Ebb & Flow of Clutter
Monday, May 9, 2011 at 10:15PM 
When you walk into a space, what do you see? Are the floors and surfaces filled with things? Is the space completely empty? Is it somewhere in between? How does it make you feel? Upon entering, do you feel anxious or relaxed? Is the space welcoming or does it make you want to turn away and leave?
Spaces affect our moods. It has everything to do with what is and isn’t in them. Lately, I’ve been thinking about filling and emptying rooms and how the mood of the space changes with the movement of objects.
Back in the fall, we moved our youngest daughter into her college dorm. Since she was the first to arrive, the suite was empty. No possessions occupied the space. As she unpacked, the space transformed as her belongings took their places. The space continued to fill as each suitemate arrived. Clear areas quickly became cluttered.
Nine months later, spring came as Cassie’s freshman year ended. We went to pick her up. She was the last roommate to leave and was all packed when we arrived. The space, which had been filled by six people, was once again empty. The stuff and clutter was gone.
So, what does this have to do with you? You are probably not moving in and out of dorm rooms. You do, however, have the opportunity to start with a clean slate and consider your spaces. You can think about how you’d like them to look and feel. Are they more cluttered than you want? If so, this can be your time to clear and release. Are you ready for a change? If so, this can be your time to transform your spaces into welcoming, beautiful places.
What can you imagine? Where will you begin?
Linda Samuels, CPO-CD
® is a compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer, coach, author & blogger who facilitates change in others' lives. A revolving door empty-nester, she lives with her husband in a small, colorful home with a purple front door.
Reader Comments (4)
This is an excellent perspective to share with readers. We see spaces that are cluttered and uncluttered on television, as if only a miracle can make this happen! This perspective opens up hope when you feel overwhelmed by any space.
Ellen- Love your response to this post. Thank you for seeing that we each have the power to make decisions, reduce our overwhelm and create spaces that we enjoy.
I love that you talk about transforming a space. While in the moment, looking at a cluttered space can cause feelings of overwhelm. The key is to focus on the transforming - the transformation and the end result you desire. That's what really motivates us to move forward and clear a space! Great post!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments, Natalie. It's true that feelings of overwhelm can prevent us from moving ahead. Choosing to focus on the possibilities of what a transformation can bring, often is a great technique for forging forth.