Do you feel disconnected, confused, alone and disorganized? Do you feel unloved,afraid and unappreciated? Now is the time to get in touch with your best self and with your family. Get rid of the stuff that makes you feel disorganized, disturbed or disconnected. Take a one week challenge to strip down of all that clutters your life and get the connection back. Rules to clearing the clutter and reclaiming your life:
No communication through cell phones, Skype or any other electronic way for the duration of your challenge
- No watching Television, or use of the computer, iPods or any other electronic gadgets.
- Sit down for meals together with your family
- Tell at least one member of your family how much you appreciate and love them.
- Do an activity as a family together
- Set aside time to do all your laundry and clean out the garage.
Sorting out the mess in your house together can elevate the tension and stress that exists. You also get to spend quality time together as a family. Preparing healthy meals and sitting down to eat together enables your family to reconnect as well.
People mistakenly think that feeling their time with emails, Facebook, Twitter and texting is connecting yet it is completely the opposite. I put myself in this category as well. Lately, I have found myself always texting, “Facebooking” and “tweetering” a lot and I challenged myself to follow the rules of de-cluttering and reconnecting with my family. We have to strip ourselves of the superficial in order to get back in touch with our inner selves and our families. In the end you will realize how much simpler and beautiful life can be. You will be able to communicate that much easier with your spouse and your children because you will be present and aware of their feelings and fears.
Break down the walls of fear, resentment and guilt that exist because that is really what causes the disconnection and all the cluttered stuff are just symptoms of the problem. The clutter reflects all that is truly going on inside of us. Once the busy body behavior gets slowed down, your family will feel more nourished not only physically but spiritually and mentally as well. By shifting the focus away from tv, phones, and all the electronics gadgets, you get more honest and more aware of your surroundings and you discover your best self.
As a couple, plan at least one date night once a month. This is better than one week vacation at the end of the year because it keeps you reconnected.
As a family plan a road trip together to stay connected and remember to adhere to the already established rules. No cellphones or other electronic gadgets. Carry books, paper, puzzles and crayons to color for the young ones instead. If funds are an issue, and they always are for most of us, then take an afternoon off at the park or go visit the arboretum. Learn to be where you are, spend time together, eat healthy and you will begin to transform your life for the better.
