Clutter Elimination: Keep Dumping the “Junk”

“Clutter-intransitive verb:  to run in disorder; to fill or cover with scattered disordered things that will impede movement or reduce effectiveness.”   Definition by Meriam-Webster

“Clutter-noun:  JUNK that gets in the way physically, mentally, emotionally.”  Definition by AnneMary Schram

We are surrounded by so much stuff/junk (physically, mentally and emotionally) that it is easy, really inevitable, that we will get bogged down.  When we get bogged down, we get stuck; when we are stuck, we feel sad, depressed, unmotivated, hopeless, uninspired, confused, unfocused, fearful, heavy, lazy, sick, etc. etc. etc…Well at least I do!

Years ago after I ended two unhealthy relationships (with a boyfriend and with myself) suddenly I wanted to purge.  As I was eliminating crap from my head (thanks to therapy), I also wanted to eliminate clutter from my environment.  At the time I didn't get the connection…mental clutter = physical clutter and vice versa… we won’t go into the chicken or the egg scenario here today though…I just know I had a strong urge to get rid of “stuff”.  I donated countless bags of “stuff” not only to charities (clothes, books, household goods, physical stuff) but also to my therapist (old stories, negative thoughts, self-hate, mental stuff).  The more I got rid of the better I felt.  Not only could I move better in my closet, drawers, cupboards (home), I could move better in my head (and heart).  Clutter takes up a lot of room…when we eliminate clutter, there is more space for new ideas, opportunities, possibilities, hopes, dreams (and maybe even a new pair of shoes).

So you get that I am talking about clutter literally and figuratively!!  A very,very few of the benefits of clutter elimination are as follows:

• A closet where I can actually see what I have (really don’t need 10 pair of black dress pants)
• A new, healthy relationship with myself (and others)
• 10 Tupperware bottoms that have tops to match (whittled down from at least 47 mismatches)
• A new appreciation for my life
• More organized, save time--easier/quicker to put stuff away (not trying to shove 20 pounds of crap into a 10# sack)
• Save $ (not buying more stuff that I already have or don’t need AND not going to therapy every week)
• A realization I need a lot less stuff
• I get to make donations to a lot of cool places (including woman’s shelters, SPCA, homeless shelters, recovery houses) AND friends (It’s fun to go to people’s houses and visit my stuff)
• Clutter elimination is cleansing

Please note…this is an ongoing process and it ain’t easy but the benefits are worth it..TRUST ME!  For the record, I am not a neat freak by any means but that doesn't mean I don’t try to eliminate clutter all the time!  Progress not perfection.

My big tip for the physical clutter elimination:  Just start and keep moving!  Don’t make a big deal about it.  Simply pick a drawer, shelf, corner, table…and start weeding out.  If you pick up something and start thinking why you cannot get rid of it, put it back and keep moving.  Maybe (or not) it will go on “round 2”.  You will build momentum if you keep moving.

My big tip for mental clutter elimination (besides hire a life coach):  Develop a new habit of writing 3 pages every day.  I call it a “brain dump”.  Just write, write, write what is going on in your head without editing.  As you release the negative energy, great things will happen..space will open up and you will even physically feel better.  Some days I write “why am I doing this..this is dumb..why should I write…”  and oh the answers I get..amazing.  Also I promise if you are lamenting over and over about something, you will get sick of writing about “it” and just do “it.  This is how my garage got cleaned and organized!  I was sick of “hearing” about it!

I encourage you to give clutter elimination (mental and physical) a try..nothing to lose and everything to gain.  I’d love to hear in the comments your thoughts, fears, successes, “failures” (opportunities for growth).  Thanks!