One of my biggest takeaways from 2025 is the practice of decluttering. If Pinterest posts are indicators, this is a practice that many of us pursue, particularly as we start a new year. We desire a start fresh, to have a clean slate. We want to unload all of the stuff that is distracting us, holding us back or keeping us from living our best lives. I’m all for it. At times, the clutter in my home is a point of stress and I become very passionate in my efforts to be rid of it.
In the spring of 2025, someone said something to me concerning my clutter that blessed my whole soul.
“You have to develop the art of being a constant declutterer of your anxiety; a constant declutterer of your worry; a constant declutterer of your concerns.” Chrystal Evans Hurst
Blessed. My. Whole. Soul.
Why was this a blessing? Because I was in what felt like the fight of my life. I was fighting for my mind and my heart. Some things in my world did not make sense. I was fighting for my peace in a situation that felt beyond my ability to repair. The weight was distracting, stressful and in spite of my passionate efforts to be rid of it, I felt that the situation was keeping me from living my best life.
These words about decluttering reminded me that I needed to throw some things out. I was reminded that I need to cast my cares. I needed to learn how to do this frequently and intentionally. I needed to understand that
“Casting your cares is you choosing to not own it.”
“ Casting means you get it off of you.”
Choosing to no longer own things, thoughts and situations means that I can breathe. I can breathe and release some of the stress, the things that weigh me down. So what do I do? How do I declutter?
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
I tell God all of the ugly. I tell him how annoyed, frustrated and hurt I am. I tell him what I don’t understand. I give it to God. I ask him to take it. I believe that he does. I believe that he is stronger than those situations. I ask for strength to really believe and walk like I believe. Is it a magic spell to poof everything away? No, but this practice of decluttering helped me live life in 2025 with an emotionally lighter load and cleared mind. For that, I am thankful.
Many thanks to Chrystal Evans Hurst. You can listen to her decluttering talk here. https://youtu.be/tM4IupSNrXc?si=NCf3leyqzqCpnwmv
