http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-clutter-affects-you.html
How Clutter Affects You
Adapted from Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston.
Most people have no idea how much their clutter affects them. You may actually fondly believe yours to be an asset, or at least a potential asset, after it has been sorted through and organized. It is only when you start clearing it out that you will realize how much better you feel without it. Here are some effects to watch for:
Having Clutter Can Make You Feel Tired and Lethargic
Most people who have clutter say they can’t find the energy to begin to clear it. They constantly feel tired. But the stagnant energy that stacks up around clutter actually causes tiredness and lethargy. Clearing it frees up the energy in your home and releases new vitality in your body.
Having Clutter can Keep You in the Past
When all your available space is filled with clutter, there is no room for anything new to come into your life. Your thoughts tend to dwell in the past, and you feel bogged down with problems that have dogged you for some time. Clearing your clutter allows you to begin to deal with your problems and move forward. You have to release the past to create a better tomorrow.
Having Clutter Can Affect Your Body Weight
A curious fact I have noticed over the years is that people who have lots of clutter in their homes are often overweight. I believe this is because both body fat and clutter are forms of self-protection. By building layers of fat or clutter around yourself, you hope to cushion yourself against the shocks of life, and particularly against emotions you have difficulty handling. It gives you the illusion of being able to control things and prevent them from affecting you too deeply. But this is an illusion.
Having Clutter Can Confuse You
When you live surrounded by clutter, it is impossible to have clarity about what you are doing in your life. When you clear it, you get fewer colds, you can think more clearly, and life decisions become easier. Being clear of clutter is one of the greatest aids I know to discovering and manifesting the life you want.
Having Clutter Can Affect the Way People Treat You
People treat you the way you treat yourself. So if you value yourself and look after yourself, people will treat you well. If you allow the junk to mount up around you, you may attract people who mistreat you in some way because subconsciously you will feel that it is what you deserve.
Having Clutter Can Make You Feel Ashamed
Perhaps you have reached the stage where your home is so cluttered and such a mess that you are ashamed to invite people over and positively panic if anyone turns up unannounced. You can live in lonely isolation with your junk, but wouldn’t you prefer to have a good clear-out, repair your self-esteem, and regenerate your social life with confidence?
More from Annie B. Bond (3247 articles available)
Go to the Source
Clear Your clutter With Feng Shui
Clutter is stuck energy that has far-reaching effects physsically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Karen Kingston, pioneer of a branch of Feng Shui known as Space Clearing, expertly guides you through the liberating task of clutter clearing.buy nowrelated stories
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34 comments
add your comment »Great article! I am NOT a clutter-bug for all the reasons stated but I feel like it affects me in so many negative ways. So I am an organizer; keep it simple. I do believe in feng shui and employ its teaching in my living spaces. Remarkable- it works for me.
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Three things that can help immediately are:
1--Make a list of what you really need. Perhaps enter "100 Thing Challenge" in your browser. The 100 limit is arbitrary, the
number you actually use is up to you. Put this list on excel or similar spreadsheet program because you'll be changing it and often reducing the number of things.
2--Don't pay for stuff that isn't on the list. (If it's something you "must have", put it on the list.) In time, you may be surprised to discover that you are spending a lot less money and have a lot less clutter.
3--Pick any single-digit number--your favorite number or personal number or life number is fine. Resolve to get rid of this number of things each day. ("Get rid of" can include pitching it, putting it in a box for charity pick up or yard sale, or for some things, eating it or using it up.)
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Thank you to Nan Betz in March. Will try to find help and thank you for your feedback Nan. I just found your comment today. Thank you for taking the time to share with me. Take care, Linda
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for this article on clutter. My problem of clutter is I'm going to have a garage sale 'soon' or I have to check this our for antique value, such as old books, or I can't throw that birthday or Christmas card away from family or friends and even ex-hubby who has since passed away, so I stack it in boxes in an extra closet, room and garage. However, I have called good will and let them have clothes and a few items, but just can't seem to part with rest of the items I mentioned even after reading this story. How do I as they say, let go or should I?
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Clutter has impacted on my life as far back as I can remember. It's like i never had the time and energy to sort it out. It was overwelming and any effort I put in just reverted back to the mess it was before. It made me so ashamed and has impacted on the relationships of people around me. But I am slowly undergoing a change. Each day I thow away ONE item (actually it's hard to throw away just one when you get started but that's the only rule I have). I focus on one drawer, a shelf then another and another. I am focusing inside my cupbaords because for me that is where the problem lies. My useful and loved items have no home because the cupbaords are crammed with who knows what. Stuff I might need one day. Stuff I used to use but don't any more. Sometimes it's just pure rubbish. I am now 20% done. I feel so much lighter it's amazing. I am eating better. pampering myself more. Feeling more confident. All because of 10 mins or so per day. This will now be a lifetime habit. If anyone needs me to hold their hand through the process let me know.
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Linda, I just now am reading this. I suggest you call a local church or agency & tell them what you said here. Ask for help! There are plenty of folks who can assist you and organizations who can find you help for a reasonable cost. OR try pleading your case to Social Welfare folks. Do you have friends? Keep asking til you get what you need! Nan also from MI.
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Heeeeeelp,
I've never been a good housekeeper, but having Multiple Sclerosis and how it has impacted my brain, has caused me to wind up with terrible clutter; that reminds me of the way my brain is functioning. It isn't that one cannot walk around as some people have been shown with this problem, but it is bad, I don't know where to start; and feel very overwhelmed. My body is weak, have fatigue, and all I can do are the most obvious tasks around the house daily if able to. It is important for me to lessen this clutter load for I hope to move from here to an area that would be more comfortable in the summertime.
Does anyone have any suggestions please? Being on SSI due to not being able to work, I also have limited funds; so to pay a huge amount to change the situation is not possible. I will welcome any and all suggestions.
Thank you for taking the time to read this whomever does.
Linda Farmington Hills, MI
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Thank you for the article. I have always had problems accumulating clutter and like you say in your article, clutter effects how you feel. The more it accumulates, the harder it is to get motivated to clear it. You just feel tired and defeated. I am trying to change and the more open uncluttered space I have, the more at peace I feel. Your article is good motivation.
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This is a great post Annie! It especially made me stop and think when you mentioned clutter as a form of self-protection. I realized that about my weight not too long ago---but I will definitely think about this concept some more---I believe you are right! I'm glad I stumbled across this...thanks!
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Well Annie, all those statements are VERY true and it is easy to forget how important it is to eliminate it. I thank you for the reminder. :-)
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