Spring Cleaning: Clutter

​Clutter causes chaotic energy, and for those who resonate as empaths, we should be doing everything within our power to manage our energy.

Most people are not consciously aware of how much clutter affects their energy, but it can cause stress, anxiety, and tension within relationships. Discussions about cleaning, chores, and the chaos of clutter are some of the most common arguments within household relationships. We lose time and patience when we have to search for items instead of immediately finding the object where it's supposed to be. Nothing good ever comes from clutter. 

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In a perfect scenario, everything should have a "home" or a place where it ends up. Having a place to put an item keeps me mindful when I want to bring new things into the house. Unfortunately, clutter is usually just stuff that isn't put away yet, whether groceries, mail, paperwork, clothes, shoes, books or anything else. Clutter can also occur in crowded, small, or untidy spaces like closets, attics, and garages, where we're likely to place things out of sight and remove them from our minds.

Paperwork

​Paperwork and mail are most people's downfall. No one I know (over 12) likes to open the mail. Most mail is either people wanting money or people wanting your time and energy. The most important thing is to have a storage system that suits your needs.

If you're someone who doesn't like to open their mail, one of the easiest things you can do to cut down on clutter is to switch to digital communications. Getting your statements delivered via email is more manageable than filing them away every month. 

I use an accordion file to store any necessary paperwork immediately, especially medical documents. For example, I have a medical file with a section for each doctor and specialist that I see. That way, my paperwork is easily accessible when I need it! 

You can have a separate file for each household member or organize monthly bills and statements. The possibilities are endless and customizable for every person.

​Finding the proper organizational method can give you peace of mind and help to quell anxiety about missing payments or deadlines. 

Bags & Purses

The objects we carry with us daily need more attention than we think. For example, when was the last time you cleaned out your purse? Wallet? Backpack? Briefcase? We tend to hold onto too many receipts, ticket stubs, and random objects that we carry that all retain energy. Do you have little scraps of debris floating around your bag? Wrappers from on-the-go snacks? Empty water bottles? Half-opened pieces of gum now inedible? Old magazines, newspapers, coupons, or advertisements that are expired? Each of these minuscule objects contains energy, and too much unbridled energy creates unnecessary chaos that we're carrying with us each day. 

I used to carry huge purses that I could have efficiently utilized on weekend trips, taking everything I thought I would ever need. I learned the bigger the bag, the more I tried to put in it. The problem was that I could never find anything in the mass of stuff I was carrying. I only cleaned out my purses when I would go to swap them every few months. I've grown accustomed to using smaller bags so I can't fit as much junk in it. 

Cars

Cars have become more than just a method of transportation, with many people using them to work jobs from their vehicles. Whether providing in-home services, delivery of goods, or transportation services, cars are more important than ever. If you're transporting people in your vehicle (Uber, Lyft, etc.), you're exposed to new energy every time someone gets into your car, especially if people leave items such as trash in your car. If you're transporting items, you're also intermingling energy since the items are for someone else. Therefore, it's essential to energetically cleanse your vehicle and detach your energy every time someone gets out of your vehicle. 

Remember, vehicles are small and enclosed spaces, so it's crucial to keep them free of clutter, paper, and garbage! Removing the mess helps avoid energetic distractions and makes being in the car more enjoyable. Try to remove anything that you don't need to have with you! Of course, it's a good idea to have the "just in case" items, especially if you drive long distances or live in cold weather climates; try to keep these things organized and in a compact space. 

Storage Spaces

Did you know that the self-storage industry makes $39.5 billion annually? Of course, there are good reasons to use temporary storage spaces, but most storage units have too much stuff that will never be used. 

Holding onto things with no intention or plan of using them creates energetic blocks. If you're not using or appreciating an object, the energy within it becomes stagnant; much as a dormant house declines quicker. Releasing items that no longer hold value or meaning to you opens up more energetic space around you, making it easier to manifest and bring forth what you want.  

There may be a few more hidden treasures in additional storage spaces like sheds, garages, basements, and attics.

Ask yourself:

• Do you know what is stored in there?
• Do you have a realistic plan to use what is there?
• Is that the best place for it?
• Does anyone want what's there?
• Could it make someone else happy?
• Could it make you money?

Let it Go

Do you have too much stuff? How do you know? After you've thrown out all the garbage, put away all the piles of clean (and maybe dirty) clothes, organized the paperwork, cleaned up the dishes, what's left? What still feels cluttered when you get the basic mess out of the way? For example, clutter may feel like too many objects in a specific space, too many pictures on a wall, or too many knick-knacks on a table. If you see something that doesn't bring you joy or purpose, that's a great way to reassess its presence. ​

Do you have too much stuff? How do you know? Ask yourself a few self-reflective questions:

• Are you surprised when you dig through your closets and drawers?
• Do you find items with price tags still on them?
• Do you locate "long lost" items?
• Do you know when you last used it? 
• Do you wonder when you'll use it again?

If you have too much stuff, let someone else love it! Here are a few ideas of how to get rid of excess items that are cluttering up your space: 

• hold a garage sale
• sell it online via the Facebook marketplace, Craigslist or a resell app such as Poshmark
• donate it (if it's in good condition)
• consign it (if it's worth money)
• have a party to trade items with friends and then donate the unclaimed items (this works great with adult and kid clothes, shoes and accessories!)
• upcycle it (if you're a creative person)
• old and stained clothes can be used for rags and cleaning around the house! 

What tips have you fond useful as it comes to keeping your home and work space clutter free? I would love to hear them in the comments below!!

Love,
​Arielle Sterling