During a clutter bust, there's often a tension and turbulence in the air from the client having difficulty making a decision. There's a fear that deciding to let something go will bring a sense of loss. This stuckness creates such a strain.
But what happens is that upon a deeper introspection, there's this discovery that it's the hanging on itself that is the source of the pain. The resistance hurts. Suddenly there's this sense that, "Hey, I don't like what this is doing to me." From there, the letting go happens.
I remember when I was attending college and feeling miserable. I didn't like my classes. I had no direction. Just going to class made me feel tired. The strain manifested as allergies. I went to so many doctors.
My parents weren't making me stay in school. I remember my mom saying, "You know, you don't have to go to college." But even though my reactions were upheaval and melancholy, I felt that I was supposed to be there.
Then I remember talking to a kind and sensible doctor. He said, "What makes you happy?" I hadn't really thought of that. I felt an openness happen to me. I said art and nature and music. The strain of what I should be doing was gone.
I went to the school's admissions office and I quit school. I felt a tremendous sense of freedom. I didn't know what I was going to do next. But it felt good to no longer be doing something I didn't care for.
That's why I encourage asking, "Do I like this, or can I let it go?" It sidesteps all the mental hullabaloo. It's kind inquiry into what we really care about. It's learning to let go.