There’s More to Clutter Than Meets the Eye
Clutter is not what you think. And then maybe it is.
Here’s what I’m wondering…
Are you wearing something right now that you don’t love, that doesn’t flatter you, or that doesn’t fit perfectly? Do you groan or cringe every time you walk into your home or office? Do you wake up in the morning worrying about your to-do list? Do you feel guilty when you take time to do something for yourself?
Are you surrounded by clutter everywhere you turn—junk piling up beside the back door, newsletters filling your inbox [hopefully not mine LOL], unprocessed thoughts and emotions crowding your mind and body at every moment of the day? Does your fight-or-flight response get triggered just by walking in your front door?
That was just the warm-up.
Here’s what I really want to know: Did any of these questions elicit a physical reaction of any kind? An eyebrow raise? Constricted breathing? A gulp or a nervous laugh? An impulse to cringe, manage the situation, or bolt?
Were you aware of a change in your energy level? Were you aware of how the room feels?
Were you aware of yourself being aware?1
Yes, that’s what I’m wondering.
And PS, the point isn’t to feel bad or go into spasms of self-blame if any of these questions activate you. The point is to feel into the activation. With awareness. And spacious detachment.
Ahhh yes, awareness. It changes everything. 🏡
Coming up next: Part 2: What is Spaciousness?
Let’s open up the conversation…
For those of you who are paid subscribers, I will be posting wonder questions on various topics for us contemplate and discuss together over on Chat in the Substack App.
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Excerpt from Chapter 1 — “Four Levels of Clutter,” Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are (10th Anniversary Edition) by Stephanie Bennett Vogt © Hierophant Publishing, 2023
I purchased "A Year to Clear" several years ago. It changed my life in a profound manner. I have accomplished so many activities, including clearing, removing clutter, tackling seemingly insurmountable projects, just from what I learned from this wonderful year of teaching. Thank you!
7 years ago I would have gotten knots in my stomach - but I’ve been reading your books and taking your courses since then. NOW I just got home from visiting our son and his wife in the Sierras. I felt present the entire trip- able to enjoy and be there- and then when we walked in to our home last night after a 6 hour drive I was able to feel a welcoming spaciousness- a true feeling of “welcome home” and I am grateful to you for all of it!