Step-by-Step Declutter
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog

Uncover Your Clutter

3/23/2021

10 Comments

 
Picture
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. This just means that there are product suggestions included within the text. Should you click on one of the links and decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. I only suggest products I love and have experience with that are directly related to the content in this post. You can view my Disclosure Statement for more information. Thank you for your support! ​
When you hear the word clutter, what comes to mind? If you're like most people, physical clutter is the thing you think of first. It may even be the only thing. In truth, though, clutter can take many forms. Kerri L. Richardson, professional organizer and author of the book What Your Clutter Is Trying To Tell You, defines clutter as follows: 
Picture
When thought of in this way, many other types of clutter become evident. The first step to decluttering is to uncover your clutter. In other words, to truly conquer your clutter, you have to identify it in all its forms in order to root it out and remove it from your life. 

Seen and Unseen


Not all clutter is visible. While visible clutter (which I will refer to as physical clutter) is the most obvious, it may not be the most limiting or the most impactful form of clutter in a person's life. Clutter can be mental, emotional, or spiritual as well. While generally unseen, these types of clutter (sometimes referred to as "baggage") can have a radical impact on quality of life and overall well-being. 

Conscious and Unconscious


The clutter that is conscious is the clutter that you recognize and acknowledge. When you encounter conscious clutter, it elicits a reaction. The reaction can be both intellectual and physical in nature. For example, seeing a cluttered countertop might cause your muscles to tense or your heartrate to increase. It might also conjur negative thoughts and emotions. 

While most conscious clutter is physical, not all physical clutter is conscious. It's possible for a person to become so used to physical clutter that he or she develops a sort of clutter blindness.

Unconcious clutter can also evoke physical and emotional signs of stress. The difference lies in the fact that unconcious clutter is not recognized as clutter. It can be anything in your life that is getting in your way, preventing your progress, or impacting your peace and happiness. This description of clutter by inspirational writer Eleanor Brownn perfectly describes what I am referring to as unconscious clutter.  
Picture

Uncovering Your Clutter


Now that we have expanded our understanding of clutter, let's take a closer look at the different kinds of clutter. 

Physical Clutter


Physical clutter is stuff. It takes up space in the physical world. When searching for a definition of clutter, you will find that it is often associated with disorder, confusion, and excess. Physical clutter refers to those items that are unused, unneeded, and/or unwanted but held onto for one reason or another. It can also refer to items that are out of place or have no permanent home. 

It's interesting to note that the reasons behind the accumulation and retention of physical clutter could be considered a form of clutter in and of themselves. I'm thinking here of the guilt or fear that often cause us to hold onto things that really don't have a place in our lives. 

Clearing Away Physical Clutter:
This website is dedicated largely to the concept of dealing with physical clutter, so I won't go into tremendous depth here. Instead, I will just offer a few simple suggestions for getting started. 
  • Identify out of place items. Then find them a home or get rid of them. 
  • Establish a specific place for all of your belongings and practice putting things in their place when not in use. 
  • Develop a declutter mindset. Make a habit of getting rid of anything you encounter that does not serve a useful purpose in your life or speak to your heart. 
  • Create and utilize systems for dealing with incoming and outgoing gear and other frequently accessed items such as mail. 
  • Devote 15 minutes a day to decluttering by tackling small projects such as a drawer, a cupboard, or a countertop or other surface.

Mental Clutter


Mental clutter accumulates when we have too much to do or to think about. As a result, our brains become overloaded making it difficult to focus,  problem solve, and be productive. This leads to stress, anxiety, and frustration. 

If you are like me, you probably find yourself thinking most clearly during down times such as while driving, taking a shower, exercising, or laying in bed first thing in the morning. This is because these simple, semi-automatic activities require very little 'brain power', thus allowing our minds to focus in on a particular problem that's been troubling us or to suddenly wow us with a flash of brilliance or creative genius. The problem is, capturing these light bulb moments can be tricky when one is in the middle of traffic or dripping wet. The good news is, there are things we can do to recreate the circumstances that foster mental clarity. 

