Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Declutter
Whether it's your mind or your bedroom, clutter has the power to make any woman feel so overwhelmed (as if we didn't already have enough going on).
While the decluttering trend has been poppin for quite a while now, it's safe to say there is no better time than now to take it on. Taking a day to declutter your physical and mental space can make a world of a difference. This is coming from someone who loved to keep everything until I found out living a borderline hoarder life wasn't cute…so clean out, declutter, and refresh.
Here are some reasons you should think about decluttering your life ASAP:
Free Your Mind
The phrase is more than an En Vogue song that's still the jam to this day. But seriously, from clothes to unopened mail, to socks to blankets, having clutter in your home, car, and office space can make your mind feel cluttered too. And this isn't a one-and-done thing. You can't really free your mind without freeing your physical space, especially at home. There's a pretty big chance you'll feel like you have to go somewhere else just to obtain peace of mind and think, when the answer could be as easy as clearing out your area and making room.
Get That Beauty Sleep
Having clutter piled up has this weird way of making you always feel tired, but somehow, it never actually allows you to get any sleep. The nerve, right? I think we've all had that mess that we get tired just thinking about having to clean up. But, the effort it takes to declutter, even if you have to do one room or one space at a time, will be worth it when you can look at the same area that used to stress you out and breathe a sigh of relief before you get some much-needed sleep. Plus, how can you sleep with a pile of clothes and other unmentionables on your bed, floor, and everywhere in between?
Helps Decrease Anxiety
…And stress. Seriously, research has proven there's a connection between anxiety, stress, and the amount of clutter you have in your home. This has the potential to make you overeat, and just be an emotional eater in general, which not only makes you gain unhealthy weight but impacts your mental and physical health. On the upside, once you decide to declutter, your mood will be much better. I can attest to the emotion of having too much clutter and always feeling like you have to get your life together. But once you remove it, you'll be happier and might even be ready to have company without feeling like you have to throw everything under your bed and in the closet...or am I the only one who does that?
Focus On Fleek
Oh, the places you can go once you declutter. Instead of giving your attention to seemingly overpowering piles of items here and there, picture a clean and open space that will help you get inspired and motivated with ideas. Whether it's cleaning your kitchen to make a meal or cleaning out your office to get more done at work, decluttering will have your focus on 10. Now, you can finally tap into your creativity, be even more productive, and make clearer decisions.
Goals Don’t Seem Impossible
Decluttering can also help you set and reach goals. You probably know how hard it is to even try and accomplish anything when you have a pile of mess to focus on instead. If you clean out the clutter and replace it with items that inspire and motivate you, you'll be able to really take time to think about what you want out of life, and the goals and dreams you've been hoping to achieve. But, proceed with caution, because the items that inspire you can turn into more clutter, and you'll have to repeat the process all over again.
You Could Actually Save Some Coins
Having clutter around could actually be costing you money. Have you ever had that moment when you can't find your lipstick, or your favorite scarf, so you count it up as a loss and go buy a new one? It might not seem like a major life changing purchase, but that ish adds up when it comes to your coins and the amount of clutter you have. Plus, if you haven't embraced paperless billing and get your bills mailed to you, it will be easy to forget to pay a bill, and those late fees are no joke.
That Pile Can’t Keep Piling Up
And I say this out of love. But girl, if you don't take care of it, it will only get worse. And we both know that's not healthy for your mental, physical, emotional, or any other type of space you have in and out of your body. This was a reality I had to come to terms with too. As easy as it is to ignore the clutter and subconsciously make it bigger (because who has time to clean up?), it only makes things worse for every part of you. Seriously, I know how much of a chore taking the time to declutter is, but it will make a world of a difference.
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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