Letting Go: The Pathway to New Possibilities
The phrase “letting go” took on a whole new meaning when Ice Queen, Elsa, belted out the tune in the 2013 Disney animated hit, Frozen. You probably loved it the first billion times you heard it but drew the line when you heard the one billion and one rendition, right? The concept of letting go isn’t new. Why is decluttering such an important concept? To use an African proverb, “a broken clay pot or plate does not become whole again.”
The late great Nigerian author Chinua Achebe once said that proverbs are “ … the palm oil with which words are swallowed.” Translation? They make things go down smoother. A lot of things you hold on to have some kind of sentimental value. The proverb about the broken clay pot reminds us that coming to terms with the reality of the true state of things we hold on to creates a pathway for inner peace and opens the door for more.
Here are five movies and books that demonstrate how to and the importance of letting go, decluttering and opening your life to new possibilities.
Movies/Shows
Tidying Up With Marie Kondo : Starring Marie Kondo, you can watch this series on Netflix and experience how the renowned expert helps people declutter.
The Minimalist: Less Is Now: Longtime friends, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus have built a movement of the minimalist lifestyle which they share in this Netflix series.
Confessions of A Shopaholic: This rom-com approaches the subject of declutter with the fashion industry at its center, highlighting the consequences of indulging in a habit that’s difficult to maintain.
Bea Organized: Change the way you think by transforming your space. This is the crux of the message of this series starring Beatrice Copeland on Amazon Prime
Clean House: In ten seasons, this series hosted by Niecy Nash and later Tempestt Bledsoe, took us on an intervention into the lives of families that have been taken over by stuff. You can watch it on Sling TV or YouTube with a paid subscription.
Books
Chasing Slow: Journey Off the Beaten Path by Erin Loechne: Follow Erin’s journey to refresh your perspective by focusing on what matters most.
Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind and Soul by Ruth Soulkup: In this book, Ruth encourages you to reclaim your life and times from all the stuff that weighs it down.
Let it Go: Downsizing Your Way To a Richer, Happier Life by Peter Walsh: In this book, you learn from Peter how to deal with the overwhelming emotions that come with deciding which mementos and heirlooms to keep and which to let go.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: If you watch the series aforementioned, you get the gist. However, this book delves much deeper into the intention behind your acquiring decisions.
The More of Less by Joshua Becker: This is an impactful, helpful guide for embarking on life changes.
Unoma Nwankwor is a romance novelist passionate about reading, writing, and changing the African narrative through entertainment. She enjoys plantains, pepperoni and a mean java.
