A Ritual of Release
Clean Out Your Word Closet ... Because Creativity Doesn't Thrive on Infinite Choice
I once heard that creativity does not thrive on infinite choice. I’ve found this to be true in my own life. When I let go of the mental or physical stuff I’ve been clinging to, I discover I’ve opened more than a few portals to something new. So … September’s writing ritual has us cleaning out our word closets.
Like autumn leaves, we too can let go.
During my post-divorce, pre-remarriage years, I learned the value of streamlined living. While I let my two kids manage the world of their bedrooms, the rest of our small house was mine to curate. I kept things simple: a bookshelf for books, a chair, a sofa, a kitchen table, and a CD player and CDs (this was the early 2000s). Living the uncluttered life meant my free time—when I wasn’t working as an acquisitions editor or chauffeuring kids around—was spent reading, journaling, and listening to music.
After remarrying and having a third child, I noticed that the detritus of life quickly began to accumulate, even when my husband and I had once both let our ex-spouses keep the bulk of our prior marital accumulations and thus, merged two fairly streamlined homes. It’s just plain harder to cull through accumulations when they’re commingled. Still, my clothing is one area where I retain complete control.
A few weeks ago, I emptied my closet and considered each piece of clothing—not thinking about what sparked joy, but about what fit well and favored a classic look. I kept about 25% of my clothes and donated the rest. Turns out, limiting my clothing options freed up more than my closet, it freed up my soul. I’m dressing more creatively again.
The other place I have complete control is on my laptop.
I bought my first MacBook in 2008. I began writing in 2009. Since then, I’ve traded up my MacBook a few times. With each update, I’ve brought ALL of my old Word files from one computer to the next. It’s like moving houses without taking the time to pare down your belongings first.
Throughout the month of October, as trees shed their leaves here in Minnesota (a state located in the “far north” of the United States), I am going to mindfully delete (at least) one Word file or document a day. If you’d like to join me, please email (fettigparton at gmail) or drop a comment below to let me know you’re doing some file releasing too!
How is this a ritual? Any practice done with intention and focus can become a ritual. Cleaning my closet was a ritual.
To accentuate the ritual feel, you can light a candle each day before you search for the file you’re going to release that day.
Then, invite your inner wisdom with these words:
Show me what file(s) is/are ready to be released today.
As you delete the file(s) say:
Thank you for fulfilling your purpose. I give you back to the universe.
Finally, blow out the candle; perhaps make a short meditation of watching the smoke disperse, your old files going with it.
When October ends with All Hallow’s Eve, it’s my hope we’ll feel renewed connection with our creative work and be energetically orientated to the path ahead.
I’ve recorded myself reading this month’s ritual in order to provide greater accessibility. Please let me know if there are other ways I can make these posts more accessible.
Love this…seeing a book of rituals for writers.