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<description>&lt;p&gt;Spring has a way of making us want to throw open the windows, clear out the junk drawer, and scrub every surface until it gleams. There’s something about the longer days and lighter evenings that stirs up the urge for a fresh start. But while we’re wiping down shelves and hauling out bags of donations, how often do we think about the clutter we can’t see?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I’m talking about the emotional and mental mess, the overwhelm, the overcommitting, the perfectionism that quietly weighs us down. The things we carry around in our heads and hearts long after they’ve outlived their purpose. So today, let’s talk about a different kind of spring cleaning the kind that makes space in your soul.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and intention. Subscribe to receive simple musings directly in your inbox.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Letting Go of Mental Clutter&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We all know what it feels like to walk into a room that’s messy and chaotic. Your eyes don’t know where to land, your mind feels scattered, and it’s hard to focus. Now, imagine that same disarray but inside your head.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mental clutter shows up in so many ways:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Overwhelm&lt;/strong&gt; from trying to juggle too many responsibilities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Overcommitting&lt;/strong&gt; because you’re afraid of letting people down.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Perfectionism&lt;/strong&gt; keeping you stuck, convincing you that if it’s not flawless, it’s not worth doing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sound familiar? Me too.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For a long time, I was the queen of overcommitting. I’d agree to things before checking my calendar, thinking I could somehow squeeze in one more thing. I’d say yes when my whole being was begging for a no. And perfectionism? She was my unwanted sidekick. I’d rewrite emails three times before sending them. I’d overthink captions to the point of deleting them. It was exhausting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But here’s what I’ve learned: you can’t create a slow and simple life if your mind is constantly racing. You can’t feel at ease if your thoughts are tangled up in ‘shoulds’ and ‘not enoughs’.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Clear the Mental Clutter:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Simplify your inputs:&lt;/strong&gt; Cut back on the noise. Mute accounts that leave you feeling inadequate. Reduce notifications. Give yourself permission to answer messages when you have capacity, not instantly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Set gentle boundaries:&lt;/strong&gt; Protect your peace by saying no, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s okay to turn down a request or step back from a commitment if it’s stretching you too thin.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Ditch perfectionism:&lt;/strong&gt; Done is better than perfect. Let good enough be enough. You’re allowed to send the email, share the post, or finish the project without polishing it to oblivion.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;I set up a &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Buy Me a Coffee&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; as a simple and meaningful way for those who enjoy my work to support the abundance of free content I create. From my &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;podcast, newsletters, and Instagram posts&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; to the thoughtful resources I share, so much of what I do is fueled by a love for slow, simple, and seasonal living.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;If my content has ever &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;inspired, encouraged, or supported&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; you on your journey, and you’d like to give back in a small way, buying me a coffee is a beautiful way to do so and starts at £1. Every contribution helps me continue sharing &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;free content&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; while also supporting the time, energy, and love that goes into creating it.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Your support, whether through a coffee or simply by engaging with my content, means the world to me. Thank you for being part of this slow and intentional space!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Refreshing Routines &amp; Creating Space for Rest&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Spring is nature’s gentle nudge to refresh, to shed what feels heavy and make room for lightness. And that doesn’t just mean deep-cleaning your kitchen cupboards. It also means taking a good look at your daily rhythms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I used to have this habit of clinging to routines that no longer worked for me. Even when they felt clunky and draining, I’d stick with them out of habit. But spring is a beautiful reminder that it’s okay to let your routines evolve with the season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ask yourself:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Are your current rhythms fuelling or draining you?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Do you need more slowness in your mornings or more stillness in your evenings?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Could you loosen the grip on routines that feel too rigid?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For me, refreshing my routine in spring looks like:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Swapping the coffee on the sofa mornings for coffee in the garden mornings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Slowing down my evenings by reading with soft lighting instead of scrolling my phone.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* Leaving white space in my calendar just for the sake of it—no tasks, no plans, just room to breathe.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Create Space for Rest:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Prioritise white space:&lt;/strong&gt; You don’t have to fill every hour. Leaving space in your schedule allows room for spontaneity, creativity, and genuine rest.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Build transition moments:&lt;/strong&gt; Add tiny moments of pause between activities. A short walk after work, a tea break before tackling the next task…it all counts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;* &lt;strong&gt;Redefine productivity:&lt;/strong&gt; Rest doesn’t need to be earned. It’s not a reward for getting everything done, it’s the fuel that makes everything else sustainable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your Soulful Spring Cleaning Prompt:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re feeling ready to do some internal spring cleaning, here’s a gentle journaling prompt to sit with:&lt;em&gt;“What am I holding onto that feels heavy, and what would it feel like to set it down?”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let yourself write freely. Don’t overthink it. Let the words flow onto the page without judgement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And if you find that you’re carrying more than you realised, be gentle with yourself. Spring cleaning for the soul is not about fixing, it’s about lightening. It’s about making just a little more space for the things that breathe life into you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and intention. Subscribe to receive simple musings directly in your inbox.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Give Yourself Permission to Let Go&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, as you dust off your shelves and scrub your floors this spring, I hope you’ll also make time to dust off your soul. To clear out the self-imposed pressure, the perfectionism, and the emotional clutter that no longer fits.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because you deserve to feel lighter. You deserve to breathe easier. You deserve a spring that feels spacious, not just in your home, but in your heart.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Let me know: what are you letting go of this spring? Share your reflections with me over on Instagram or in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’re releasing and making space for.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit &lt;a href="https://theslowlivingcollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&amp;#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2"&gt;theslowlivingcollective.substack.com/subscribe&lt;/a&gt;</description>

