You may believe that clutter is a matter of having too much stuff, too little space, or not enough time to keep things organized.
It’s not the stuff that’s the problem — it’s a matter of mindset that physically manifests as a messy desk or overflowing closets. Our possessions are wrapped up in our feelings of security, status, comfort, and love. This “just in case” syndrome can paralyze you, keeping you from making the decisions needed to declutter and move forward in other areas of your life.
The thing most people don't realize is how clutter affects your brain and your body. According to Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter, "clutter robs you of mental energy, leaving you feeling anxious, tired, and overwhelmed. It frustrates you. It makes you lose things and waste time. It ruins your focus and concentration, drawing attention away from what’s important. Clutter is a nagging reminder that your work is never done, reinforcing negative self-talk that you are lazy or a procrastinator. It can make you feel ill, at least in your own home because it’s a constant “should” hanging over your head, burdening you with guilt. It also has the potential to be a dust haven contributing to allergies and brain fog."
Whew! That's a lot! On the other hand, decluttering often acts as a gateway to taking better care of other aspects of life. Once you get started other important changes will follow. Some examples are people often stop bad habits, get out of toxic jobs or relationships and lose those "last 10 lbs."
Decluttering doesn't only apply to physical items. Mental decluttering can take place with clearing your email inbox and inventorying your social media accounts. Seriously, I'm one of those people that had thousands of unopened emails. Decluttering is the first step in moving in the right direction...small steps, big rewards. Go ahead and challenge yourself. If you don't know how to get started-reach out! It really does make a big difference in how you feel.
Sending some love Lisa
𝑃.𝑆. Here's my spice drawer and how I organized it in my new house! It's right next to the stove and makes for easy cooking!