Clearing Away Mental Clutter: 
  • Practice meditation. Quieting your mind is one of the best ways to invite clear thinking. 
  • Avoid multitasking. It does not work. Countless studies have concluded that multitasking is totally ineffective. 
  • Practice single-tasking. By concentrating on one task through completion, you will actually get more done and feel less stressed. 
  • Download information from your brain to a safe location such as a digital or paper notebook. Make a habit of recording insights, ideas, or things you need to do as you think of them. If you know the information is in a safe place where you can access it as needed, your brain will be able to relax and focus on the things of greatest current relevance. Try to utilze one specific system for recording things you want to remember. Random bits of paper are not a safe way to retain information. 
  • Reduce distractions. Distractions only add to mental clutter. Limiting them increases the ability to focus.
  • Declutter your physical environment. Studies show that physical clutter engenders feelings of stress and reduces our ability to focus because our brains register clutter as something that needs to be dealt with. 
Picture

Emotional Clutter


Emotional clutter comes as a result of negative thoughts and feelings that weigh us down and limit our progress. Guilt, fear, anger, resentment, self-doubt, jealousy, anxiety, and grief are some of the biggest culprits. Despite their damning effect on us (or perhaps because of it), we often cling to these emotions, and the sources from which they spring, with self-destructive determination. 

What are the sources of emotional clutter? Some examples include:
  • unhealthy, one-sided, or toxic relationships
  • comparisons to others
  • perfectionism
  • inaction 
  • unrealistic expectations
  • clinging to the past
  • holding onto hurt or injustice
  • harboring negative thoughts 

The key to overcoming emotional clutter is to develop emotional resilience, or the ability to adjust or recover when faced with change, setbacks, disappointments, and other challenges that life presents. 

​Clearing Away Emotional Clutter:
  • Think positive. Each thought creates a pathway of sorts in our brains. The more we focus on a particular thought, the smoother and clearer that pathway becomes. One way to train your mind to take the positive path is through affirmations. 
  • Take care of yourself. Negative thoughts often lead to negative behaviors (and vice versa). Things that are good for you physically such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and plenty of fresh air and sunshine, produce dopamine in our brains. One of the effects of increased dopamine is mood enhancement. Thus, taking care of our bodies is also a good way to increase emotional health.
  • Seek positive methods of stress relief. Develop constructive ways of reducing stress that build you up and strengthen your resiliency. Examples include meditation, yoga, exercise, or any activity that relaxes you and brings you joy. 
  • Look outward. One of the best ways to improve your outlook is to help others who are in need. Service makes you feel good - about yourself and your situation. By serving others, especially those whose circumstances are less fortunate than our own, we are able to put our problems in perspective and better appreciate the good in our lives. 
  • Practice gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal or just make a goal to thank someone every day for something they have done for you. Before you know it, you will be looking at things in a much more positive light. 
  • Build strong relationships. Positive connections to other strengthen and energize us as humans. By fostering healthy bonds with others, you create a source of both joy and support in your life. 
  • Focus on the future. No one can change the past, but we can impact our future through the choices we make and the things we emphasize. 
  • Learn and grow. Focus on something you want to do or to learn and begin working toward that goal. This will help to develop a sense of purpose and foster feelings of self-worth. It will also keep your focus on the future. 

Spiritual Clutter


Integrity is often associated with honesty. That is certainly an important aspect of integrity, but there is more to this concept than mere veracity. Integrity also means whole, sound, undiminished, unimpaired. When applied to one's character, I think a good way to define integrity is living in such a way that your actions are consistent with your beliefs. In other words, integrity is being true to yourself.

When we make choices that we know are not an accurate reflection of how we believe we should live our lives, our integrity is weakened. Much like a building that is structurally unsound, poor choices can leave us feeling unbalanced, out of alignment, and just off. It could be as serious as committing a crime or breaking a vow or as simple as being unkind or eating something that's bad for you. It all depends on what matters to you and the person you want to be. Whatever the case, the more we live out of sync with the things we believe to be right, the more spiritual clutter amasses in our lives. 

