Declutter Your Physical Body

Avery Cundill  
Declutter your body, yes, please. The Declutter Queen with Avery Cundill. Today we're talking about decluttering the physical body, and you know we're getting close to September. I don't know how that happened, and we're thinking about bringing good habits into the fall, and I don't know why. I know January tends to be the new intentions or New Year's resolutions, but I always find that September is a really good time just to take stock. So this episode might be coming out at a really good time. So when we think about decluttering our bodies might sound a bit abstract at first, but think about it. Your body carries not just physical stuff, but also emotional baggage, stress, habits that no longer serve you, and things you might be holding onto without even realizing it. So today, I really want to dive into exploring ways to clear out that clutter and make room for more energy, health, and peace in your life. So let me back up a bit. What does it mean to declutter your body? Decluttering your body may mean different things for different people, but generally it includes some or all of the following. So reducing toxins, food, environment, habits. These can be a little toxic for the body at times, letting go of stress and tension, which is a huge one. And in today's world, we're finding people are really amped up with stress and tension for all kinds of reasons. So that's a big one. Simplifying routines around movement, nourishment, rest, and also creating space for your body to thrive. And I always want you to remember, you know, I'm sometimes on the the internet and I see quick fix or one week till a healthy you, and that's impossible. So remember, this is not a quick fix. It's also not about perfection, but it's about creating mindful choices and self-care that help to add up. So, how can we start this process of decluttering the body? One way to start is to simplify what you consume. So, let's think of food, for example. Consuming tends to link with food. So with food, maybe trying to focus on whole foods rather than the processed. And what's a whole food? Something without a million ingredients on it. So it could be anything, but think about that ingredient list. Getting rid of that processed mindset and going for more whole, real foods. Another thing we can do can be to reduce excess sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and that doesn't mean not having those. It means reducing, and also listen to your body's cues for hunger. So sometimes when we're actually thirsty, maybe even dehydrated, our body thinks it's hungry. Next time you feel hunger, drink a glass of water. And by the way, then you'll be doing another declutter for your body because water, water, water. We hear about this all the time, but you got to drink your water. Now, moving on in this consuming category, it's not always what you eat. It's also related to the products we use. So you may want to declutter or simplify your personal care routine. Use fewer, cleaner products on your skin and hair, and also, perhaps it goes without saying. Avoid those harsh chemicals in our laundry, in our creams, in our shower. Try to find things that are going to really benefit the body, not work against it. And last but not least, environmental toxins. And again, this isn't a toxin show. This isn't a show about the clean environment, but you may want to try to keep your environment as toxic-free as possible, reducing exposure to pollutants using air purifiers or more natural cleaning products, natural laundry stuff, natural dish detergents. And of course, I touched on this, but stay hydrated, and also make sure you're getting fresh air regularly. So I want you to remember that movement and rest are very, very important decluttering tools for the body. Movement is really important, and remember, there's so many ways we can move our body. You don't have to go for an hour jog, but you can do things that bring you joy. You can go for a walk, maybe before dinner or after dinner. Yoga, dancing, Zumba, Pilates. There's there's a million. I see them all the time. There's so many ways to move. Just move. Remember, it's about freedom for your body, cleansing the body, decluttering your body, not punishing yourself.

Avery Cundill  
And then on the flip side of movement, we have rest, which is equally important. I always think that rest is underrated, but rest is crucial. It's really important to prioritize quality sleep as well as downtime, and rest is not always sleep. You can have restful moments during the day with mindfulness, maybe meditation, maybe just sitting down or lying down on the couch. These moments help to release tension that we hold in the body. Five minutes a day. You don't need much more, but keep that rest in mind. We always think we got to always be doing something, and that's a cluttery, fast road to illness and fatigue. So, what about emotional clutter? And I can talk a long time about that, but it's really important to let go of emotional and mental clutter. Holding on to things that are cluttering our mind leads to stress, and this kind of stress just doesn't serve us well. So, some ways we can do this is to practice breathing exercises. Just, just breathing. It doesn't have to be fancy. Inhale, exhale. If you do that like three or four times every hour, you would be surprised at what happens to your body. Another thing you can do, if you're inclined this way, you can help release emotional weight through journaling. It's not my favorite, but I know some people like it. And also another thing you can do: gentle movement, like some stretching, or my favorite is yoga, and it does help your body to relax. And I always tell people, you don't have to do an hour, you don't have to be on this marathon. You can do one pose; the benefits are there. So I want you to remember that decluttering your body-it's a journey. It's not a one-time event. Honoring yourself and listening deeply make space for yourself, and this will really help. It's these little decluttering things that you do for your physical and emotional welfare that can really go a long way.

Matt Cundill  
And now, the queen responds to your silly little questions. What if I regret getting rid of something?

Avery Cundill  
Ah, regret. So regret is normal, but usually temporary. And some strategies that I can provide you to reduce regret. Number one, store items in a maybe box for 30 days, maybe, or you set the amount of time before you donate. If you forget what's in that box, you are ready to let it go. Number two, take photos before discarding items, that way you still have the visual but not the clutter. Number three, remember the purpose. What is this item doing for me? Is it serving a role in my life? Am I using it? Letting go doesn't erase the memory of the item. It just helps you to have a cleaner slate. Number four, focus on what you gain. So every time we get rid of something, we gain space, clarity, and calm. Trust me. At the end of this process, I find that most people regret keeping things, not letting them go.

Matt Cundill  
How do I declutter when I have ADHD, anxiety, or decision fatigue?

Avery Cundill  
Ah, the old ADHD, anxiety, decision fatigue, all or some. Decluttering can be especially challenging when focus or emotional energy is limited. So, some helpful methods, and again, these might sound familiar, but they're tried and true. Work in very short bursts, five to 10 minutes. Use external structures like checklists, timers, or even guided videos can be helpful. An idea for the declutter queen, perhaps. Keep decisions binary. Keep or not keep instead of overthinking the process. Clear stations, so one area for trash, one area for donations, one area for laundry, etc. And also avoid perfectionism. Getting it done is better than getting it done perfectly. You can come back to stuff. Break tasks into the tiny, obvious steps, and you'll have more success. I promise.

Mary Anne Ivison  
Thanks for listening to the Declutter Queen with Avery Cundill. For more decluttering tips and tricks, go to thedeclutterqueen.ca. Produced and distributed by the Sound Off Media Company.