Clearing the Clutter After a Break-Up

Posted by on April 13, 2011

I was recently taking out the trash in the back of my house in the alley when I noticed a huge pile of clothes that had been dumped. I was abhorred at why someone would do this. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the clothes were actually really nice men’s clothes. And I realized that someone had dumped their ex-boyfriends clothes – presumably down the street behind my house to where he couldn’t find them.

It had all the signs of an ugly break-up.

Breaking up can be one of the most heart-wrenching and difficult times in our life. Whether it is a 20-year marriage or a first love, there is no easy way to go through a break-up. Even if you didn’t live together, there is inevitably a co-mingling of each other’s possessions. Not to mention those items given to one another out of love.

Splitting up – in the heart and in the home – is emotionally exhausting. Each item holds a vast amount of energy and emotional triggers. On the one hand, we want to throw those items in the dumpster (preferably not behind my house) and in the next moment we want to curl up with them in bed. We’ve all experienced the power and the energy of those left-behind items of an ex.

At some point –whether out of rage or forgiveness – we get to the point of letting the items go.

Yes, even the items given to us out of love.

Getting rid of those items – today, tomorrow, or next year – can be one of the most liberating moments. You are letting go the past and declaring that you are ready to move forward. For me, burning photos in a burning ceremony was a powerfully symbolic experience that released me from past relationships.

Similarly, if you are trying to attract a relationship, check to see if you are hanging on to any items from a past relationship. A necklace charm or sweet note may not seem like a big deal, but it is huge.

After you have purged those items from an ex, it is equally important to space clear your home.

The left-over emotional energy from the break-up will still be lingering in your space, not to mention the energy for the ex. In order to move forward, it is important to rid your home of those energies and start back on a clean slate. Sage smudging is a common method. You can also try Earth Home’s Smudge Spray that is a smokeless smudge spray. Just a few sprays around your home will clear the energy.

After a space clearing, invoke your intention in the new space. And welcome your new life in!