Clearing Away Spiritual Clutter:  
  • Forgive yourself. None of us are perfect, and dwelling on our failings only drags us down. Instead, practice giving yourself grace. When you fall short of your own expectations, rise up and try again. Remember that forward progress is progress, no matter how small. 
  • Forgive others. Few things can weigh a person down more than holding a grudge. If you are harboring hard feelings toward someone who has wronged you, recognize that you are only harming yourself. Letting go of hurt is the only way to truly heal. 
  • Seek forgiveness. If you have wronged another, apologize. As hard as it may be to face someone you have hurt, it's nothing compared to the spiritual burden resulting from feelings of guilt and remorse. Admitting mistakes isn't always easy, but it is invariably liberating.
  • Define what right looks like. Take time to reflect on the person you want to become and outline for yourself what it means to be that person. How does such a person behave? What does he or she value? 
  • Embrace defining affirmations. Create simple, positive statements that emphasize who you are striving to become such as I am a person who treats others with respect and kindness, or I am a person who values health and well-being. As such, I continually strive to care for my mind and body. 
  • Emphasize the positive. Instead of saying, I can't eat carbs or I can't drink alcohol, say I don't eat carbs or I don't drink alcohol. This simple variation in word choice makes a huge difference in behavior. The word can't implies that something is being forced upon you against your will. Whereas, the word don't indicates a choice. Studies show that people are far more likely to stick to a new habit if they emphasize don't over can't. 
  • Set attainable goals. Speaking of new habits, the best way to build them is through simple, managable steps. I highly recommend James Clear's book Atomic Habits for an interesting and insightful look at the science behind forming habits and an easy approach to applying that science successfully. 

It Doesn't Matter Where You Start


Clutter can be overwhelming. When it comes to physical clutter, clients often tell me, "I don't know where to start." The same can be true for all forms of clutter, be it mental, emotional, or spiritual.

My response to this statement is always the same, and it holds true no matter what type of clutter you are dealing with. It doesn't matter where you start. Just start, and in doing so, you will build confidence and momentum that will carry you through to the end.

I wish you every success in uncovering and conquering your clutter. It is worth the effort. You can do it. I believe in you. 
Picture
If you're feeling nervous about uncovering your clutter, contact me. The process is always easier when you have support. 
10 Comments
Sabrina Quairoli link
3/29/2021 08:22:15 am

I totally agree, there are many things that clutter our lives. Thank you for spelling it out for us. I'm definitely sharing this with my audience.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
3/29/2021 10:04:03 am

Thanks, Sabrina!

Reply
Seana Turner link
3/29/2021 08:33:31 am

I relate to your point about clutter blindness. It honestly doesn't take long to stop seeing it. I just become accustomed to having a stack or pile. It takes intentionality to keep putting things away. It is worth it, though. It builds up so fast!!!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
3/29/2021 10:05:39 am

It does! Thanks so much for commenting.

Reply
Julie Bestry link
3/30/2021 01:20:40 am

This is so wise, and almost entirely comprehensive. To all of your types of clutter, I add one more: temporal clutter. You're right, people think most about the tangible stuff, and it's important to look at the mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter. But related to all of those is that mean old temporal clutter -- the overload of tasks related to worn-out interpersonal obligations, the labor required to keep the tangible clutter maintained, the event and activity clutter related to personal identities that have long been outgrown. As people follow your advice for addressing the tangible, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter, they should look at their daily habits and schedules to eliminate all the things in service to someone or something other than themselves and their own goals. Great post!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
3/30/2021 09:25:20 am

Excellent point, Julie! I totally agree that temporal clutter belongs by on this list. Thank you for bringing it up. I wish that I had thought to add it. I may have to update the page!

Reply
Melanie Summers link
3/31/2021 12:06:09 am

Great article! You really nailed all the nooks and crannies of where clutter really loves to hide. I often find, as I'm sure you do, that the mental/emotional/spiritual inhibitions tend to be the root of everything. They're almost like triggers and the physical stuff is the manifestation of that. That's why I think of physical clutter as a sort of clue for the real issue. Certain types of items that make up physical clutter can point to the root and with a little gentle probing, over time, you can find ways to let go and heal.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
3/31/2021 06:34:44 am

Well stated, Melanie! I love your insight, and I totally agree. That has been my experience as well. Uncovering unseen, unconscious clutter can go a long way toward reducing physical clutter.

Reply
Phaedra Studt link
3/31/2021 09:55:34 pm

I'm really happy to see mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter addressed. It's actually very important to the physical decluttering process to be in touch with yourself and your wants and needs. After all, how much do we keep due to guilt, regret, and other negative feelings?

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/1/2021 03:17:11 pm

So true, Phaedra. Figuring out what's behind your need to cling to things that aren't adding value to your life is the first step in unloading those things. It's true of many aspects of our lives - weight loss, bad habits, as well as clutter.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018

    Categories

    All
    Clutter
    Decision Making
    Decluttering
    DIY
    Donating
    Downsizing
    Family
    Goal Setting
    Holiday
    Motivation
    Moving
    Organization
    Priorities
    Productivity
    Recommendations
    Recycling
    Saving Money
    Spaces
    Special Needs
    Time Management
    Transitions
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog