Do you ever feel besieged by possessions, swamped by the abundance of 'things' crowding your life? You are certainly in good company. Clutter is a common challenge, taking space not only in our homes but also our minds. This clutter is not just a nuisance; for many, it brings feelings of shame and guilt. Let's explore the tangled connection between the clutter that occupies our spaces, and clouds our minds. Making a few changes can profoundly change your relationship to "things".
There are so many reasons that people can become overwhelmed by physical clutter. Often, it is related to a major life change. It does not matter whether it's good or bad; anything that disrupts the usual rhythm of your life can make you a little bit disorganized, and if you don't have systems in place to help you get back on track, it can lead to overwhelm. Of course, you must be flexible and kind to yourself as well.
The strong connection between our physical clutter and mental stress is frequently underestimated. Even thinking about clearing the clutter can feel exhausting. But by embracing a few small, consistent changes, we can empower ourselves to take deliberate action and initiate positive change. For a start, change the words you use to describe the situation to yourself. Shift from a negative to a positive, or at least neutral, term , like substituting ‘catch-all’ or 'miscellaneous’ for 'junk'. This can significantly influence the approach to the task of decluttering and make it a more matter-of-fact process.
Then make a start by choosing one, discrete area to declutter. Marla Cilley, ‘the FlyLady’, recommends no more than 15 minutes working on just one area - she recommends the kitchen sink - but whatever small area niggles you the most. Complete that 15 minutes and give yourself a pat on the back - you've made a start!
"Clutter is nothing more than
postponed decisions"
Barbara Hemphill
Keep: things you love or that are in use often; if they are not in the correct spot, take them there now.
Trash: decide whether it should be recycled or not, and move it the appropriate receptacle.
Donate: Something you don’t love or use but which is still functional - but only if you can do it immedately. (I recommend searching for a Buy Nothing group near you through FaceBook.)
Make the decision to do 15 minutes of sorting one small, defined, space every day.
If you start this process but find you have anxiety or sadness surrounding the task, perhaps guilt linked to discarding gifts or items with sentimental value, concentrate on the memories tied to these objects rather than the items themselves. Detach emotionally and embrace a newfound sense of freedom.
If you still find this overwhelming it may be time to consult a professional organizer or hypnotherapist or psychotherapist and if it is interfering with your daily life, please, consult with your doctor.
Two Hypnotherapists Talking
S5 Ep 7
Clearing with C.Lee Cawley, Professional Organizer
listen here
Please note that the information provided here is intended solely for educational purposes and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult with your own healthcare professional if you think something you've read or heard, on this or any other website, may apply to you or a loved one.
Denise Billen-Mejia MD, Consulting Hypnotist and Coach worked for two decades as a clinician in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine and now, retired from medicine, she actively seeks opportunities to educate physicians and the public about hypnosis.
She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (section on Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine), and a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Contact Denise through www.healandberadiant.com or the podcast page www.twohypnotherapists.com
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