Tame the Piles, Quiet the Overwhelm
Feeling stuck? Adopt this simple two-step process to reduce overwhelm, rewire stress, and move you forward—one moment at a time
Overwhelm doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it shows up as paper piles you avoid, a fridge full of half-used jars, or the quiet dread of opening a cluttered drawer. If you’ve ever felt stuck in place—mentally, emotionally, or physically—this simple, steady approach is for you. In this post I will walk you through two steps you can take to help you move again… one pile, one breath, one moment at a time.
When I read the section on clearing paper and paperwork in Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I must confess that my eyes started to glaze over. I felt overwhelmed and tired. I couldn’t focus. Her suggestions for how to manage paper clutter were a blur. The only method that made sense to me was “discard everything,” and that was too much for me to process at that moment in time.
This is not her fault. Paper is one of the biggest challenges facing many of us. When I surveyed over ten thousand students, readers, and SpaceClear subscribers, I was struck by how many of them said paper was one of their biggest clutter challenges.
Even I, the veteran space clearing practitioner and teacher with decades of experience, still have way too much paper.
I pushed past my initial blur (aka resistance) and kept reading. When I landed on the part where she talks about credit card statements, warranties, and appliance manuals, I perked right up! This I could handle. And being told that I didn’t have to keep any of it was a complete revelation and a relief.
You mean I can ditch the two years of credit card statements that I meticulously save (for who knows what)?
You mean I can toss the appliance warranties—those scary-looking yellowed papers—that I never filled out (and have long since expired)?
You mean I can throw out the manuals with intricate illustrations on how to install my appliances?
Radical!
So out they went: credit card receipts, warranties, and yellowed manuals for appliances (some of which we no longer owned)—direct into the recycling bin…
Out went the 110 recipes, which I’ve lovingly kept all these years just in case I’m inspired to make brown bread, Orange Julius, or spice sachets.
Not gonna happen. Not. Ever. In. This. Lifetime. 1
…
What’s in your piles?
The two clearing steps below can help move them (and you) along …
beginning with the overwhelm.
(And yes, this can include all that paper packaging that comes with products you order online.)
…
Ahhh 🏡
Simplifying Challenge
What you’ve just read comes from “Tame the Piles, Quiet the Overwhelm,” Chapter 17 of A Year for You — the book we are using to cultivate the five steps to spaciousness.
It’s not too late to join us in this ongoing journey.
The two clearing steps below — with weekly nudges from me, full access to this community and all previous challenges you may have missed — is being made available to paid subscribers.
All for less than $1.15 a week.
Join us!
Taming the Piles
Whether it is the mountain of paper, a closetful of shoes, or the piles of sticky condiments in the fridge, the focus this week is to address the overwhelm that is keeping it, and you, from moving on.
The two clearing steps below are powerful habit changers. They will work their magic on releasing whatever it is that is causing you strain.
But first let’s review what overwhelm is exactly.
What is overwhelm?
