Is It Time To Clear The Emotional Clutter?

It's not only the physical clutter in our lives that drains us. We need to purge the emotional clutter as well.

It's not only the physical clutter in our lives that drains us. We need to purge the emotional clutter as well.

Clutter-the stuff that just gets in the way.

Clothes we’re waiting to fit into.

Trinkets that litter every shelf and surface.

Things we purchase because we can’t live without, only to become dust collectors.

Physical items can certainly start to clutter our lives.

Are you holding onto anything that it’s time to let go of?

Clearing out the physical clutter is muy importante. For tips on how to free yourself from clutter, read this.

There is also another kind of clutter we hold onto that tends to be more detrimental.

I am talking about our mental and emotional clutter. The negative thoughts, anxieties, regrets, self-doubt, and unexpressed emotions that hold us back. The emotions and thoughts we collect over the years that only end up getting in our way.

The beliefs and ideas we hold onto that just don’t serve us anymore.

Just like the physical clutter, the emotional clutter starts to take its toll. It begins to suffocate us.

[Tweet “Just like physical clutter, emotional clutter can start to take its toll.”]

And just like the physical clutter, the only ways to get rid of the emotional clutter are to find a place for it or make peace with it and let it go.

And guess what darling? This emotional clutter will hold you back. It will stifle your creativity, your productivity, and it will keep you from being all you were meant to be.

If you haven’t been able to reach your goals, chase your dreams, maintain healthy relationships, or truly love yourself, it may be because you’re hanging onto too much crap.


Two years ago my brother, sister and I went on a vacation together. This was the first time the three of us had been alone together for any significant amount of time since our mom died over 20 years ago. I know sad, right? If you want to read more about this and how that trip changed us for the better, click here.

My siblings were quite young, just 18 and 20, when our mom died. Subconsciously, being 6 and 8 years older, I felt compelled to slip into my mom’s shoes and take on the role of pseudoparent. For many complicated and painful reasons, this was extremely difficult and took a toll on my relationship with my siblings, especially my brother.

The vacation we took together was a pivotal moment for me. It allowed me to finally see them as who they are, not who they were. I was able to give myself permission to just be their sister and let go of the pressure I had put on myself. I no longer had to feel responsible for their well-being. I was able to look at them as the capable adults they had grown to be, not the young adults who I felt needed my guidance all those years ago.

This was my mental clutter that I had been clinging to for 20+ years. I finally realized I didn’t need to hold onto it any longer. I could finally be free.


If we are to become all we are meant to be, we must let go of our mental and emotional clutter. Things that may have been necessary at some point, but that just no longer serve us.

[Tweet “If we are to become all we are meant to be, we must let go of the things that no longer serve us.”]

We need to recognize what is holding us back and weighing us down.

What does your emotional clutter look like?

  • Is it the limiting beliefs you tell yourself like, “I could never do that.”
  • Is it your inner critic saying, “You’ll never be able to reach your dreams.”
  • Is it anxiety or worry about what might happen?
  • Is it a toxic relationship?
  • Is it regret over unfinished business?
  • Is it an emotion that you’ve been keeping inside and haven’t expressed?

Figure out what is cluttering your mind and heart. If you’re not sure, ask yourself. Dig deep. Listen to your inner voice – h/she always has the answers. If you have a hard time hearing your inner voice, here’s my quick and dirty guide to help you.

Once you are able to identify what mental clutter needs to be tossed out, you need a plan. You need a strategy because this kind of clutter never goes quietly.

Once you have decided what emotional clutter needs to be cleared and have taken action, it is important to not allow these things to take up valuable space in your mind and heart in the future.

This isn’t easy. Here are some things that can help:

  • Journaling
  • Meditating
  • Being with people who nourish you
  • Speaking up and not holding onto unexpressed emotions.
  • Making time to care for yourself. (Sign up for my 31 Days of Self-Care Guide.)
  • Telling yourself at the end of each day how awesome you are and all the ways you kicked ass!

I especially like that last one. 🙂

Don’t let the emotional clutter that you’ve been storing in your sacred spaces keep you from all you were destined to become.

[Tweet “Don’t let your emotional clutter keep you from living. Let that shit go.”]

Let that shit go! 🙂

For more ways to make the most of your one precious life, sign up below for my monthly newsletter!

Salty Kisses,


16 responses to “Is It Time To Clear The Emotional Clutter?”

  1. “Let that shit go” has become a mantra as I’ve gotten older. Whether it’s physical clutter or emotional stuff (including toxic people), letting go of what doesn’t work is just so liberating. And success breeds success–once you start doing it and realize how good it feels, it becomes easier to keep it up. Great post!

    • I totally get that Roxanne . . . the older I get the more it resonates! Or maybe I am just more ready to apply it! I agree-once you start purging items that no longer “fit,” things or people, it gets easier and is freeing! Thank you so much for taking time to comment! 🙂

  2. This post is wonderful, Karen. So inspiring and full of helpful information. I have so much emotional clutter going on right now that I’m feeling super overwhelmed. Trying to work through it all now and it hasn’t been easy. I often think that my emotional clutter is holding me back from so much. Thanks for sharing this. Always enjoy your posts!

    • Ah Alicia, you’re so sweet. I appreciate you taking time to read and comment on my posts. I am glad it can help a bit and I hope you find a way to work through everything. When all else fails, just breathe! 🙂 Take care!

  3. I’ve found that so many individuals do not even realize they have emotional clutter in their life. Sadly, it has often been there for so long that it isn’t recognized as something that needs to go. Loved your points!

    • Thank you Sheryl I really appreciate all your support! It’s true, some people have become so used to the emotional clutter, they don’t even know it’s blocking the door! 🙂

  4. Hi Karen–I just discovered your space thanks to Anne @ Love the Here and Now, and am so happy I did! I just cleared out some physical clutter today (I’m moving in two weeks– no better time, to assess and adjust, right?), but I could definitely use these emotional clutter tips too. Thank you for sharing!

    • Thank you for stopping by! Yes-moving is the perfect time to purge the clutter. The physical stuff is easy, it’s the emotional clutter that gets tricky! Thank you for your comment! 🙂

  5. Beautiful post Karen. And so needed. The options you offer are all so great, and useful. As a life and business coach, with an underlying theme of self-love, this really speaks to my heart. Thank you.

  6. It’s so true and resonate so well within me! I really like your post! And like Roxanne said “Let that shit go” is a useful mantra! I never thought of it before but definitely think that I should start using it 🙂

  7. This post came at exactly the right time. After my ‘beer and bubbly’ evening with my man went south because I had to release all my pent up emotions to him in a storm of tears. Ugh. And I keep doing it. Sitting today I realised that it’s my emotional baggage that keeps tripping me up and I take it out on him.

    Thanks for your post – it’s definitely making me stop and sort shit out before it permanently affects the most important relationship in my life.

    • We all do that Yadah, I think you are just ahead of the game because you realize it! Thank you so much for your honest and real comment! I am glad this post came at a good time for you. And just so ya know, that’s when my emotions come flooding out too-after the beer and bubbly! 🙂 Hang in there!