Spring Clearing
Time for Renewal
With sunshine and warmer temperatures finally here, we’re all slowly crawling out of hibernation mode, where, especially in Northeast Ohio, for months we’ve quietly nestled ourselves, surrounded by creature comforts, including those foods and items that help us cope with the cold, ice and snow. And, now that the birds and sunrise wake us up earlier and earlier each day, and flowers emerge from the once frozen dirt, it’s time to trim the proverbial fat and make room for our own rebirth.The renewal comes with greater instinct for some, like so many of my ambitious friends who have been running, outside, since February, while a more reluctant process for others. What’s not to love about cozying up with a warm blanket, hot chocolate and a “Law and Order” weekend marathon? For most of us, this transitional season falls somewhere in the middle: we want to make changes, but, more often than not, we’re not sure where to begin, specifically if it means that an unaccomplished goal will only set us backwards and discourage future action.
Luckily, Cleveland fosters an ideal environment for local experts to help us in our journey and, whether the objective is weight loss, confronting some questionable home possessions or simply a clearer state of mind, their wisdom can guide us towards, if nothing else, a fresher state of being.
One of the biggest news stories these days is obesity, both in adults and with children. Causes mostly include too much sedentary time behind computers, video games and televisions and consuming large portions of overly-processed food. Between infomercials, books, magazines, programs, clinics, reality shows and secret miracle drugs, an individual looking for a healthier path for himself or for his family can very easily get overwhelmed and quit before even wanting to start. According to John St. John, Doctor of Chiropractic at Holistic Visionary, “If you can only do one or two things to jump start your health this spring, then replace the bad foods (packaged, processed, chemically fortified) with good, real foods. Eat four to five servings of various in-season vegetables, such as carrots, leafy greens and cruciferous plants – asparagus, broccoli and Brussels spouts, which are all good for the liver – and several servings of fruit per day. An additional big step is to replace sweets with protein, especially in the mornings, which will fuel the body.
Kristine Pagsuyoin, M.E.D., a professional declutter coach about to launch her business Mind, Body and Space agrees. “When thinking about where you want change in your life, start with the room in your house where that change can most likely happen. If you want to drop pounds, begin in your kitchen and throw away all the items that aren’t healthy or are past their expiration date.” Additionally, to help clear the mind, get ready for the process and, to live and breathe better, both St. John and Paysuyoin strongly encourage spending time outside, going for walks and participating in other simple outdoor activity to get the blood flowing, see things in a new way and to feel a renewed sense of energy. Adds St. John, “start with thirty minutes of walking, three days a week. Cardio does wonders for the physique and the psyche.” Most importantly, if you’re part of a full household, get everyone involved – not only will there be a mutual benefit, but it also prevents enablers from pulling you back into your old routines. According to Dr. St. John, “change usually starts with the mom and, (if the child has an issue), nothing will happen unless the mom is on board. The mom has to set the example.” Concurs Pagsuyoin, “Teach your kids to let go of things and to form good habits. Be a good role model to them.”
While purging personal items may sometimes come easily, the most tricky or difficult parting usually occurs with furniture, art or artifacts inherited from dead relatives. According to Deba Gray, owner of Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers, the four “big Ds” that drive items to her business are death, debt, divorce and down sizing. “People add an emotional reverence to these things. It’s misplaced grief and that grief, combined with greed, become the gas and fire (to an already tough situation). Often, the items aren’t even being celebrated.”
This brings up the question, “If I own dishes that my great-aunt gifted me as a college graduation present, and she’s been gone for thirty years, are these dishes holy?” Pagsuyoin wisely states, “If you’re honoring these items in a way that shows respect and use, then yes, keep them. But if you think someone else would properly tend to them in a way that the deceased relative would appreciate, then perhaps it’s time to let go and move on.” Gray agrees. “Confronting these items is like scratching a wound. I see children too afraid to let go of their parents’ possessions, thinking they’re worth a lot of money. They may be. They may be worth nothing. But the item itself will often tear a family apart.” She suggests that when families think they no longer have a personal connection with the piece, to call a legitimate auction house to have the item appraised. She also cautions that, since the auction market is unregulated and not an exact science, “no one should ever be charged for such an appraisal.”
Once there’s a spark and inspiration, whether you live in a studio apartment or a three-bedroom house, you may finally feel compelled to make the much needed shifts in your physical space. The four seasons provide a nice, consistent life rhythm and spring is the perfect time to view your home from a new perspective. Serena Harragin, Gray’s partner, advises “With the longer days, use the extended sunlight to really walk your home and see what still fits and what doesn’t. And, if there’s been a winter death in the family, now’s the time (to do this).” The mere act of opening your windows can open your mind and your heart to change.
Still experiencing the hesitation of letting go? Then think about the less fortunate, the people for whom life has dealt a difficult blow. If you’ve had an opportunity to really go through your storage facility, the attic, the garage, the basement, the rooms of kids or parents that are no longer around and had a professional auction appraiser provide fair market value, it may make sense to donate. The City Mission of Cleveland, which just celebrated its 100 year anniversary, takes gently used household necessities and clothes. Additionally, the Mission, with its clients allowed to stay, learn, grow and then reinstate themselves back into society within 180 days, is in desperate need of toiletries. If you have a secret stash of hotel soaps and shampoos, there’s tremendous and genuine demand for people whose dignity depends on these little bottles, otherwise colleting dust, waiting to “someday” be used. Finally, for all the outdated electronics in your home or business, such as computers, printers or back-up drivers, there’s RET3 Job Corp, which will either refurbish the product, reuse a part or recycle the material, and, also, provide a government regulated data cleanse, before sending a working, updated tool as part of its goal of “placing 50,000 computers over the next 5 years in Northeast Ohio’s schools.” In addition to helping others, when you donate, make sure to itemize everything and ask for a receipt, then thank yourself during tax time. The benefit is significant and ongoing.Regardless of the cleansing goal, the key is start small and stay consistent. Pagsuyoin stresses that clutter is a symptom of trying to fill something that otherwise feels empty. “It could be loneliness, a fear of the future or even a sense of guilt and distrust that the Universe will provide.” Thus, the letting go becomes “a manifestation of what’s going away.” She advises that when tackling a declutter project, “feel your way to where you need to start and then break it down into its simplest act.” For example, if health is the focus, “go through your medicine cabinet and dispose of all expired, old and unused medication. If you want to resolve issues in your bedroom, look under your bed: if you’re sleeping on top of junk, you’re sleeping in history. If sorting through a closet seems too daunting, then start with a shelf or one drawer. And, as you achieve each small goal, aim for the next one. ” Adds St. John, “It takes six to nine months of continuous adjustments in your diet for healthy eating to become a habit. Each week, add no more than one or two changes and build on those, so that your body adjusts accordingly. Do it on a gradient, keep a food log and work with a licensed practitioner, to help you in your process.”
The result of all this work will reveal itself in various ways. When you finally let go of a family heirloom, you may increase your bank account or pay off some bills. When you eat better food, according to St. John, you will “feel increased energy, be in better shape, sleep better and have a sense of physical stability and health.” No matter what you decide to do, know this: there’s no life in the past. Now is your perfect opportunity to live in the moment, do good for yourself and others while making room for all that’s new. Because, at the end of the day, and in the beginning of spring, by letting go, you’re making room for abundance.
Alex Sukhoy, a globally-networked creative and business professional with nearly 20 years of corporate management experience, is founder and manager of http://MBAhobo.com, a career consulting firm, and Creative Cadence LLC, a content and business development company. Alex teaches screenwriting and preproduction at Tri-C and in 2006, she was profiled in BusinessWeek.com. Since first moving to Cleveland in 2003, she’s made this city her home, and even wrote a song and a screenplay about it. Her novella, Chatroom to Bedroom: Chicago, is currently available on Amazon.com.