If it seems overboard to ask if clutter is wreaking havoc on your health, bear with me. I have my reasons.

Clutter? What is it? Good ‘ol Merrian-Webster describes it as a large amount of things that are not arranged in a neat or orderly way: a crowded or disordered collection of things; a confused mass or collection.

Continuing in my highly trained academic background, I quote the Urban Dictionary. “Clutter is useless trash that is lying around that takes up space.” I tend to disagree that all clutter is useless or is even trash, however, it does take up space– physically or in our thoughts and emotions.

I simply refer to clutter as stress.

Clutter is anything that robs our peace.

Clutter causes stress. Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, accidents and suicide. Almost 90 percent of all visits to primary health care providers are due to stress-related problems. Nearly 50 percent of all adults suffer adverse effects from stress.

Why do we magnificent Earthlings need to add to the stress?

Here’s my suggestion as a holistic business and health coach. Take inventory. Size up how you feel when you walk into your home. Does it feel like a refuge or that a cyclone hit? Do you regret or feel shame walking past certain areas? Are you holding onto something that you don’t love, use or need?

Is it time to de-clutter your physical space so you may regain some peace in your mind and heart?

I’m speaking from first-hand experience. I’m that girl who for years held onto things. I wouldn’t say I’d become a hoarder but possibly a boarder hoarder. I planned a personal intervention. I read multiple books and articles around de-cluttering. I planned to whip myself into submission and take action.

Then a fabulous opportunity arose. Squirrel!

My husband said let’s go to Cancun for 4 months during the winter. So we set out to conduct some business while also enjoying the warmth. I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to swim with whale shark, puffer fish, and dolphins. Can you really blame me?

Did I mention that prior to leaving for Cancun we began remodeling. Yes, remodeling. It can be stressful­– banging and tearing stuff up.

Two rooms were left completely remodeled. The only thing missing were pictures hanging on the wall and replacing some baseboards. Then there was the master bathroom. It was left in disarray. It was a long, arduous process because my husband literally wanted to raise the roof! Instead he settled for raising the ceilings to where the attic had been. Now we have the highest ceilings that any master bathroom has ever seen.

I made some poor decisions and decided to move some things and made things worse. Long story short, we were in over our heads. We bit off more than we could chew.

We moved into the guest room. More stuff ended up out of place. I felt as if I were sinking in confusion, disillusion and chaos.

I’ve never been a person who craves stuff. How did it all  get here?

This trinket was given to me by one of my gypsy students when I taught in Moldova. It was so thoughtful of her to think of me. This plush sheep toy was given to me as a thank you gift for flying to New Zealand to give a business training. It was so kind for them to think of me. This scarf was given to me by a high school friend. I never wore it but I did use it as décor in a room before I repainted it. How could I not keep it?

Then I had an epiphany. The gift givers would be horrified if they knew I was stressing over what to do with these gifts? They wouldn’t want me in bondage to this thing. The gifts were tokens to show love or gratitude. Seriously what if I’d been given flowers? They’d already died. And chocolate? Well, I’m not going to tell you how long that would last.

So why obsess over keeping something so long? Why not enjoy it and take a picture of it and then release it to someone who will enjoy it? It’s what I read in those de-clutter books. It made sense and I’ve decided follow the advice.

It’s not about going Spartan or so Minimalist that there’s no warmth or color. De-cluttering is about feeling balanced and not all out of sorts when walking through the halls wondering what’s lurking or where to find it.

It’s about defining what we really, really need to live healthy, happy and peacefully. It’s deciding what you don’t need by deciding what you DO need.

If it’s taking up our time, emotional, spiritual or physical energy perhaps we can recycle or release it? If it hogs up space, and destroys our serenity a choice needs to be made to do something and do it quick!

This can come in the form of ill-fitting clothes, obsolete papers, broken gadgets, unused gifts, even unfulfilled relationships. We need to develop some consciousness around what bogs us down.

