Oftentimes, when we think about clearing clutter, the first things that come to mind are the physical objects in our spaces that we can easily see. Having a space, especially a home, that is open, free-flowing and supports our goals and dreams is essential to creating and mirroring balance and ease in our lives. Just as impactful, though, are those things that clog our energy that we cannot see.
I am a firm believer that this non-physical clutter (or energy blocks) does manifest itself as physical clutter in our spaces. So, what is this invisible clutter? Let’s discuss some of the more common types of invisible clutter and what we can do about them.
The To-Do List: What does your To-Do List look like right now? Does it have a few items on it? Is it an ever-growing pages long list? Or somewhere in between? When our To-Do list becomes unmanageable, it tells us that life is unmanageable, that it’s impossible to get things done, or that we just have too much to do. By not getting things completed on the list, we also give subconscious various messages. Some of these messages could be that I do not keep my commitments to myself, that I don’t finish what I start, or that I’m not able to get things done.
To Keep the To-Do List manageable, take a look at how long different tasks have been on the list. If something has been there more than three months, ask if it really needs to be completed. Does it need to be completed by you, or can it be delegated? Do you need to ask for support (paid or unpaid)? If the item is necessary and needs to be completed by you, make a commitment to get it done. Would it be supportive to break the task down into smaller steps? Is there a way to incorporate it into another task? And is there a way to make the task a more joyful or fun one? Release all judgments about why it hasn’t gotten done up to this point, forgive yourself for those judgments and open up a path forward.
Time Clutter: To take a look at time clutter, examine your calendar (if you keep an accurate one). If not, take a few days to write down how you spend your time throughout the day. How much of your time is spent on things that do not bring joy into your life? Have you committed yourself to activities that are not in alignment with your goals and intentions? Are there things that you once enjoyed that are still on your list out of guilt, obligation, or another reason? If you continue to do these things while holding thoughts or emotions about them that are not in alignment with the actions you are taking, you are not honoring yourself.
Make a list of all the things that you committed yourself to. Decide which ones you will continue to do, which ones add value to your life and which ones are part of larger commitments. Are there things there that you can ask for support with or delegate? Can you reschedule some of the commitments to different times so that your day flows with more grace and ease? Before taking on any more commitments, take a pause. If someone asks you to do something or go somewhere and you know immediately that you do not want to add it to your calendar, simply say “No.” If you are unsure, tell them you need to check your calendar and get back to them. Each time we say yes to something, we are saying no to something else. Please do not pressure yourself to get everything done for everyone. Honor yourself and trust yourself.
Relationship Clutter: Relationship Clutter can come in varied forms as well. Relationship clutter can result from holding onto emotions from events of the past that block us from living fully and moving forward in our relationship with ourselves and with others. Are you holding onto a relationship out of obligation or guilt? Are your relationships balanced and loving? Are there things that you feel you need to say but are holding back out of fear? Are there emotions from past hurts, disappointments or other occurrences that are blocking moving forward in your relationships?
Examining our lives for relationship clutter is a perfect time to examine our relationship with ourselves because everything else is a reflection of that. Are there things that you need to clear up with yourself? Take some time to reflect on and bring these things up for clearing and forgiveness. We also need to examine how supported we feel in our relationships. Are there toxic relationships in our lives that we are being called to completely release? How can we enhance our relationship with ourselves?
Digital Clutter: One thing that many times goes unnoticed as clutter is digital clutter. Take a look at your cell phone. How many apps, photos and documents do you have on your device? Do the same for your computer and look at the documents, emails, and other items there. Do you need all of those items? How easy is it for you to find what you need quickly? How often do you reference the items there? I encourage you to take some time to delete (release) old contacts, emails and other documents that you do not access often. This can also apply to your social media. Everything in our energetic field that is unused and that we are holding negative feelings towards blocks the flow of energy in our lives.
Reflect on the beauty and perfection of all things in nature. Nature moves through cycles and is in a consistent state of giving and receiving, growing and releasing. Holding onto things that are not useful, that we do not love, that we do not use all block the flow of giving and receiving and the natural cycles of our own lives.
Holding onto non-physical clutter can be equally as disruptive as holding onto physical clutter. While it may not be as easy to see, it is still in our energy fields. It still reflects blocked emotions and creates imbalance in our lives. The energy of clutter is constantly sending us messages about ourselves and how we feel about ourselves.
I encourage you to take some time to examine all forms of invisible clutter in your life. Set intentions on what you desire to experience in your life and release everything that does not support alignment of your thoughts, emotions and actions.
