Outer Order, Inner Calm

Our surroundings really do impact how we feel. Think about the difference between being in the bright light of a crazy busy store on Black Friday as compared to stepping into a cool, quiet, dim church or library. It feels different, right? Same goes for our homes. If our “stuff” is cluttered and chaotic, it’s hard to find inner calm.

This week I worked with a client whose cluttered home was adding to their stress in a significant way. The client was struggling with mental health issues, which made it difficult for them to do anything about the chaos in the home. In addition, they noted that the mess prevented them from having friends over, which added emotional isolation. The space wasn’t over the top crazy, but there was plenty of opportunity to declutter, reorganize and use the space in the apartment more efficiently while restoring order. At the end of the job, the client said they were amazed at the difference; the atmosphere made them feel calmer, more efficient storage gave them more space, and they were looking forward to welcoming guests again.

Professional organizer Gretchen Rubin said, “When we look at our stuff, we see a reflection of ourselves. We’re happier when that stuff is in good order and includes things that we need, use and love because that reflection influences the way we see ourselves.” It’s hard to feel good about ourselves when our home is in chaos. Trouble is, when our hearts and minds are in chaos or crisis, it’s hard to care or do much about the external clutter. Sometimes we just need a little help.