Clutter Sucks

I mean, it does. Right?

…Or maybe not?

Maybe you’ve been totally inspired by clutter before. If you’ve been to one of those junk shops packed to the brim with dreams from another time, you know what I mean. You’re shown stuff in a way you’d maybe never seen before. Seeing clutter can be like traveling; you never know what you’ll uncover and there’s endless topic for conversation.

Some creatives fully subscribe to clutter being their method to their art. It’s like that story about Mozart having buckets of his own urine everywhere because he was too busy composing music to be bothered by going all the way to the outhouse. (gross). So you might adopt the notion that you don’t have time for organizing; the world needs your creative genius and it’s fueled by the chaos surrounding you!

Perhaps.

Others have probably experienced clutter that made them feel cozy and comfortable. It can be soothing to see all your stuff, strewn about, ready to be assembled, showing off who you are and where your priorities lie. Projects, possibilities, life! All here for you to see, all at once. Your stories, your interests: everywhere. ‘It me.’

These are entertaining arguments.

Something to ask yourself: How are you affected by your clutter?

I believe we’re all affected differently; our minds are different, our goals are different, and our beliefs are different. I’ve had clients hire me for seemingly no reason. I got really nervous that there wasn’t actually anything for me to do. Where’s the mess? I marveled. Other clients have left me feeling totally scrambled; I leave their house but forget my keys or lose my train of thought over and over.

But each person sought help. They were both legitimately bogged down by their clutter, big or small, and they both felt relief after doing the work. We’re all affected differently, including me.

So do some people function better than others amidst the clutter? Absolutely.

Does that mean it’s okay for people to have clutter? Well of course, because clutter is a very natural way of life. Think about the way leaves gather alongside a curb, or how crumbs always line the inner edge of the floor mats in your car. Are these not examples of clutter, too?

But if it’s natural, why does clutter suck? Actually, the better question might be: When does clutter suck?

Well, clutter = lack of movement. Stagnation. Stillness, dust, inertia. And over time, that lack of movement is going to leave you feeling stuck, without creativity, and blocked from receiving fresh, new ideas.

When you leave a pile of stuff for a long period, it literally pulls energy into it, and keeps it. It actually SUCKS energy from you, because this is what the pile is saying to your subconscious mind: “Deal with me, look at me, what are you going to do with me? You’ve forgotten about me! I am important! But you don’t care, what kind of person have you become?!?”

Clutter is a like a big bag of reminders. It’s like your nagging mother, on your ass for not yet doing your chores. It’s like a million post-it’s, written in your own handwriting (in all different colors) but full of unanswered questions and incomplete sentences. So annoying, right? Who can relax?

You know that feeling of possibility after rearranging a room? Or after cleaning a space, or clearing off your desk? Decluttering brings a real, visceral effect to your life. If you’re missing this feeling, you may have reached the point when your clutter sucks.

You can stand it for only so much time.

Take back the control. Get your mojo back! Don’t let clutter suck.

BLOW THAT CLUTTER UP!

I have many suggestions on how to get started on your own, and also offer virtual organizing, so that we can get started together, wherever you are. Moxie Space is located in Austin, Texas for those that prefer that hands-on help. Contact us for more information.

Thanks for reading. Feedback welcomed, always.

xo,
Sara