Empty space in a home is more than absence of stuff. It's a small sanctuary. A well of positive energy. A silent invitation to peace.

When clutter takes over, that space gets bogged down and heavy.

My own bedroom, is often a chaotic jumble of papers, scattered laundry, and belongings. It's a mess, but it's my mess. I know where everything is. There is no filth. That's different. But, mess, yes.

I'm learning and getting better. I notice more how people engage with their 'stuff' and how it shapes their world.

I've observed this since I was a teenager. I had wealth hoarder grandparents, who after their death, they left behind messes that have taken years to clean. Some of those messes still exist and have been rocked by flood damage.

Stuff holds such a grip on many of us. Examining that grip has me reeling.

I have in the past help people clear out storage and rental units when they have had unexpected life transitions. I have gotten thousands of dollars of free items in lieu of payment for this service. Whenever I have space to help with this, I do. Then my goal changes to finding forever homes for these really cool abandoned items.

I don't have any special skillsets around this, except that I know how to let go of my own things, and I have no emotional attachment to other people's stuff.

Whether you are facing an eviction or unexpected move, I believe tidying up our messes is a way to prioritize ourselves and engage in self-love.

There is always a story behind each item, especially when it escalates to hoarding. Our stuff is deeply emotionally tied. A piece of furniture or memento can represent grief and loss, relationship and family issues, and joy of the past. These issues do not get solved in a few hours of organizing. But they come to the surface in that time, and pull focus away. That's how you get stuck.

So how can you ditch the junk, while honoring what the junk represents? The fear of letting go and aversion of difficult emotions stops many from cleaning their homes. Conquering clutter is one pathway to loving life again. And yet, I'm stuck with a visual manifestation of complete mess, that is showing what I am avoiding in my life.

Avoiding confrontation of pain can persist for years, decades, beyond death. It's like someone passed away in the room. My mess is a mirror I do my best not to look at.

Reframing the situation, and being able to channel the stagnant energy, brings so much open space for blessings in my life. In a day, I can remove the drain on my energy and quality of life. But most days, I choose not to. Living in that chaos is easier and more comfortable than the clean up. But it's on my list.

So, where do you start? Let’s begin with some simple exercises:

1. Gratitude Practice: What are three elements of your life you are thankful for?
2. Spread Kindness: Share a kind message with somebody today, in person or over email.
3. Celebrate Wins: Did you clean a corner of your space today? That's wonderful and I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work. 4. Emotional Support: If an item brings up difficult emotions, talk to someone about it. I avoided cleaning an entire pile of crap, 99% of it I had no desire to keep, because buried in it was my late dog's fetch stick. When I found that all I could do was cry all day.
5. Daily Progress: Big changes happen with a few steps each day.
6. Visualize Peace: What would your space feel like once cleaned? What would it look like?
7. Share and Reflect: Give a meaningful memento as a gift to someone you care about. Tell them what it means to you.
8. Identify the Irritation: What is the biggest painpoint in your life unresolved junk brings up?

There are many tools online that can be helpful, such as the Clutter Hoarding Scale. Recognize your limits, and seek professional help when needed.

Clutter has this uncanny ability to multiply. That can lead to overwhelm, shame, and frustration. When we start to identify what doesn't serve us, we can begin to remove distractions and prioritize what we value most.

What room do you spend the most time in? What bothers you there? Was it always like this? These questions can help regain control over our lives. As Marie Kondo says, “Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order.” Choose what sparks joy, so you can live your best life. Taking care of your possessions is self-care.

It's not just about tidiness for visitors; it’s about creating a space that sparks joy for you and changes your life forever. It’s about identifying your values and what you truly want to do with your life, and never again relapsing into clutter.

Tidying is not cleaning. Tidying is about objects. Cleaning is about dirt. Tidying is a confrontation with ourselves, a process of ordering our minds and purifying our spirit.

"Take photos while each room is still a mess." It might seem strange, but capturing the chaos provides an objective view and a baseline. As you progress, these photos will show how far you've come, fueling your motivation to continue.

The journey to a clutter-free life is a journey to clarity, self-discovery, and joy. It’s about creating a space that reflects your values and supports your dreams. It's about finally embracing the empty space and all the potential it holds.