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Buying things you don’t really want or need can create new problems when you begin to run out of space to store it all.
The state of a person’s purse, briefcase, or car is said to be a mirror of the state of their mind. It’s amazing the difference it can make to clear out those areas and enjoy a clearer mind as a result. Clearing out the old also makes room for the new—not necessarily new objects, but rather new experiences, new people, new thought patterns, or new behaviors. So when people are looking to change, we often suggest they start by making some room in their physical environment.
We can hold clutter in our lives that goes beyond possessions. We may also be holding onto outdated and harmful beliefs, relationships, or habits. Clearing clutter is about looking at what branches of our lives need a little trimming, so we can focus on things that really fill us up, feel right for us, and fulfill our own passions.
Then it’s about what we add in to really focus on bringing us more pleasure, and take really good care of ourselves—especially through the personal growth and recovery process.
An eating disorder is a disease of more—whether that is more food, more restricting, more exercise, or just more control. This stems from a fear of not having something, or losing what you already have. That anxiety can be overpowering and debilitating, and can underlie the desire to purchase and hang onto more and more things. The stuff piles on top of the anxiety, so you can pretend it’s not really there. But it’s still there—and it’s waiting.
The goal isn’t to take someone from having a lot of clutter to having no clutter—that would be too jarring and could create more anxiety. The goal is to ease out of the pattern of collecting and hanging onto unnecessary or harmful things, and to practice letting go—a bit at a time.
While some anxiety may come up through this process, also notice the space you create from trimming back those branches. You may even see the beginning evidence of new shoots that are starting to grow and flower.
Have faith that what you have let go of is not necessarily gone forever, and may have a better use somewhere else or by someone else.