The first time I heard about the power of decluttering was 17 years ago when I was listening to a course by author Sonia Choquette. She recommended getting rid of anything of all clutter as a requirement to improve our intuition. She shared when she purged herself of many material possessions she was able to hear her inner guidance better. I was inspired to clear out many of my possessions. This was to be the first of numerous purgings over the years.
The second time I heard about the importance of decluttering was a talk about how to use EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping acupuncture points to reduce emotional and physical pain) to declutter. The speaker specialized in using EFT to help people declutter. He found that the people who had the most clutter where people who had unresolved grief. Podcast with a script to use EFT to declutter: LINK. Part of the script he uses that I really liked: “I recognize the fact that if I take this a little at a time…If I clean this up bit by bit…Those small steps will make a huge difference…Every little bit of cleaning I do will move me closer to having this completed.”
Brad Yates has a good youtube video about using EFT for decluttering that addresses resistance to clearing out clutter: LINK.
The third time I heard of how important decluttering was when a client shared with me Marie Kondo’s book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. My client followed the author’s advice to take each of her possessions, hold them in her hands one at a time and ask herself if that possession brought her joy. The author guides people to let go of possessions that do not bring them joy. The one line summary of this method is “How to set up your life so you are surrounded only by things that bring you joy.” That sounds good, doesn’t it?
Decluttering to increase joy sounds good but can be overwhelming. Fortunately much help for this problem is available. Amazon.com has over 20 related titles regarding decluttering. I recommend a Facebook Group called “Decluttering Your Home with Sarah Mueller”. The group has 52,347 members. There is another FB group called the Decluttering Club with 62,796 likes. I found a quote by Socrates there: “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”
I joined Sarah Mueller’s FB group because I enjoyed seeing the before and after photos. When I posted a photo of my decluttered garage, 108 people liked the post.
17 people wrote encouraging comments like, “Oh my. Please come do my garage. I’m begging you. Lol… looks great” and “There’s a floor!”
An example of encouragement and tips given in the decluttering facebook group was when one member asked “How did y’all stay motivated?”. She received 45 responses. This is the comment I liked the best: “ I’m so sorry you have to sludge thru this- but decluttering is for YOU! Take small steps, do what you can when you can, and know that everything you toss is a lightened load for you.”
On Youtube I counted more than 200 videos about decluttering. The video titled “Extreme KonMarie Method Decluttering Before and After” has 2.9 million views after only being posted 4 months.
video: LINK
The woman who did the decluttering in this video summed the process by writing, “I never thought cleaning my room would change my life, but here I am a new person all thanks to a few days of extreme bedroom cleaning inspired by Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” It is funny, touching, and revealing. Who knew decluttering could be so entertaining? It has 4,551 comments. Wow! I just love how total strangers are coming together to encourage each other. Here is one comment: “I did this once and honestly after you cry and just “let go” of all that, it feels amazing, the crying and emotional part honestly unclutters your mind and heart.”
If you watch this video please don’t expect that you can or should declutter at the speed she did. Most of us do better at decluttering one small part of a room at a time. The facebook group I recommended for decluttering has started 20 and 30 minute challenges. One member will challenge anyone else who wants to join her to declutter for 20 to 30 minutes and then post their photos showing their progress. One challenge I saw for 20 minutes had 164 people responding to it. Decluttering with other people at the same time it is less overwhelming and more fun. Who doesn’t like to get a little recognition for hard work? I have not tried this yet but I imagine I would like the idea of knowing others in the group were decluttering at the same time.
Decluttering is a skill that can be improved. People often find decluttering helps them feel more clear minded, lighter and at ease. Do you notice feeling more relaxed in a room that is organized and decluttered? One author titled her book Messy Bed, Messy Head. Maybe I should write a book called: Cleared House, Cleared Head.
I have a new motto to help me decide what to keep and what to release: “If in doubt, get it out.” For years I have been trying to decide whether to keep a good quality oak table and lampstand that was in my house when I bought it. They definitely did not bring me joy. They made my living room a little crowded. So out they went. I felt better without them.
It is important to be patient with yourself as you declutter. Many possessions have memories and emotions attached. Some things are easy to get rid of while other things are not. I found as I got rid of one round of possessions I felt so much better that I did another round of decluttering, letting go of more things. Sometimes it helps to find good homes for possessions you no longer need or want. If they are too big to take to the resale store you can post them for Free on Craig’s List.
Decluttering has many advantages. Some are unexpected. Check out this funny 8 second video one woman posted : LINK.
If you would like a fresh start for our life, decluttering achieves “out with the old, in with the new.” There are so many things in life we have no control over. But we do have control of the possessions we own. We have the power to simplify our lives by getting rid of what does not serve us.
If you feel you can’t declutter on your own, that’s OK. Sometimes the emotions are too much to work through alone or even with social media. Please feel free to call or text me at 586-799-2399 for a free 15 minute phone consultation of how therapy could be geared to help you declutter and develop a stronger you.