Every Tuesday, I have a “Little Chat with Shannon” live stream in the 52 Cues Community. This topic was on my mind recently.

Uncluttering and Rediscovery

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to share a personal experience that I think many of us can relate to: the process of uncluttering and rediscovering ourselves during life's transitions. Why am I saying “uncluttering” instead of “decluttering?” To me, “decluttering” is a verb that is very much in the present tense. And when I’m finished decluttering, it just all comes back again!

But “uncluttered” is a state of being, a place of calm and rest in our physical surroundings and in our minds. So I’m not doing a short-term purge, “decluttering.” No, I’m taking a good long look at what gets to stay in my new uncluttered state of being. I am creating my uncluttered space

Over the past three years, I've gone through a lot, from two major career changes to losing a dream job. Despite these challenges, I've managed to find success in my graphic design work, which has been great—but also unexpected. This was never a part of my plan or vocational identity. So I've recently found myself asking, "Who am I, again? And what exactly am I doing with my life?" If you've ever felt this way, know that you're not alone - I'm going through it too.

To better understand my journey and find clarity, I decided to clean out my office. I’m going through the process, and today I came across a few sets of keys—9 total—which serve as a perfect metaphor for my current state of mind. Each key represents our relationship to different points in our lives. And sorting the keys helped me relate to these different life phases. While I was uncluttering, I was also rediscovering myself.

1. The first set of three keys is brand new and has never been used. There are two matching keys on a Remax Real Estate key chain, and a third on a small wire keyring—and I have no idea what any of them are for. The only time we’ve ever used Remax was buying our first home in 2001. So, seeing that it’s 22 years later, we haven’t lived in that city for 11 years, AND I don’t remember what they would have been for in the old house, I came to the conclusion that I don't need them anymore. I tossed them. This represents the need to release things that are no longer serving us and focus on moving forward.

2. The next two keys are identical, not on a keychain, and have never been used. Again, I have no idea what they're for—my husband thinks they belong to a padlock that has long since been lost or tossed. I guess it’s possible they might go to something in our house, but we’ve lived here for 6 or 7 years, and I haven’t needed them yet. But they sit on the counter and remind me that I don’t know what they’re for, and that’s just a waste of energy and brain space. Out they go! This symbolizes the importance of letting go of uncertainties and worries that can hinder our creativity and growth.

3. The third set of keys is unused, but two of them are labelled “gate.” I’m pretty certain these are for the gates on our back fence. The other one is probably for our front door, but the first thing we did was remove the lock and install a keypad. Even still, my current house is still part of my life, so it makes sense to keep them. I decided to find a home for them rather than leaving them in the abandoned key pile. Otherwise, they are just more mental clutter.

4. Lastly, the final key is well worn. It has the number 25 engraved on it, and has many scratches and dings. I know this key well, and I know exactly what it’s for. It’s the key to our first house in Memphis. The time we spent and relationships we formed there are irreplaceable. This key represents the memories and experiences that are worth keeping and cherishing. I’m keeping this one.

As I continue to unclutter my office, I've realized that it's essential (and difficult) to distinguish between the things that are worth holding onto and those that should be let go. Whether it's physical items or phases of our lives, this process can be challenging. And it's a necessary step toward personal growth and rediscovery.

So, if you're going through a similar journey, remember that you're not alone. Embrace the process and rediscover yourself along the way.

Happy uncluttering!

This is what I’m currently reading:

“It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work”

CLICK HERE