Releasing emotional clutter is about letting go of anything that no longer serves us and is not nourishing to our soul. Emotional clutter is often not visible. We might not even be aware of it. It can really weigh us down and keep us from moving forward.
It could be negative thoughts we have about ourselves, limiting beliefs about what is possible and other things like unhealthy relationships, bad habits, addictions, debt and old patterns of behaviour.
Here are some other ways that we hang on
. Ruminating
. Overthinking
. Focusing on the negative
. Worrying about things outside of our control
. Holding onto resentment, past hurt, anger, and sadness
. Keeping a mental to-do list, including our own dreams and goals that maybe we are not pursuing
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on” Havelock Ellis
I love this quote because it is so true.
We want to let go of things yet……..we feel so attached. It feels a bit like a tug of war.
The art of living really speaks to me as we learn and grow every day. Seasons change and so do we.
There are reasons why we want to hold on. So no wonder it is challenging and possibly confusing to make these changes we want to make.
. it’s easier not to let go
. we are comfortable with the way things are
. if I let go then what will that mean for me moving forward
. if I hang on to this emotion, then I don’t have to change
. A fear or worry of the unknown
. I am hanging on because there has not been any closure on the situation
. I cannot let go of this dream that I have had forever even though it may not be realistic any more
There is hope though and often it’s just a matter of looking at things in a different way.
It takes self awareness, being mindful and paying attention to what is going on with our thoughts and beliefs and questioning them. A mindfulness practice can really help as well as writing and journaling. Talking to a trusted friend or mentor, praying, tapping or cord cutting are great tools.
Letting go can mean that you are making room for something new
Give yourself permission to let go
We have the power to let it be – Accept, Forgive and Move on
If you are struggling with physical clutter, it might not just be about the physical stuff. There is usually so much more going on. It is often the emotional clutter that is the culprit and can really be at the root of the clutter. Working on the emotional stuff that comes up will help you to see more clearly and to move the physical clutter. I love to help you to see what lies just beneath the surface of the clutter and how you can move forward.
This is the work that I do with my clients.
Would you like more info on how I can help? Send a quick message to kimtremblay@sympatico.ca and I will get that sent right over to you.
Happy Decluttering!.
I love that quote! I came across it shortly after my dear dog passed away, dealing with the loss while savouring happy memories at the same time.
Although I am always letting things go, I often struggle with items that have an emotional aspect to them. Even when it’s not my stuff!
Hi Janet,
I was just reading some of those paradoxical quotes. Interesting when we notice that we can feel two opposite ways at one time.
Thank you Janet
I love that quote too! What a great way to think about that balance between keeping and letting go. I often see, in couples, that one partner represents each end of the spectrum. Yes, this can create some friction, but it also keeps the couple in balance. If both were extreme on one end, there might be negative consequences.
So true about all the ways we hang on. Many of these habits I recognize!
Seana,
That is so true about couples and fits well with that quote. It really is about balance and compromise too.
Thanks for your comment.
Such a powerful post! I found that writing emotions down and then burning the notes gave me the opportunity to really let something go. Watching the paper burn symbolizes the letting go process. I’ve shared this technique with many of my clients who experience being stuck when decluttering.
Hi Sabrina, I really love that method as well. The practice of getting it down on paper and then watching it burn can be quite powerful.
Thank you for commenting
What a wonderful quote, and, as Sabrina said, a powerful post.
As a professional organizer, I find that eliminating the tangible clutter (especially whatever represents the emotional clutter) offers a running start, but all of the solutions you mention are intriguing options. I’ve never been able to journal, per se, but writing my thoughts out to a friend with whom I share a decades-long email correspondence really helps clarify things.
Sometimes, I find that the more you tell “the story” of the the emotional clutter (the bad experience, the breakup, the loss), eventually you tire yourself out and it withers the emotional connections to the content. Other times, I think we have to find something to replace what we are mourning, if only to keep our brains busy on other thoughts. But we have to face all those reasons you outline so that we can, indeed, let it go.
Finally, I am familiar with all of the options you mention, even tapping, except “cord cutting,” as I’m not sure whether you just mean going cold-turkey on the emotional clutter, or if this represents some particular modality or method.
Hi Julie,
I love how you explain telling the story and letting go of the emotional clutter as it withers away. You sure do have a way with words.
Here is some info about Cord Cutting – it is a way to sever the ties in an emotional relationship https://insighttimer.com/blog/cutting-energy-cords/
thanks for commenting
I agree with you 100% that physical clutter is usually more related to emotional clutter than anything else. In the workshop I gave recently, “How to Let That Sh*t Go,” I talked about letting go of thoughts, time, and things that no longer serve you. The sections were addressed in that order because the thoughts piece is integral to understanding what follows.
Letting go is an essential skill. Without it, knowing what’s important, beneficial, and vital to your success will be difficult, if not impossible.
P.S. I hope you had an enervating time at your Writers Retreat!
Thanks so much Linda – I feel like you are so much like me. I would have loved to hear your workshop. Sounds amazing. Yes, the Writers Retreat was fabulous.