Hidden Clutter

I finally got into my office today to do some real cleaning. And when I say “real cleaning” I mean I tackled the file cabinet drawers and files, as well as the book shelves and every place else I was storing stuff. As I stood over my shredder shredding old tax return forms, paid bill stubs, and statements I took a look around my office. It really didn’t look much different than it always had. But my cleaning had produced at least two large trash bags (I’m talking the big green bags) of stuff. I thought to myself ‘hidden clutter’. And then I had an epiphany and smiled to myself. Just as my office, which looked clean and tidy on the outside, was harboring quite a bit of hidden clutter, I wondered: How many of you are carrying around hidden clutter behind your neat and tidy exterior?

There is a belief that when your office is cluttered, it is difficult to think. I know for a fact that I am much more creative and focused when my office doesn’t feel like it is closing in around me. And it just feels lighter. My office hidden clutter was in the form of bills, statements, magazines, torn out magazine pages, knick knacks I had collected that I had no idea what to do with, and various forms of mail. But when I ask about your hidden clutter I’m speaking of emotional and mental clutter such as shame, guilt, limited thinking, disappointments, unchangeable situations that play over and over in your mind, bad habits, lies, regret, or anything else that takes your thoughts away from a future with unlimited possibilities, and anything that keeps you from being able to clearly see the opportunities that each day presents to you.

The very nature of clutter is that it is IN THE WAY! I am always trying to implore my daughter to clear a path to her bed so at night, if something were to happen, I would be able to get to her without being hindered (or injured) by the piles of dolls and toys she keeps spread deep and wide at her doorway. I ask her, “How am I supposed to get to you?” This is the same question your amazing life is asking you. “How am I supposed to get to you if you’ve littered the pathway with clutter?” And make no mistake about it, there is an amazing life out there waiting for you. Waiting to get to you. Waiting for you to clear out the clutter.

But here you are. You’re waking up every day, getting dressed, going out and putting on a good face for the public. You’ve got a good job. You can pay your bills and put food on the table. You’ve got dreams and goals, and you’re hopefully working toward an amazing future. But (pause for dramatic effect) there seems to be something in the way because for YEARS you have been thinking about and talking about a life that always seems to be just out of your reach. Well, you’re absolutely right. There is something in the way. It’s your hidden clutter. Even though you tell yourself you’re doing all the right things, you know the truth. You know there is clutter hanging around that, although you’d like to convince yourself it’s not that big of deal, is keeping your blessings from being able to reach you.

Is there a situation you need to deal with once and for all? Is there a conversation that needs to happen? Do you need to finally forgive yourself, or someone else? Is there someone you need to pull closer, or put more time and energy in to? Is there someone you need to let go of? Is there a memory that needs to be left in the past? Is there a difficult person or situation that needs acceptance? Do you need to stop being afraid and playing it safe? Do you need to finally be brave enough know the truth about something, or tell the truth to someone else (this includes yourself)? From whom or what is it time to “move on”? Are there habits you need to change? Are there emotions – self-doubt, fear, shame, guilt, insecurity – you need to conquer? Is there someone you need to stop trying to please? What is YOUR hidden clutter?

Until the hidden clutter is cleared away, it will continue to sit there and be in the way. It will sap your energy, take your focus off of what truly needs and deserves it, and continue to keep the amazing life that seems to be just out of your reach – out of reach. Sometimes we hope great things will happen for us even if the effort we’re willing to put forth is minimal or safe. But the universe dictates that you only get out of something what you’re willing to put into it. So be brave enough to take the difficult step to, once and for all, break out the shredder and get rid of the hidden clutter. I guarantee you that what seemed difficult in the beginning will yield a bright and wonderful reward. You just can’t see it, yet, because of the clutter.