Just wanted to share my latest inspirational find. When I found this blog, "It's not About Your Stuff" by Jessica Duquette I got so excited! Our philosophies are so similar! I am working on a new workshop called "Let's Clear Your Clutter! The Permanent Clutter Clearing Solution" and I'm so excited about including her as a resource.
To me, clearing clutter is really about getting to the true meaning of clutter. I don't believe that clutter is just junk that needs to be gotten rid of -- Clutter is stuff that is undermining your ability to function effectively.
According to Merriam-Webster, clutter is:
Function: verb
1. to run in disorder
2. to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness -- often used with upFunction: noun
1. a crowded or confused mass or collection
Everyone has minor clutter spots, but if you have extensive or chronic clutter, it is a symptom that something in your life isn't working for you. To clear clutter for good, you need to understand the true reason it's there. Is it just that you lack the skills to organize your stuff? Sometimes it is that easy. But extensive chronic clutter is most often deeper than that.
Extensive chronic clutter is almost always a physical manifestation of deep fears & insecurities, indecision, inner conflicts, resentments, depression, pain, loss, trauma, lack of communication within a family, and more. In almost all of these situations, the there is an underlying fear. Clearing clutter for good means recognizing those fears and deciding not to let them control you any more.
Even if hire a professional organizer to help you, they should respect that you need to let go of fear in your own time, in your own way, based on your own personal reasons for the clutter. It's not just about getting rid of stuff, it's about letting go of fear on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level and trusting that you will always somehow have what you really need. Clearing clutter for good is about:
- Identifying the underlying issues and what benefits you are getting out of the clutter, e.g., security, insulation, revenge, or perhaps its an expression of your rage
- Resolving conflicts, clarifying values, facing fears, and communicating from the heart
- Making decisions based on your values and needs, not out of fear.
As Jessica says, it's not always about letting go of fear, sometimes it's a matter of learning to manage your fears.
I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read Jessica's blog and thoughts on Letting go...She is a gem. As she says "I couldn't have said it better myself!"
It's not about your stuff!: Thoughts about letting go.
By Jessica Duquette "The Diva Of Letting Go"
All the best,
