How To Get Rid Of Emotional Clutter

Decluttering is a process.

Whether it be physical or emotional. At times, the physical decluttering and organizing process is easier than the emotional. It is the emotional clutter that we cling to; that we hold on to and hold on to adamantly. Emotional clutter can weigh us down – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. The emotional clutter can cause us to gain body weight, gain physical/possession weight, and the weight of stress, disappointment, and grief. Bearing all that weight is cumbersome. But not all is lost. There IS HOPE for emotional clutter!

1. One of the biggest things to remember when it comes to getting rid of emotional clutter is that “the stuff is NOT the person.” We often hang on to personal belongings of someone who has passed, and feel we cannot get rid of it because of what they might think. I know it may sound silly reading that, but how many of us fall into that category? Keep something because you ENJOY having it and it brings back good memories – don’t keep it out of guilt that if you got rid of it, you would be getting rid of the person.

2. Toss clothing that you will never fit into again. Saying sayonara to the emotional baggage of feeling overweight, means getting rid of the clothes that are constantly in your face, reminding you of the exact size you are NOT. Accept what you weigh. If you want to make changes, make changes. But don’t guarantee yourself that you will fit into that ONE outfit again. Exercise can change your body drastically and though you may have lost the weight, it still may not fit you. Getting rid of these types of clothes alleviates the pressure to be perfect and reiterates the need to be okay with who we are.

3. Do you collect books and magazines, in hopes of being an expert at “this” subject? Do you keep cookbooks, in hopes of being the next Martha Stewart someday? Often, books and magazines are kept because one hopes to be a certain somebody someday. Though these aspirations aren’t bad in and of themselves, but if you aren’t that person yet, what has to change in order for that TO happen! Owning lots of books doesn’t make you smarter. Most don’t even have the time to invest in what they already enjoy. Don’t wait for the “right” moment. Declutter the books and magazines that you know deep down, you will never get to. This will prevent the guilty feeling – the “you haven’t read me yet” guilt that keepings hanging over you. Get rid of them to get rid of more emotional clutter. You can’t do it all!

4. Get rid of the expensive items that you do not dare get rid of. Sounds simple, but it’s the guilt we have, that maybe we shouldn’t have bought an item in the first place. The guilt of never using it even though it was WAY too expensive anyways, is what we need to let go of. Getting rid of these types of items releases a financial burden and offers a lesson learned. Constantly looking at the item will only bring on more guilt. Let go of it and donate it – claim the donation on your taxes; whatever it takes. Letting go of these items is letting go of that much more emotional clutter.

How do you PREVENT emotional clutter from happening?
1. Who do you want to be? Don’t keep anything that contradicts your values, brings guilt upon you, or that causes negative feelings to arise.

2. What do you need to change, to have a more suitable environment to live in? What do you need to get rid and let go of?

3. If you are having a hard time getting rid of something, take a picture of all of those items and make a book of them. Scrapbook them. Make a digital picture book where you can write a story about each item. Often times it is the memory and story that matters – not necessarily the item.

4. Accept who you are. Much like the first suggestion, it is important to be confident in you. Don’t hang on to the things that people tell you to hang on to (when it comes to memorabilia). Keep what is meaningful to you. If something is not, ask another family member if they would like it instead.

Letting go of the emotional AND physical clutter can do wonders in our attempts to organize life with less. Living with less doesn’t mean just living with fewer physical possessions, but also with fewer emotional burdens.

What is it going to take for YOU to become less emotionally cluttered?