Clear Invisible Clutter to Reclaim Your Time and Energy

Click below to listen to this post.

When I say “clutter,” what do you picture? Piles of clothes you haven’t worn in ages, a desk swamped with papers, or books bursting off the shelves? Well, clutter isn’t just about the stuff you can trip over—it sneaks into our heads and hearts, too.

Let’s call it “invisible clutter.” It’s a sneaky little monster, but it also brings along a hidden gift—it’s a ticket to some serious self-growth.

What’s this Invisible Clutter Anyway?

Invisible clutter is those not-so-obvious things that clog up our lives.

I’m talking about mental distractions (ever tried to focus with a billion thoughts running around?), unresolved emotions (still mad at that guy who cut you off in traffic three weeks ago?), jam-packed schedules (when was the last time you had a minute to breathe?), info overload (we all love our devices, but c’mon), and those vampire-like relationships that suck the energy right out of you.

Invisible clutter doesn’t take up space in your house, but it sure does hog all the room in your brain and heart, leaving you feeling totally wrung out.

Clearing out this kind of mess isn’t as easy as donating old clothes to charity. You’ve got to dig deep, challenge old habits, and rejig your thinking.

Where to Start?

Where’s the best place to spot your invisible clutter? Your calendar. It’s like a diary of all the things eating up your time.

Look back at last week and check whether your time spent matched your priorities. And don’t forget to think about the people and events that didn’t even make it onto your calendar.

If the answer is “no” — what happened?

Maybe you played superhero a bit too much, always rushing to help others and forgetting about yourself.

Or you committed to so many groups or dinners that you spread yourself thin.

Or your days disappeared into a black hole.

Sure, there are some things in life we gotta do, but you might be stuffing that “must-do” box way fuller than it needs to be.

Spot the Clutter

As you flip through your calendar, jot down what or who you wish you’d spent less time with. This could be anything—a chore, a meeting, a call, or a catch-up with a friend.

What do you wish you could’ve ditched? What could you have done instead? Have you been meaning to do something but just haven’t gotten around to it? It would’ve been great to give some time to that, right?

So, why haven’t you?

Digging into the “Why?”

On the surface, you might just think you’re super busy. But let’s face it, “busy” is often just an excuse. Sure, life gets hectic, but you get to choose what fills your day—for the most part.

Why are you over-stuffing your life? There could be a million reasons—some you might not even be aware of.

Do your goals scare you a bit? Do you feel the need to be liked by everyone?

Does letting someone down freak you out?

Can you say no to a request or invitation if you really don’t have the time or desire?

Still holding onto that old grudge?

All these could be your invisible clutter.

So, what are you trying to shield yourself from? Dig deep to answer this. And then make different choices next week.

Time to Switch Things Up

Now that you’re armed with some new insights, it’s time to plan ahead. What’s lined up for next week that you’re not super excited about?

If you’re not quite ready to cancel anything, at least make sure you book some “me” time. Consider this time sacred and not to be disturbed.

I bet something will come up at the exact time you’ve set aside for yourself. The universe has a funny way of testing us!

Stand your ground. By doing so, you’re telling yourself (and the world) that you’re ready to shake things up because you know it’s time for change. And when you stick to this, you’ll start to trust yourself more.

Baby Steps FTW

As you start juggling your priorities, remember to cut yourself some slack. Messing up a little is part of the process. Any small step you take can make a big difference, and setting boundaries will get easier as you go along.

It’s time to stop waiting for “someday.” Life is a wild ride, and we gotta make the most of it—starting with today!

P.S. If you’d like some compassionate support on your decluttering journey, join me in my online membership community Clutter Clear Your Life. With an assortment of workshops, courses, and weekly live sessions, you’ll find a loving environment for you as you make space in your world for your very best life.