Clearing out…

Welcome March!

These early spring weeks are some of my favorite. They are days filled with anticipation of spring, summer, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, and enjoying the coolness of water. The bushes, trees, and grass are all still brown and seemingly dead. It has always amazed me how something that appears to be so dead and gone will once again spring to life with a little bit of sun, warm days, and rain showers.

As I plan and anticipate a weekend of yard work with my partner, I am reminded of a parallel process that occurs within myself and others I am sure. The ridding of the parts of me that are “dead” and no longer serving me. The cleaning out of leaves, weeds, and the occasional bush that did not make it through the winter. Making space for new growth, new bushes, new flowers, and new mulch. Creating a space that is filled with green leaves and colorful flowers that stand out so brilliantly against the dark mulch. A space where I can just be that brings contentment, joy, and gratitude to my soul.

My love for plants and flowers stems from my childhood of watching my grandmother and mother plant, prune, and harvest flowers from their own gardens and landscapes. I can just see the azalea bushes flourishing in my grandmother’s South Carolina back yard. They were hues of bright pink and red. The daffodils poking through the ground and bringing bright yellow flowers to life remind me of the stories my grandmother had on repeat. The beauty of fresh cut flowers on the kitchen table and the felt sense of love and family in the home. There is just something about bringing parts into my life that remind me of those who nurtured and watched me grow all those years. It seems to bind and ground me to my roots.

What is in your life that you feel needs to be ‘cleared out?’

What is it that you feel keeps you stuck or stagnant, preventing your new growth from coming to life?

What is that holds you back from pursuing what you feel is right?

Often, these are things that are tied to strong emotions. Fear. Anxiety. Panic. Overwhelm. Sadness. Loneliness. and sometimes even joy and contentment.

‘Clearing out’ will often entail embracing some uncomfortable emotions and that does not mean it is wrong. Growth is often uncomfortable, and even painful, and remaining held back and stagnant can be even more so.

For me, the ‘clearing out’ in this season consists of lots of different things across my life. Some relationships, some expectations of myself and my work, some past beliefs and resentment held around my spirituality, and so much more.

When deciding what must be let go of in order to produce more of what is meant to be, I find it helpful to identify what you value most in your life today. Is it relationships…finances…career…spirituality…nature…creativity…connection…family…parenting? Take an inventory of your top 10, 5, 3 values in your life and then identify the parts of your life that are no longer aligned with those values. Maybe those are the parts that are ready to be ‘cleared out?’

Not forgotten or disregarded. Just simply no longer prioritized or needed.

Maybe identifying the parts of your life that you want to nourish and grow helps you prioritize your time and energy. Maybe it is more time alone. or more time with friends and family. Maybe it is prioritizing your mental health over other distractions in life. Maybe it is planning to buy your first or next home or the renovations you have always wanted. Maybe it is traveling more and seeing the beauties of this world. The possibilities are endless. What are the parts of your life that you wish would produce new growth and bloom this year?

While I spend time planting new bushes and shrubs, begrudging the shovels of mulch that I carry through the yard, and bickering back and forth with my partner, I hope to take time to slow down and appreciate this literal and metaphorical ‘clearing out.’ The setting up of space to spend more time being with with family and friends, grilling, listening to music, watching my dogs play, and enjoying the warmth of the sun.

With love,

Chelsea

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The waiting