Earlier this week, I posted my video about the cost of clutter. The central theme of the video was about how clutter leads to stress, overwhelm and anxiety.
We often see this in our work while we are downsizing and decluttering someone’s home and property after years of collecting and storing items they haven’t used in years. As we open up boxes of dust-covered books or sort through bedroom closets of clothes that no longer fit, the physical response to the emotional pain of letting go is very apparent.
Breathing increases as their heart rate goes up; their mouth gets dry and they have a hard time talking; they feel weak and they need to sit down.
It’s all very taxing especially when the amount of stress and overwhelm is very high.
Every day clutter has a compound effect that triggers very similar responses to stress, anxiety and overwhelm.
Clutter is not only the physical stuff in our lives; it is also the clutter in our schedules because we are being pulled in so many directions, having so much to do with not enough time to do it; clutter is also the financial strain we feel when we have excess debt or we are struggling to make ends meet financially; clutter is also the shame and pain we feel from being overweight or if we are dealing with an addiction. Clutter is all around us and the cost of the stress it causes is very damaging.
Here are some known effects of stress:
• Loss of hair
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Muscle and join pain
• Lower back pain
• Nervous tics
• Indigestion
• Ulcers
• Irritable colon
• Skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis
• Mouth ulcers
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Menstrual disorder
• Vaginal infections
• Impotence
• Premature ejaculation
The only way to reduce the effects of stress and overwhelm is to simplify and let go.
1. Simplify your life by eliminating the things in your life that are toxic, that hurt you, that no longer serve you, or that you no longer need use or want.
2. Start in an area of your life where it’s easiest and begin letting go. Say no to the things you don’t want and yes to the things that you do.
You don’t have to continue to live in clutter and having too much of the wrong stuff in your life. Begin to take back control of your life and simplify, let go and move forward.
Need help? Contact me! I’m here to help.
If you need further help with this, be sure to reach out to me. I offer private one-on-one counselling/planning/coaching sessions and my teams at both Moving Forward Matters and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can help.
You don’t have to continue to suffer because of the clutter in your life. We are here to help.
