02:27

What Really Matters

by Brooks Palmer

Rated
4.7
Type
talks
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
6.1k

We've been brainwashed through marketing and society that things are more important than us. But when we're honest with ourselves, we see that's not true. We are sacred and our things are not. In this excerpt from my audiobook, Clutter Busting: Letting Go of What's Holding You Back, I talk about what really matters.

Self WorthMinimalismSimplified LivingFreedomEmotional ReleaseFreedom Achievements

Transcript

Epilogue.

What Really Matters.

Now that you're at the end,

Welcome to the beginning.

This is the start of a new life,

One in which you start to really value yourself.

Ultimately,

It is your life to enjoy.

It is up to you.

What do you have otherwise?

A house or apartment that you dread coming home to?

A life not worth waking up to in the morning?

There is no value in things.

The value is in you.

You don't need anything.

You alone are enough.

You know now that you were mistakenly taught otherwise.

You now know what really matters.

There is a true story about a woman who was working at the World Trade Center when it was struck by terrorists.

She ran out of the office with a friend.

When they got to the stairwell,

She said she had to go back to her desk and get her little girl's picture.

She never returned.

She went back for a thing,

A representation of something that mattered to her.

How could she have done otherwise?

We are all trained to act this way.

We have been living this way for most of our lives.

To live peacefully and happily,

Honestly look at what you have and ask,

What matters?

What do I really need?

What is worthless to me now?

Keep what matters,

Toss what doesn't.

It's easy once you start.

I tell people if I can do it,

So can you.

My life used to be a mess,

But then I cleaned it up.

I found I enjoy my life in simplicity.

I have more fun than I used to when I had so many things but felt confused and unsatisfied.

Everyone's clutter-busting story is different.

Yours will be too.

You will find yourself laughing at some of the things you have held onto.

You might cry.

You will feel joy in tossing things that do not matter to you anymore.

You are making room for yourself.

In the end,

You will feel freedom,

The kind you have been wanting all along.

Happy clutter-busting!

Meet your Teacher

Brooks PalmerSebastopol, CA, USA

4.7 (612)

Recent Reviews

ANDRE

December 28, 2025

A wonderfully read reminder of what really matters..Thank you.

Brendan

November 1, 2025

I agree it is good to get rid of the meaningless stuff. Thanks ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

Lynn

October 5, 2025

I am about to clear a lot of clutter in my bedroom so this was a perfect message to hear! thank you

Mia

May 29, 2025

You are so right in what matters. I have a lot to reflect on & a lot to let go of. Thank you for your insight. Namaste ๐Ÿ™

Tosha

April 19, 2025

Clutterbusting here I come! Thank you for reminding me of this perspective action โ˜บ๏ธ

Darlene

February 10, 2025

I cant wait to get started! Thank you for the great message!

Alfredo

September 6, 2024

This was gold for a 52 year old man who enjoys living alone. Thank you.

Mari

May 25, 2024

Exactly what I needed to hear again! Thanks Brooks.โ™ฅ๏ธ

Linda

May 19, 2024

Iโ€™m packing up to move and change a lot in my life. This is just what I needed. Thank you.

Al

May 10, 2024

Excellent guidance on getting clear about what matters and why. Thank you. Namaste ๐Ÿ™

joe

May 1, 2024

Thank you for sharing this with us. It makes perfect sense Namaste, my friend.

๐Ÿ’šDelilah๐Ÿ’š

April 30, 2024

Itโ€™s nice to see your face pop up in my feed. Iโ€™m drawn to you like an old friend. I pray you are finding moments of peace and happiness ๐Ÿซ๐ŸŽ—๏ธ tysm๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

stefy

August 31, 2020

Oh God! So easy to stumble and forget what is it that really matters, thank you for this reminder, I'll try to perfect my mindfulness about this, in the good and in the hard times.

Louise

November 27, 2019

Two years ago we downsized by 60 percent. It felt so good. Time to peel off another layer. Thanks.

Paula

November 27, 2019

My yoga instructor spoke of this same thing yesterday as the dumpster came by lol.

Katherine

November 27, 2019

Thank you so much for this great reminder of whats really important in life. Helped me a lot.

Jeff

November 26, 2019

Very insightful for an excellent short reading. Thanks for sharing.!

Balachandran

November 26, 2019

Awesome, blessings

Michelle

November 26, 2019

Thank you for the encouragement, I really needed this.

Barb

November 26, 2019

What I needed to hear. Thank you & Blessings

More from Brooks Palmer

Loading...

Related Meditations

Loading...

Related Teachers

Loading...
ยฉ 2026 Brooks Palmer. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

How can we help?

Sleep better
Reduce stress or anxiety
Meditation
Spirituality
Something else