Is It Time To Declutter?

-by Mindy Irish

I recently wrote a column for a local publication that will hit stands in their July/August 2012 edition.  The topic is about clutter and I've been stuck personally on applying this decluttering act to all areas of my life lately (in a good way!).  When we hear the word clutter we often think it applies to papers on a desk, toys on the floor, or nick knacks on a shelf.  That's really just the surface. 


On a 30-minute trip downtown to take the kids to the Zoo, I listened to one of Pastor Paula White's sermons entitled "Life on Purpose" as she speaks in depth about this topic and its many levels.  The funny thing is I've listened to this CD many times before, but this time I really heard it.  Was it that I wasn't listening in the times before or was it that there was so much mental clutter in the way that it was hard for anything to get through?

The word clutter is actually derived from an old English word meaning "clot".  When something is in a clot, it stops the flow of life and our true potential is not capable of being reached.  With all the clutter of life in our relationships, diets, environment, society, habits, attitudes, mindsets, and agendas, we often settle for mediocrity because we're so overburdened with all the noise and activity that's going on....and many times we don't even realize it! 


Paula's biggest piece of advice and encouragement is that you have to let go of the little to make room for the big, the things that are really important in your life.  "What is in your life that you're holding onto that's keeping you down and keeping you from reaching higher ground?," she asks.  Her advice, "You've got to let it go!"


When it comes to fitness, there's a TON of clutter we'll encounter.  The diet industry alone is an annual multi billion dollar producer and there's a plethora of information and opportunity out there coming at us from all angles and perspectives.  I've always said that if you try to take in too much advice, product, and information, you'll go backwards and I stand by that 110% (been there!).  The "You've got to let it go" is a simple, yet strong piece of advice to use when it comes to your health options.


I'm living by the "less is more" philosophy right now and I've recently applied it to my diet and fitness life as well.  It's not easy, but letting go of stagnant workout routines, negative people in your path, a fitness comfort zone, poor food habits, and the hope for instant results is a must if you want to reach your goals and true potential.  I encourage you to go back to basics, keep it simple, focus on what works for you, and know what you're aiming towards and why.  Take some time to clean out the clutter in your fitness life and see how "less is more" can move you closer to the body you want and a healthy, balanced lifestyle that will be around for years to come!