The Slow Living Collective

Amy Pigott

What would it feel like to create more space for rest this Spring?

MAR 24, 202542 MIN
The Slow Living Collective

What would it feel like to create more space for rest this Spring?

MAR 24, 202542 MIN

Description

<p>Spring has a way of making us want to throw open the windows, clear out the junk drawer, and scrub every surface until it gleams. There’s something about the longer days and lighter evenings that stirs up the urge for a fresh start. But while we’re wiping down shelves and hauling out bags of donations, how often do we think about the clutter we can’t see?</p><p>I’m talking about the emotional and mental mess, the overwhelm, the overcommitting, the perfectionism that quietly weighs us down. The things we carry around in our heads and hearts long after they’ve outlived their purpose. So today, let’s talk about a different kind of spring cleaning the kind that makes space in your soul.</p><p><p>Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and intention. Subscribe to receive simple musings directly in your inbox.</p></p><p><strong>Letting Go of Mental Clutter</strong></p><p>We all know what it feels like to walk into a room that’s messy and chaotic. Your eyes don’t know where to land, your mind feels scattered, and it’s hard to focus. Now, imagine that same disarray but inside your head.</p><p><strong>Mental clutter shows up in so many ways:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Overwhelm</strong> from trying to juggle too many responsibilities.</p><p>* <strong>Overcommitting</strong> because you’re afraid of letting people down.</p><p>* <strong>Perfectionism</strong> keeping you stuck, convincing you that if it’s not flawless, it’s not worth doing.</p><p>Sound familiar? Me too.</p><p>For a long time, I was the queen of overcommitting. I’d agree to things before checking my calendar, thinking I could somehow squeeze in one more thing. I’d say yes when my whole being was begging for a no. And perfectionism? She was my unwanted sidekick. I’d rewrite emails three times before sending them. I’d overthink captions to the point of deleting them. It was exhausting.</p><p>But here’s what I’ve learned: you can’t create a slow and simple life if your mind is constantly racing. You can’t feel at ease if your thoughts are tangled up in ‘shoulds’ and ‘not enoughs’.</p><p><strong>How to Clear the Mental Clutter:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Simplify your inputs:</strong> Cut back on the noise. Mute accounts that leave you feeling inadequate. Reduce notifications. Give yourself permission to answer messages when you have capacity, not instantly.</p><p>* <strong>Set gentle boundaries:</strong> Protect your peace by saying no, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s okay to turn down a request or step back from a commitment if it’s stretching you too thin.</p><p>* <strong>Ditch perfectionism:</strong> Done is better than perfect. Let good enough be enough. You’re allowed to send the email, share the post, or finish the project without polishing it to oblivion.</p><p><em>I set up a </em><strong><em>Buy Me a Coffee</em></strong><em> as a simple and meaningful way for those who enjoy my work to support the abundance of free content I create. From my </em><strong><em>podcast, newsletters, and Instagram posts</em></strong><em> to the thoughtful resources I share, so much of what I do is fueled by a love for slow, simple, and seasonal living.</em></p><p><em>If my content has ever </em><strong><em>inspired, encouraged, or supported</em></strong><em> you on your journey, and you’d like to give back in a small way, buying me a coffee is a beautiful way to do so and starts at £1. Every contribution helps me continue sharing </em><strong><em>free content</em></strong><em> while also supporting the time, energy, and love that goes into creating it.