Yeesh…I get in one of those moods every once in a while. My brain is overloaded and I look around and feel like the walls are closing in. That’s when I clear the clutter because I believe in the mantra: Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind.
It was long past time to rearrange the garage – AKA the giant (black hole) closet. If I don’t know what to do with something, I just put it in the garage.
Not a good idea.
Every time I go into the garage, I get overwhelmed and frustrated because – wait for it – I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING!
It makes me weary and yet…
So the urge to purge has been eating at me for a couple of weeks and this past weekend I did it.
I filled up the trash can, the recycle can and the giveaway pile.
No, I really haven’t gone total Marie Kondo. It’s just that I can’t think straight when there’s stuff all over the place.
The Connection Between Mind Clutter and Physical Clutter
I have a busy life (as we all do) and I don’t always put things back where they belong nor do I have time to clear the clutter from every surface. Sometimes, I just don’t have the time or the energy to make everything look perfect.
Ah, then it all catches up to me. The “stuff” of life just gets on my last nerve.
And I’m not alone.
Science has figured out that an overabundance of stuff in your personal space overloads your brain and actually impairs your ability to think creatively. Lifehacker.com explains it this way:
Whether it be your closet or office desk, excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information. That’s exactly what neuroscientists at Princeton University found when they looked at people’s task performance in an organized versus disorganized environment. The results of the study showed that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress.
Several years ago, I moved into a small apartment. I couldn’t put away all of my belongings because I simply didn’t have the room for everything.
I kept a lot of the stuff in boxes – I couldn’t bear to part with any of my things at that time.
Then I decided to make room for my aromatherapy studio. That kicked the purging into high gear. My apartment was neat, but full of unpacked boxes because WHERE DO I PUT ALL THAT STUFF?
How To Declutter – One Thing At A Time
I’m happy to say that I went through one box every single day and decided what to do with the contents. Trash or give away – that was my only two options. I couldn’t get rid of everything all at once because it was too overwhelming, but I sorted through and faced up to what was happening.
Many tears and much gnashing of teeth later, I realized the stuff I was collecting was actually keeping me from facing the real issue: all that stuff crowds out the emotional needs they’re intended to support.
Translation: I used retail therapy to feel better about myself, to fight off the loneliness and to keep fear away. (Fear of what? That’s another post – stay tuned.)
It was time to clear the clutter from all that retail therapy over the years. I’m not a fan of dusting to begin with but when you have too many mementos and trinkets and books and papers and clothes and shoes, it gets harder and harder to dust quickly.
Not to mention I couldn’t quickly find anything when I needed it.
Some days, that one box became two or three boxes cleaned out. It felt good to let go of things that had been sitting unused for a number of years. I felt like a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders when I cleared the clutter.
That’s how it felt this past weekend. I cleared out the clutter from the garage, my studio and my space and it feels clean and tidy and I don’t feel weighed down and frustrated.
The best part? All the ingredients, jars and bottles that I need are sorted and easy to find. Much less time wasted!
Along the way, I used my Emotional Therapy Synergy Blend Rollerball to help me work through some of the emotional issues surrounding my need for stuff.
Maybe you’re not ready to declutter yet. That’s perfectly fine. You do you, boo.
This past weekend was my time. The good news? I can get to my bike and golf clubs without having to move a ton of stuff out of the way. That’s a win in my book!
Is this you? Is it time? Please take a moment to share this post on your favorite social media site – maybe it’s a nudge for someone you know!
As always, thank you for spending time here and many blessings,
Melissa