I’m Not a Hoarder!

by Michael S. Tyrrell

December 15, 2020

Happy Tuesday Wholetonians!

With more time being spent at home during this pandemic, so many people have begun cleaning out their closets, garages and basements. All of a sudden, they’ve found themselves face to face with clutter that maybe they didn’t notice much while working or going to school outside of their homes. But now, there it is, in their face, begging to be dealt with. 

For others, the clutter didn’t start until they were forced to stay home. The boredom and ease to do online shopping and have anything they could possibly want delivered to their doorstep, proved too much of a temptation to purchase items that maybe they would not have bought during “normal” times. 

And there they sit.

Clutter drains you of energy and focus. When there’s stuff everywhere, it can be unnerving and distracting. 

This has caused a phenomenon that one writer from The Washington Post referred to as “The Great Decluttering of 2020.” In the article, the author writes that as people began adjusting to work and study from home, they began feeling and rethinking their living spaces. They were now tackling those backburner projects like going through their closets to purge them of items they haven’t worn or used in years.

Those boxes of old toys, games and clothes, broken tv’s, and old files don’t make a pleasant background for the Zoom meetings people now had to participate in.

Charities like the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores had to halt donations at times because they were taking on more than they could handle. 

My sister-in-law told me a funny story about how she had started watching a TV show called “Hoarders.” Her daughter, my little niece, began watching it with her at times and became fascinated by it. Seeing other people’s clutter impacted her so much that this little 5-year-old started walking around the house picking up her toys and cleaning up wherever she could while proclaiming, “I’m cleaning up, Mommy; I’m not a hoarder!” 

But our homes are not the only places where we tend to accumulate junk.

It’s good that we also take inventory of our internal storage…our thoughts. 

What beliefs, thoughts and ideas are you holding on to that do not serve you?

Fear and negativity are cluttering thoughts that can drain you of your energy. They zap you of your strength, hope and even your productivity.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think on these things.”  – Philippians 4:8 

It may be time to purge and declutter your thoughts. Send the negativity to the junk pile, while focusing on and keeping thoughts that are positive and will build you up as well as those around you.

Be Whole,
Michael S. Tyrrell

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