Clutteris anything that drains our energy, gets in our way, or distracts us from our priorities. It can show up in our homes, heads, hearts, and schedules.

Transition times,require that we re-assess what is supporting us and what is clutter. What helps us in one chapter of life may hinder is in another.

Clearing Clutter in the Different Stages of Your Illness

  • Diagnosis: World turned upside down. Probably not a time for major clutter-clearing projects. Time to release obligations, unrealistic expectations, energy-drainers, unasked-for opinions on your treatment, crazy-making people. Flooding yourself with too much information. Too much bad news from the outside world.
  • Treatment: Also probably not a time for major clutter-clearing projects. This is a time for being very picky about what gets your time and attention, releasing taboos about asking for help, releasing perfectionism, releasing some outdated self-images.
  • After Treatment: This may be a time for some major physical clutter clearing. Releasing props and paraphernalia related to your illness as a way of ritualizing your new beginning.

At this stage of my process the objects and papers that drain my energy, get in my way and distract me include:

At this stage of my process the thoughts, beliefs, assumptions, worries, obsessions that would qualify as clutter for me include:

At this stage of my process the emotions that need expression and release include:

At this stage of my process the activities and obligations that drain my energy, get in my way and distract me from my priorities include:

What strikes me most as I read over all that I’ve just written is . . .

To address physical clutter:

  • Make a real date with yourself. Give yourself a beginning time and an ending time. Be realistic about your energy.Choose a small specific area or type of clutter.Only choose clutter-clearing projects that feel doable and will give you a lot of payoff.
  • If possible, get a respectful cooperative helper and then tell them how they can help you most.
  • Give yourself clearly labeled sorting containers. Possible labels would be RELOCATE, STAYS, GIVE AWAY, NEEDS A HOME, EMOTIONAL or when sorting papers RECYCLE, SHRED, READ, PAY, FILE, DO.Other helpful supplies: Bold marker, bright post-it notes, clear zip-lock bags, appointment book or calendar, distraction sheet and timer.
  • USE A TIMER! Spend half the time sorting and the other half following through with the sorted items. You don’t want to be left with more piles. Strive for closure.
  • If there is emotional processing you need to do with things in the EMOTIONAL box, make a separate appointment with yourself for that. It is important to make a distinction between efficient sorting time and slower emotional processing time.

Two journal writing techniques to help you address various kinds of clutter.

  1. It is time to release . . .It is time to make space for . . .
  2. A Letter to Your Clutter and A Letter from Your Clutter

©2013 Carolyn Koehnline, MA, LMHC