What You See

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”  Henry David Thoreau

How many times have you looked at that pile, or is it a room full, of clutter?  What do you see?  Unfinished work?  Memories too burdensome to weed through?  Stuff you can’t deal with, like papers, photos, or clothes? 

Whatever it is, self-deprecating, self-denigrating, critical thoughts light up like a Christmas tree inside most of us.  You may not be aware of them because they are so deeply buried inside.  Those thoughts have a way of blinding and binding your gentle, vulnerable, compassionate self.  Most of us quickly avert our eyes and think of something more pressing, more pleasant, or more peaceful to address. 

Change Your Perspective

But, what if you were to look at that pile or room in a different way?  What if you were to drop the self-judgment and try to understand that there are/were reasons the clutter appeared?  Usually, the item, later termed as clutter, is something that’s going to take time, thought or energy to deal with—time, thought or energy you don’t have to give at that moment you put the item or items down.  Dealing with it may even feel onerous.  Of course, the more onerous it feels, the less likely you are to address it.  So, items accumulate, and the pile grows with a heavy, dense energy.    

What’s important, though, is that you felt you couldn’t deal with it.  That’s the root of the issue.  Many organizers claim it’s irrelevant to explore that issue—just focus on the stuff.  I disagree.  Yes, you can clear out the stuff.  You can organize the stuff.  You can donate the stuff, but guess what?  The stuff will reappear.  Maybe not that week, or that month, but it will return because the root of the issue hasn’t been dealt with.

Be Kind

Perhaps the first step is to be gentle with yourself.  There are issues at play—some trauma, loss, upset, or disturbance that causes you to say “No!” to putting things away, dealing with whatever is lying in that pile.  Admit there is something that’s blocking you from clearing the way.  Then, start slowly handling the items in your pile.  Maybe only one or two at first.  Take definitive action with those one or two items.  Hang up that coat.  File that piece of paper.  Pay that bill.  Then call it a day. 

Instead of seeing the remaining pile of stuff, take consolation in your taking action. You started the process. Commit to doing it again tomorrow.  As you do this, be open to what thoughts come up for you.  Maybe you’ll get insight as to what issue is causing the clutter.  Let go of the judgments and harsh words you splatter on yourself.  Replace them with congratulations.  You took a step in taking care of yourself.  Don’t look at the static clutter, rather see yourself moving in a positive direction, because you are.