When a Clutter-Free Space Doesn’t Feel Safe

Have you ever done a major clear-out of your home and soon found yourself surrounded by clutter again?  If you’re wondering why you can’t seem to maintain a clutter-free space, it may be due to subconscious self-sabotage. A drastic change in your home won’t feel familiar even if it’s a change that you wanted.

Your nervous system interprets that as not being safe. Your subconscious mind may start sabotaging you to recreate a familiar environment. Small crises will come up that take your time and attention so you can’t keep up with daily maintenance. You may get sick more often. Your energy and motivation could disappear. It’s not a lack of willpower or laziness. The subconscious mind has much more control over your life than you realize. You may think you’re ready for a big change, but your nervous system is breathing a sigh of relief when your home returns to the condition it was before.

To avoid this type of unconscious self-sabotage, you need to do some internal work and give your nervous system and body time to adjust to your new environment.

Anytime you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, sit with it and allow yourself to feel your feelings. You may be avoiding your feelings because you think you’ll be flooded or stuck in them.  EFT tapping, energy healing techniques or somatic practices like breath work and gentle yoga can help settle your emotions and make it easier to move through them.

What stories and limiting beliefs are coming up for you that might be causing your discomfort?  Explore them through journaling or talk them through with a friend until they no longer have a strong hold on you.

Ask your body how it feels. Where does the discomfort live in your body? What is its weight, shape, texture? Is it heat in your face? Fluttering in your stomach? A heavy, sinking feeling? Ask your body what it needs to help it adjust to the new state of your home. It may seem silly to talk to your body as if you were talking to another person, but your body and your nervous system are always listening to what you are telling yourself. Being reassuring and positive will help your body and nervous system adjust more easily. You will soon find yourself able to enjoy and maintain your clutter-free home.

To help you work with your emotions, I’ve create several healing resources: EFT tapping and prerecorded emotional clearing sessions. You can access them here.