Notes from a Clutter Bust

Here's are some interesting things that came up in yesterday's clutter bust:

My client said, "This is embarrassing for me."

I said that's good. It meant she was feeling vulnerable. Clutter makes us close up. It's painful to live with clutter, so we end up shutting off our sensitivity to protect ourselves.

When we clutter bust, we open up to our feelings about the things in our life and space. It may feel uncomfortable initially because we haven't been that open for a while. But as we continue with the letting go process, it becomes easier to be vulnerable. There's a feeling of freedom that comes from opening up.

.....

My client said, "Should I hang on to all these things I'm not using in case I need them one day?"

I said that you don't want your home to be a warehouse for stuff. You can't enjoy your home when it's a storage space. A home is meant for living. You'll feel much better living with just the things that you love and use. Then your home becomes a living space.

.........

My client said, "I'm having trouble seeing what's clutter. If someone else saw all this, they'd say, 'why can't you get rid of that?' But I can't. Why can't I do this?"

I said that initially it's hard to see what's clutter. You get used to living with things that no longer serve you. A part of you assumes you need it all because at one time you did.

You're learning a new habit. You're learning to notice when something is no longer a part of your life. You're learning to give yourself permission to let go of what you no longer love and use. Give it time. It will happen.

.......

Clutter Busting on facebook