The Coaches Corner
Environmental Clutter: Mind Over Matter

Welcome to the first column dedicated to questions, concerns, ideas, problems, challenges and everything else that affects women around the world. My vision is for every woman who reads this to find something that calls to her, leaves her with food for thought and action steps to take. The theme for this issue is the Environment; thus, my intention is to look at ways that physical space can affect emotional well being. And it could be the other way around-emotional clutter can affect the physical space. Therefore, from a coaching perspective, clutter is a good working topic for this column as it affects every aspect of our lives.

In my work with clients who are trying to organize their physical space, I have noticed that often there is a connection between physical and emotional clutter. Now you may think: what does this topic have to do with the environment? Well, the way we organize our lives contributes or takes away from having balance in our lives. One drains energy from our bodies and the other imprisions our physical space. They both have an impact on the quality of our lives.

The internal or emotional space is affected when we are bogged down with problems and challenges that rob us of our ability to focus. Often physical symptoms result. We feel depressed, get sick, eat and drink too much and overall, there is a mild malaise that hovers like a dark cloud.

Clutter is often the result of jammed energy. We hold on to a rollercoaster of emotions, or resist letting go of whatever is keeping us stuck. This results in blocked energy being crammed into a space that does not allow for any kind of freedom to exist. Clutter is an issue that creeps into our psyche, stirring our emotions and bringing unrest in our lives. It is as if our intellect tells us one thing, and our emotions another.

Our external space is affected by this blocked energy. Papers pile up, email sits upopened in our computers, clothes hang on the backs of chairs and bills are stacked up on the top of our desks. We look for outside help: containers, shelves, trays to hold mail and various and assorted organizing gimmicks. There is a plethora of stores that sell enough plastic boxes and bins to tempt the most resistant person. Clutter is very devious. From the outside we may look very organized, our homes neat to the naked eye. Until one peers into our inner life, finding chaos and confusion that is not obvious on the outside. Peeking into drawers, under beds and in closets often reveals another perspective. And sometimes it is as simple as being willing to let go of what we don't want to face.

We can also hire someone to come in and organize us only to find out that it is expensive and they are not there on a daily basis to oversee the clutter returning. There are books available on how to get rid of clutter and websites designed to support the most resistant pack rat. One of my clients told me that she bought two books on how to reduce clutter and then the books became a part of her cluttered environment! Spending more time looking for things than actually doing what needs to be done is a common complaint.

There are support groups to help people get organized. They also help people to start their own support groups to keep them on track .Until we get to the bottom of why we resist cleaning out what is confronting us, the piles will continue to grow in size and stature. In my experience with clients, I find they have to look at the resistance and focus on steps to move in a forward direction. Often these are baby steps, and build to a much bigger game over time. Sometimes it requires something as simple as identifying what is at the bottom of the resistance to organize and sometimes it is much deeper than the clutter that is in the physical space.

What does all this really mean?

What I have learned in my years of coaching is that we are always at choice. This means that we can choose to take actions to organize our lives or not. And the choices are numerous. We can hire an organizing consultant, buy books, join a support group or work with a coach to move us forward.

My challenge until we meet again: take on cleaning out something in your life that has been hanging around for a long time. It could be as simple as organizing a drawer, throwing out old clothes, or as complicated as letting go of something that has been keeping you stuck. You will find a feeling of ease in doing this and it will open up a space for something new to emerge.

Dr. Linda Lea is a former Professor of Education who taught Teacher Education in both Colorado and California. She is currently, a Certified Professional Life Coach and an Education Consultant. As the Director of an International Education Program for a nonprofit organization working in East Africa, Dr. Lea is a world traveler and lecturer. She is a graduate of the Co-Active Leadership Program and a niche organizer for the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael. Her coaching work spans many countries and she is passionate about Education and possibility for all women. For more information go to LindaLea.com, call (707) 939-7572 or email her at lindalea@vom.com.