Clutter

Hello....my name is Audra....and I am a clutterer. Ever since I was little, it was like pulling teeth for my parents in making me clean my room. Once in a blue moon was it ever spotless....and I mean once in a blue moon. I believe my dad was a clutterer too. Yes, I believe like any disease, cluttering is hereditary. (Insert snarkiness) However, I may be a clutterer, and although during childhood a budding hoarder, I have kicked the habit of hoarding and have just been a clutterer throughout my adult life. My question is though, do you think that cluttering and hoarding reflect on one's emotional well being?

I know that I am a clutterer, but I can let go of things that are unimportant, things that are easily replaced, or things that are broken. When I say let go, I also mean emotionally "let go". I inventory my emotions or relationships on a daily basis and "let go" of the ones that are not important in my life at that moment. I cherish the ones who have left an imprint on my heart and my life, like keepsakes and jewelry that I have cherished. Then, there are the hoarders....those who just can't let go of things and/or emotions. Or, as I have discovered as of late, there are those who do a clean sweep of physical things and hoard their emotions, memories, or grudges like they were keeping a cluttered atticful of baggage. Then, there are those who are as neat as a pin, but unlike the clean sweepers, have a deep sense of what and of whom to cherish and build their lives around those things and people, enriching and inspiring those around them.

I, as a clutterer, am learning what to give up and what to cherish, both in my heart and in physical things. I, as a clutterer, cherish the memories that I have of my children, of certain outfits that each of my girls have worn; of a baby blanket that was gifted to me for our first one that was hand made in the Holy Land; of the look on my contented baby's face as she smiles in her sleep. I, as a clutterer, have learned to throw away the garbage, the grudges, and the negativity. I, as a clutterer, will one day achieve the deep sense and security of the importance of this life. And despite the sometimes clutter, I hope I will inspire others and enrich their lives to be the type of person that will always be proud to stand up amongst the many witnesses with their looks of shock, their disbelief and dismay, and proudly say, "Hi, my name is Audra, and I am a clutterer."