What is Clutter Exactly?

As I see it…

• Things that we love, use or need… not clutter.
• Wild, colorful messes… not always clutter.
• If we’ve embraced (made friends with) our piles, our quirky housekeeping habits, our resistance… not clutter.

For some, a wildly messy place can be nourishing; for others it can be jangling, or downright disturbing.

Some people’s places might look beautiful and have all the perfect appointed everything, and still be “cluttered.” Why? If the occupants (present or previous) experience stress, internal pain, suppressed emotions, or do not embrace (feel without personalizing) the issues that are plaguing them, they create a different, more invisible type of clutter that can be even more harmful, if not toxic to themselves, their homes, and the environment at large.

To me it boils down to:

• Are  you happy?
• Are you able to do what makes your heart sing?
• Are you able to feel any emotional weather that arises without judging it as good or bad?

If not, there is probably a little (visible or invisible) clutter getting in the way.

Photo: “Chihuly Glass Flowers” by Stephanie Bennett Vogt