Decluttering for Joy and Ease

We’ve been talking a lot lately in the community about the importance of decluttering for our wellbeing. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know KonMari consultant and decluttering expert, Rebecca Jo Rushy who gently guides people through the sorting of belongings to create space for joy, ease and flow in their lives.

I personally find clutter to be overwhelming. I can’t think straight, lose my focus, become irritated, forget where I put things and become extremely frustrated being in a crowded space. Not only is clutter mentally draining, it’s also very unhelpful for those with allergies to things like dust and mold. In a nutshell, clutter can impact every aspect of our energy.

I’ve been really inspired by Rebecca’s teachings as they focus on what is manageable, working through categories rather than by room. If we so start with a room, we can still use the categories to sort through what we own. It’s suggested that we start with clothing, followed by books, paperwork, miscellaneous and sentimental items.

Decluttering is tiring work and can leave us feeling quite fatigued so it’s important not to push too hard to get things done. I have a very small room in my home that is full of buckets and boxes of ‘stuff’ that have been piled up for a very long time. It’s embarrassing that I don’t even know what’s in half of these containers so there’s definitely the need to create some change.

The ‘stuff’ we choose to hang on to often says a great deal more about our motivation than the physical items themselves. Sometimes it’s just easier to shut the door rather than deal with it all or face the guilt we may feel when deciding to give things away. It’s also hard to part with things that have been with us ‘forever’.

I’ll be definitely asking what brings me joy when deciding what to keep. I’m sure I’ll have a laugh at some of the things unearthed but I know how much better I’ll feel with more space available. I’m not a ‘minimalist’ but there is only so much one requires to meet their daily needs. I find that clutter really detracts from a house feeling like a home. A home holds space for people to relax and restore, neither of which are easily achieved when surrounded by clutter.

When we start to clear space, we welcome in creativity, inspiration and calm. Our nervous systems start to settle and we feel ‘less on edge’ all the time. We start to ‘soften’ as we learn to let go of scarcity thinking and the everyday stressors that we grasp so tightly. The overwhelm starts to shift and energy gradually returns.

As I’m working my way through things, I’m sharing my gratitude for all that I am and all that I have and I’m finding joy in amongst all the sorting. I’m in no disillusion of what’s in front of me and I’m sure there will be more than a generous dose of frustration experienced but I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do in the space and how it will feel when finished.

Thank you, Rebecca for your insights and support 💗

Visit sparkjoyandflow.com to find out more about Rebecca and her decluttering practice.

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22nd August 2024, Andrea Weber, Expansive Happiness®
Video by Andrea Weber.