My client yesterday looked at the stacks of things in her home office and saw one big lump of everything and folded in on herself. She said, "This is so hard, so hard."
I had her sit down and I said, "Let's just consider one thing at a time. It's easier to make a simple decision." I picked up a small amount of one stack and then handed her some pieces of paper. They were from her old job. She got confused again.
When we're confused, it helps to continue sifting. We can't see what to do just yet.
My client told me she thought she should keep everything from her old job because she was worried that she could lose her current job, and then the family couldn't afford their house, and they would be homeless. I asked if her current employer was happy with her. She said yes.
So I said maybe the fear is the clutter. Fear can appear to be unquestionably real. But just like asking about the things we can hold in our hands, it's good to ask about the things we hold in our heads.
Clutter busting is the fine art of sifting. It's catching the gleam of the finer feelings of "Yes" or "No."
I sensed she got the clarity. Her awareness illumined the shiny answer. She started to look relaxed. She said, "What am I actually going to do with this stuff anyway? Nothing." We continued going through the papers and most of them filled two huge recycling bags.
I heard from her later that she felt at peace. That's what it's all about.