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The Mess Before the Magic: Why Clearing Out Is Essential for Growth

Spring has arrived, and with it, the familiar desire to refresh, clear, and prune—not just in my garden, but in my life.

As I spent some time outside today working on my yard, I was reminded of how much this process mirrors personal growth and the challenges that come with it.

It’s not just about the garden—it’s also about the resistance we feel when faced with something that needs attention.

I’ve been looking at my yard for some time now, and while we’ve had a lot of rain, we've also had some beautiful days. But for weeks, I kept putting off going out there. I’d look at the overgrown shrubs, the weeds, and the mess, and feel overwhelmed.

It seemed easier to ignore it, to think, “I’ll get to it later.”

I realize now that I’ve done this with many aspects of my life.

You might have experienced it too—the things we know would make the biggest difference are often the things we put off.

We come up with all sorts of reasons and excuses for why we can’t take action. For me, it was always, “I don’t know where to begin. It’s too much. I’m not sure how to start.” That feeling of uncertainty can stop us from even beginning.

And it’s not just the garden—it’s personal growth. There are moments when I didn’t know how to let go of things that no longer served me, how to relax, or how to get more active.

Those unanswered questions, that uncertainty, created a barrier. We get stuck in the "not knowing" and let it keep us from moving forward.

But, here’s the truth: we have to start.

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating—we don’t always have to have a perfect plan. We don’t need to see the end result before we begin.

Sometimes, the most important thing is to just take that first step, no matter how unclear the path may seem. When you start, things will begin to appear. Ideas will emerge, and as you continue, the picture will get clearer.

That’s exactly what happened when I finally began pruning my yard. It was messy at first.

The yard is still a work in progress. Some areas are still rough, just like some areas of my life that I’m working through right now.

But I’m holding on to the belief that things will work out, that with patience and trust, everything will come together. It’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about doing the work and allowing the growth to unfold.

Before (after the pruning) and the after. Just glorious. A reminder of what is possible.

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Three Points to Ponder:

1. What have you been putting off? What’s something in your life that you’ve been avoiding, even though you know it’s important?
2. What’s stopping you from starting? What uncertainty or fear is holding you back from taking the first step?
3. How can you trust the process? How can you allow yourself to start, even without a clear picture of what the end result will look like?

Key Strategies for Clearing and Pruning Your Life:

• Start small: Identify one area in your life that needs attention—whether it's physical, emotional, or mental—and begin clearing.
• Trust the process: Remember that change can be messy at first. Embrace the discomfort and trust that it will lead to growth.
• Take inspired action: Whether it’s having a difficult conversation, setting a new boundary, or simply starting that project you’ve been putting off—take that first step. Progress will follow.
• Be patient: It may take time, but remember that the process of clearing the old makes space for the new. Give yourself grace during this transition.

Your Next Step:

This week, I challenge you to pick one area of your life to start clearing away. Whether it’s a physical space, an emotional block, or an old belief, take that first step. Trust that the process will unfold, and remember that progress doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be consistent.

What’s one thing you can clear away this week to create space for growth? Hit reply and share—I’d love to hear from you!

What's Coming and what is available:

• From Stuck to Unstoppable: Your 90 -Minute Breakthrough Session - A private laser coaching session to hone in on your top priorities, gain clarity, build confidence and a create a pathway for success.
• 1:1 Coaching opportunities exist.

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email: marianne@mariannepreston.com

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