep the good going and growing . . .
XO Laura
P.S. Let me know if you’re spring cleaning! How does it feel? How do you feel? I hope it feels like hope and makes you feel hopeful. XO