Recently, a client told me that she had realized the clutter in her pantry was keeping her from realizing her health goals. It was an amazing notice. She explained that her mother often brings lots of cans and boxed goods that she and her family simply won’t eat. Clutter was stacking up. Stress was mounting.

She decided to clean things out and donate all these goods to her church’s food pantry. She felt the load lighten. It was empowering. And, then there was the courageous talk she had with her mom. The honesty that says I appreciate your kindness and efforts, but please don’t continue giving us something we don’t use. Gulp. I’m sure you can empathize.

On a personal note, I began seeing clutter spill over into my vehicle. The desktop on my computer was (and sometimes still is) a hot mess! I wanted to run away as I felt I was making such few advancements.

And guess what? Another incredible opportunity arose! This time we could go live and work on the outskirts of Guadalajara. Would you say no to fresh avocados in the middle of winter? Lush garden? Fresh citrus? Tress that bloom like a full blown symphony? Would you bypass perpetual sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy?

Who in there right mind would stay present in the “Neverending Story” of remodel and clutter? Dont’ we all need a break? And so, I fell for it– again. I embraced my sanctuary, a clean, uncluttered condo. I thrived living with only the basics in this refuge of simplistic living nestled inside of austere natural surroundings.

I only missed my fur babies even though I knew our friends back home were spoiling and enjoying them. All this was happening while our dirty little secret was locked up. The master bedroom and bathroom was in limbo lockdown, overflowing with clutter and unfinished construction.

What we resist, persist.

I once heard that phrase in a leadership development course. It stuck. And now it was showing me the err of my ways. The time to finish remodeling and de-cluttering was past due!

I could resist no more. I had to face it head on. I am choosing to persist! I will conquer clutter and continue the ongoing battle. I’ve learned it’s one we all face.

I’m leaving some tips in battling clutter– not as an expert, but rather an imperfect human being who is learning and applying the lessons. Utilize a de-cluttering system that works for you. I use the “three boxes de-clutter system” to guide me. I constantly defer to these valuable three questions as I hack away to relief and peace.

• Do I love this?

• Do I use this?

• Would I buy it or want to receive it again?

If the answer is no, it’s time to release it where it will be loved or utilized.

And sorry, but I cannot resist. Let’s not be those people. You know, the ones who donate to a charity all their broken-down, or stained crap. Let’s give good stuff and throw away or recycle junk that no one would want. It cost charities time and money to sift through crap. So let’s be better than that (and dismount from soapbox).

The “three box de-clutter system”

Avoid overwhelm. Take my friend, Kristi’s advice. Take one room at a time. Break it down. Take on a drawer, a cabinet or one bookshelf. Remain steadfast. You’ll get there.

Pat yourself on the back. By choosing to take on clutter, you’re doing something great for your health in every aspect. Deal with every item once. Here’s how you do it using the ‘ol boxing method.

Box 1- I’ll put you in your place, Darling.

I suppose you’ve never found a pair of swimming goggles in the laundry basket, have you?

Box 2- I bless and release you.

It’s the notion of blessing and releasing stuff to its highest potential. Box it as give away or sell.

Box 3- Hit the road Jack!

This box is about dealing with things that feel entitled yet haven’t earned the right to even be recycled yet high hopes remain that it will find its way to a plasma-burning trash incinerator that creates clean gasoline.

There you have it friend. It’s the simple, effective way to de-clutter. Embrace it! Don’t follow my all-around-the-mulberry-bush bad example. Take action now before you travel the world only to come back to piles of stuff that still stresses you out.

Oh! And if you are the clean freak that has no idea what this article is addressing, I salute you. I yearn to be like you. You are all that and a bag o’ chips. Please remember, however, you still have some sort of weakness and you need me as much as I need you, but perhaps not stashed  away in some well-organized cupboard. 😉

Dear reader, tell us what you’re thinking in the comments below. We want to know your clutter or de-cluttering story. Is it even fair to correlate clutter and stress?