How Spring Cleaning Became An Act Of Self-Love For Me
Why wait until spring, mid-spring, or even summer to declutter your life? Spring is slowly but surely approaching, the time is NOW to do early spring cleaning! I did something this month for the first time in a long time. Instead of waiting until spring like most of people do, I took accountability for the clutter in my life in the here and now. And guess what? I haven't felt this light, liberated, or in control of my life in a very long time.
During the clearing out process, I got really emotional. I realized that I was holding onto a lot of things that were hindering my growth and blocking prosperity. Some items made me feel like, "One woman's trash is another woman's treasure." Other items made me feel like, "Out with the old and in with the new."
Breakdown
I finally threw away old pairs of stripper heels that I still felt the need to hold on to. Some odd years ago, literally, I used to be an exotic dancer before finding myself through self-love and spirituality. During the time period that I was dancing, I left home due to verbal and physical abuse and looked to the strip club as a "safe haven" and place to become "independent." It turned out to be anything but that, but that's a whole 'nother story.
I held on to those old stripper heels because I thought I needed a reminder of my strength and how far I've come from my past.
Throwing them away was the most empowering and bravest thing that I've ever done. I proved to myself that I don't have to hold on to a rough past in order to heal, it's better to release and let go! From there, I ended up with five other huge garbage bags to throw away and a big bag of clothing to give away, good karma.
Next, I hired a professional carpet cleaner to bring my carpet back to life. Lastly, I burned sage and cleared the energy of my whole entire living space.
I say all of this to say, don't wait any longer and start today. Challenge yourself while cleaning and decluttering your life. Don't do a half ass job, really get it done. Start by asking yourself is there anything that I'm still holding onto that needs to be released? What baggage in my life do I need to let go of? Does this item make me happy? Does this imagery bring back good memories? Does this person deserve to continue to be a part of my life journey?
Breakthrough
Anyone or anything that you that you do NOT want to carry into spring, release it and let it go. Anything or anyone that should have been left in 2017… or maybe even 2016 or 2015, the time is NOW to have trust and faith in yourself and the Universe enough to bravely move forward! You owe it to yourself to live a life of peace, joy, and abundance.
Don't let negative energy or energy that no longer serves who you are right now get in the way of what this life has in store for you!
You will instantly notice a change in your life and in the world when you start with self. Decluttering your mind, your home, your car, your phone, etc. are all acts of self-love. Never allow anyone to make you feel bad for having self-preservation, that's the biggest act of self-love. If you can't love and nurture your own self, then you can't do provide that to anyone else.
Put yourself first unapologetically by doing some SPRING CLEANING in an area of your life that needs it most.
Today.
xoNecole is always looking for new voices and empowering stories to add to our platform. If you have an interesting story or personal essay that you'd love to share, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at submissions@xonecole.com.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 5 Ways To Spring Clean Your Sex Life - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- How To Spring Clean Your Work Life - xoNecole: Lifestyle, Culture, Love, & Wellness ›
Natural Muurmaid is a spiritual wellness lifestyle brand. She is a Writer, Reiki Master, Tarot Reader, Seamstress, Yogini, and Doula and Gemologist in training.
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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ItGirl In Motion: Paige Shari Addison Shows Us Why She's The Hostess With The Mostess
Paige Shari Addison is the epitome of an ItGirl, which is why she is one of 100 ladies on xoNecole's inaugural ItGirl 100 list in partnership with Hyundai. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Paige started her journey as a host in high school by hosting parties. Since then, she has made a career in hosting, from parties to big-name events, and she launched Strictly RNB, a platform for new artists and R&B lovers. Paige reflects on her creative path in the limited video series "ItGirl in Motion."
“My first curated event at Criminal Records was incredible. It was all for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “I needed a platform for us as a collective to be able to give ourselves the platform instead of asking for it, instead of looking for it. I was like, I want to make sure I let people get this experience that I would give as a performer but enjoy the experience with them. It was a dream come true.”
The Atlanta native also has her own line of acai bowls called Soulfull Bowls. She started it during the pandemic after events and parties shut down. But it was her love for eating acai bowls and the reactions others had to them that made her want to make it her next business move. Being open to creating new ventures in the midst of uncertainty is a bold move and one of the reasons why Paige has the “it” factor.
“Being an ItGirl means you’re just authentic. There’s an air to us. We have confidence that exudes from the way we speak, the way we put our lip gloss on, the way we walk, the way we talk. I show up as myself everytime I walk into a room. I’m hospitable, I make sure everybody’s good,” she says.
Get to know more about the hostess with the mostess in the video above.
See our ItGirl 100 list in full here. Click through the gallery below for some BTS moments of Paige and our partnership with Hyundai.
Director: Mikkoh @mikkoh
Production company: @polly___studio
Producer/AD: Samuel Cho @choboi90
Producer/Tech: Paul Nguyen @paul__winn
DP: Cristian Bernal @cristianbernal
Editor: @30inthemorning
2nd Cam: Paul Nguyen
1st AC: AJ Paug @ajpaug Gaffer: Dennis Albert @dennisalbert_
Audio Mixer: Victor Chavez @vic_the__
PA: Rick Carreno @ispeakrick
PA: Tiffany Do @tivani.doee
BTS Photo: Prime @theartofprime
Car Detail: @sud_studs @slugglobal
Creative Director @hellobosco
Team Lead @kevgumbo3000
Project Manager @zakk_jullot
Creative Producer @iamkingsheyla
Designers @miacolemxn @noelspiva
@xoNecole
Director, Integrated Marketing @_vang
Campaign Manager @kingchachiii
Talent Lead @kaylawalker
Feature image by Prime/ @theartof prime