</em></p><p><em>Your support, whether through a coffee or simply by engaging with my content, means the world to me. Thank you for being part of this slow and intentional space!</em></p><p><strong>Refreshing Routines & Creating Space for Rest</strong></p><p>Spring is nature’s gentle nudge to refresh, to shed what feels heavy and make room for lightness. And that doesn’t just mean deep-cleaning your kitchen cupboards. It also means taking a good look at your daily rhythms.</p><p>I used to have this habit of clinging to routines that no longer worked for me. Even when they felt clunky and draining, I’d stick with them out of habit. But spring is a beautiful reminder that it’s okay to let your routines evolve with the season.</p><p><strong>Ask yourself:</strong></p><p>* Are your current rhythms fuelling or draining you?</p><p>* Do you need more slowness in your mornings or more stillness in your evenings?</p><p>* Could you loosen the grip on routines that feel too rigid?</p><p><strong>For me, refreshing my routine in spring looks like:</strong></p><p>* Swapping the coffee on the sofa mornings for coffee in the garden mornings.</p><p>* Slowing down my evenings by reading with soft lighting instead of scrolling my phone.</p><p>* Leaving white space in my calendar just for the sake of it—no tasks, no plans, just room to breathe.</p><p><strong>How to Create Space for Rest:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Prioritise white space:</strong> You don’t have to fill every hour. Leaving space in your schedule allows room for spontaneity, creativity, and genuine rest.</p><p>* <strong>Build transition moments:</strong> Add tiny moments of pause between activities. A short walk after work, a tea break before tackling the next task…it all counts.</p><p>* <strong>Redefine productivity:</strong> Rest doesn’t need to be earned. It’s not a reward for getting everything done, it’s the fuel that makes everything else sustainable.</p><p><strong>Your Soulful Spring Cleaning Prompt:</strong></p><p>If you’re feeling ready to do some internal spring cleaning, here’s a gentle journaling prompt to sit with:<em>“What am I holding onto that feels heavy, and what would it feel like to set it down?”</em></p><p>Let yourself write freely. Don’t overthink it. Let the words flow onto the page without judgement.</p><p>And if you find that you’re carrying more than you realised, be gentle with yourself. Spring cleaning for the soul is not about fixing, it’s about lightening. It’s about making just a little more space for the things that breathe life into you.</p><p><p>Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and intention. Subscribe to receive simple musings directly in your inbox.</p></p><p><strong>Give Yourself Permission to Let Go</strong></p><p>So, as you dust off your shelves and scrub your floors this spring, I hope you’ll also make time to dust off your soul. To clear out the self-imposed pressure, the perfectionism, and the emotional clutter that no longer fits.</p><p>Because you deserve to feel lighter. You deserve to breathe easier. You deserve a spring that feels spacious, not just in your home, but in your heart.</p><p><em>Let me know: what are you letting go of this spring? Share your reflections with me over on Instagram or in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’re releasing and making space for.</em></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theslowlivingcollective.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">theslowlivingcollective.substack.com/subscribe</a>