The Link Between Emotional & Physical Clutter (And How to Clear Both)

Ever felt completely overwhelmed in a messy room but couldn’t bring yourself to clean it? Or noticed that when your mind feels chaotic, so does your space? That’s no coincidence. Emotional clutter and physical clutter are deeply connected—and clearing one can help you clear the other.

Why Clutter Affects Your Mind and Body

Think about it: your external environment is a reflection of your internal world. When life feels out of control, it often manifests in piles of laundry, overflowing drawers, and chaotic spaces. BUT, when your home is cluttered, your nervous system can stay in a low-grade state of stress without you even realising it.

Research has shown that clutter can:

• Increase cortisol (the stress hormone), making you feel anxious and overwhelmed.

• Reduce focus and productivity by constantly distracting your brain.

• Make relaxation difficult because your mind associates clutter with unfinished tasks.

• Contribute to feelings of guilt, frustration, or even shame, reinforcing negative emotions.

Trust me - I am looking at me while writing this…

Emotional Clutter: The Invisible Mess

Emotional clutter isn’t as easy to see as a messy countertop, but it can be just as overwhelming. It includes:

• Unprocessed emotions, like grief, anger, or resentment.

• Mental to-do lists that never stop running.

• Old beliefs and thought patterns that no longer serve you.

• Emotional baggage from past experiences or relationships.

Just like a cluttered room, emotional clutter takes up space—limiting your ability to feel peace, joy, and clarity.

How to Declutter Your Mind & Space AT THE SAME TIME

🌱 Start Small – Just like you wouldn’t declutter an entire house in one go, don’t expect to process years of emotional buildup overnight. Pick one small area—your nightstand, a drawer, or your thoughts around a specific topic—and start there.

🌱 Use Essential Oils for Emotional Release – Scents like Lavender, Frankincense, Palo santo and Ylang-ylang can support emotional balance while you declutter your space. Diffusing oils while organising can help keep you grounded. (There are alternative oils for procrastination!)

🌱 Journal Your Emotional Clutter – When you find it hard to focus or feel stuck, take five minutes to write down everything on your mind. Then, rip it up or burn the paper (safely!). This act of release is powerful.

🌱 Declutter in Sync with Your Emotions – If you're holding onto items that bring up negative emotions, ask yourself: Do I actually use this? Does it bring me joy? Or is it just reminding me of a past version of myself I no longer align with?

🌱 Try Massage, Bio-Resonance, or Homeopathy – Your body stores emotional clutter, too. Therapeutic practices can help release stagnant energy and promote emotional healing.

Final Thoughts

Clearing emotional and physical clutter is not about perfection—it’s about creating space for what truly matters. A clear home can support a clear mind, and vice versa. Take it step by step, and soon you’ll notice a shift not just in your space, but in your overall well-being.

✨ What’s one small area—physically or emotionally—you can declutter today? Let me know in the comments!