It is easy to accumulate stuff: food, clothes, cleaning stuff, knickknacks, papers and more papers until it fills up our space. It starts out so innocently, one piece at a time, one can or sheet at a time. A stack here, a stack there. Table top piled to overflowing, stuffed cabinets. We do not remember that we have already gotten a few of those things already so believing we might be out, we purchase another one or two. Those corners of stored stuff begins to creep out toward the rest of the living space. Sometimes we just want to scream, run away, shut down or wish we can get a big ole’ dumpster and start tossing.
Looking at all that stuff is 
overwhelming and we just do not know where to even begin. Shuffling one piece to another place, then to another place seems so fruitless, we want to just give up and shut down. In a cartoon way, we halfway expect those humongous piles to come to life overpowering us and even swallowing us up. There may be times we feel we cannot even breathe because our space has become so constricted.
overwhelming and we just do not know where to even begin. Shuffling one piece to another place, then to another place seems so fruitless, we want to just give up and shut down. In a cartoon way, we halfway expect those humongous piles to come to life overpowering us and even swallowing us up. There may be times we feel we cannot even breathe because our space has become so constricted.Where to start? I struggle with papers. Most of my recycling is paper. Taming the paper tiger is a challenge. The thing with papers is that they are so thin; they get noticed when paper creep takes over a lot of places and spaces. My tendency is to get frustrated and just throw it all out, all that stuff, clutter.
Two things I have noticed. One, “hoarding” certain things can be tied to our growing up times. If we grew up in a family that experienced “not enough” food, nice clothes, other stuff (also called material deficit), we may think it gives comfort to know we have enough food even though it will become expired, science experiments or freezer burned. Having all that stuff around us can seem like a comfort. I have found it to be a false type of comfort. It takes up precious space, time, energy and money. It is likely it will have to be tossed, donated or recycled, not being of more immediate use to us. Because I grew up quite poor and we weren’t sure of 
our living conditions, today, I did not want to be in that position again. I have choices. That past can be in control of our purse or wallet.
our living conditions, today, I did not want to be in that position again. I have choices. That past can be in control of our purse or wallet.Also, what is not addressed is that when we let go of something, there may be an element of grief of letting go. It filled a space and served a purpose. There is that emotional connection.
When I noticed that I was making decisions based on my history, I know I can make my decisions now based on the changes in my life circumstances. I can respond and not react. Stop to breathe into present time then decide what I can make for dinner or lunch based on what I can use up before it gets too much older. I still stock up on certain things. I am working on it.
Two, how to work on those piles of stuff. Some people do well by setting the timer to tackle one area. Setting it for 10 – 20 – 30 minute intervals can help make the project more manageable. Or maybe another tactic is to fill two grocery sacks then take them to the trash, recycling or donation. For me, even when I was a kid, I would use the number system. Today, I will put away 47 things. (The key is to handle each item one time, no more than two times to follow through finding its rightful place. It also makes for less work of touching the same thing over and over again, moving it from place to place to its eventual final landing spot.) I found that once I got started, I can add some more items to reduce the piles. Noticing how the piles have gone down and I see the surface of the dining room table can inspire me to keep going.
If this is still so overwhelming, it may be time to ask a friend or find a supportive “coach” to help work through this process so it can be more manageable and you will be more successful in clearing space for what truly is more important in your life. More money, more time, more space. Instead of dreading coming home, look forward to coming home, your sanctuary; a peaceful and cozy space to just be.
One of my happy times is coming home to a clean house. Having a messy space eats up my energy and it is difficult to really relax with a crowded space. It is a gift.
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