The Power of Purging: Clearing Space for Aligned Abundance
Most people think of purging as simply getting rid of clutter. But cleansing, of our environments, our feeds, and especially our relationships, is about something much deeper. It’s about creating energetic space for what’s actually meant for us. It’s a direct invitation to bring in blessings, align ourselves with the Universe, and move in the direction of things that bring us peace, joy, and abundance.
In yogic and spiritual traditions, this act of clearing is sacred. It mirrors what we see in nature: the trees release their leaves in the fall, the tides pull back before they surge forward, and snakes shed their skin when it’s time to grow. Let's take a page out of Pachamama’s book. It’s fall, time to release what no longer serves so that new, more aligned life can take root.
Why Purging Matters: The Science of Space
Neuroscience and psychology are in agreement with what mystics have always known: the environments we keep affect our mood, focus, and capacity to create.
Clutter raises stress hormones. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who described their homes as cluttered had flatter cortisol rhythms throughout the day, which is linked to increased stress and negative health outcomes. PubMed DOI UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families also found a connection between high object density in homes and elevated cortisol levels in women.
Cognitive load increases with “visual noise.” When surroundings or digital spaces are crowded, the brain must constantly filter extra stimuli, which drains focus and willpower. Researchers at Princeton University found that visual clutter competes with task-relevant stimuli in our attentional system, reducing mental efficiency. Stanford BeWell
Letting go reduces anxiety. Decluttering activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s “rest and repair” mode, and lowers stress, much like breathwork. Research in behavioral science shows that organizing and releasing items can improve mood and mental clarity. Verywell Mind
Releasing people matters too. Our relationships have a direct physiological effect on the body. Chronic social stress, especially from relationships marked by conflict, criticism, or unpredictability, can elevate inflammation and cortisol levels, while supportive relationships calm the nervous system. Research from UC Berkeley shows that social stress triggers increased inflammatory responses, while positive connections help regulate them. PMC Study
Letting go of people is not about judgment or rejection. It is about choosing relationships that feel mutual, supportive, and true to where you are now. At times, you may be met with resistance or intense emotion, both from others and within yourself. I’ve felt that too, as I’ve released friendships that no longer felt good to me. Still, the deeper work is staying honest with your heart and grounded in your truth. Keep walking your path, even when it’s not the popular one, and trust that the connections meant for you will always find their way back.
This kind of clearing also extends to what we take in digitally. The accounts we follow, the conversations we engage in, and the media we consume all shape our nervous systems. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found that limiting social media use to just thirty minutes a day significantly reduces loneliness and depression. Penn Today Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology Additional research from Iowa State University showed that students who limited social media to thirty minutes a day experienced lower anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear of missing out. Iowa State News
If you find yourself feeling lonely, sad, or anxious, it might be time to take a closer look at your digital habits. My own social media use is limited for a reason. When people have access to every part of your life, their opinions can become overwhelming and not always helpful. I’ve come to see social media as a tool, a way to connect and share intentionally rather than a space for validation or performance. I use it to share what feels true and to offer what I hope is of service. When I approach it that way, it feeds me instead of draining me. You have to find that balance for yourself or step away completely, but the key is to stay awake and intentional. Don’t let the noise decide who you are.
Bottom line:
energetically, clutter, whether physical, emotional, or relational, keeps us in a loop of unfinished energy. The brain perceives unresolved items such as the pile on the chair, the text we have not answered, or the friend who drains us, as open tabs demanding our attention. Clearing them is not just aesthetic; it is neurological hygiene.
When we do this, when we intentionally clear what weighs on us, we free up energy that was once tied to maintaining the old. Suddenly there is room for inspiration, for new projects, for relationships that feel mutual and nourishing. Creativity begins to flow again, our intuition sharpens, and our nervous system can finally exhale. What we once experienced as “stuckness” often disappears, not because we did more, but because we made space for life to move through us again.
If you are feeling the pull to try something different, to move with the mystical, and to embrace a practice that has been honored for thousands of years, I invite you to join me. Over forty-four days, we will walk together through the mantras, rituals, and practices that help you return to flow. You will be held, supported, and reminded that clearing is not loss, it is preparation for the blessings already on their way.