Debris removal may sound like sunshine and rainbows when you see the “behind the scenes” shots of my setup. But the truth?
Behind every clean pantry and tidy closet is a journey – often filled with frustration, resistance, and emotions.
In this post, I pull back the curtain to show you the original challenges I see regularly with my clients – ones I don’t always show in makeovers.
And if you see yourself in any of these stories? You are not alone. These emotional blockages are more common than you think.
1. Blaming Others for the Clutter
Meet Stephanie — one of my favorite clients. We were very happy to change her spaces, but she struggled to let go of anything… and often pointed the finger at her husband.
Sound familiar?
Stephanie was frustrated that her husband’s shoes, tools and clothes were always off. Why? If we look closely, it’s not because he’s dirty – it’s because he really didn’t have a place for them. All the closets and wardrobes were full his things. So when things don’t have a home….they end up everywhere.
Finish Solution:
You can’t blame your family for being spoiled if you don’t have a place to put them or if you haven’t created “homes” or “zones” for things to live. Everyone deserves a home for their belongings. Sometimes, that means you it has to split to make room.
2. When Shopping Becomes a Way to Cope With Problems
I’ve worked with so many amazing women like Kathy, who shopped to hide her emotions or Krista (a clothing store owner) who uses clothes to express her emotions. Both of these women had homes (and clothes) that exploded.
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Kathy’s laundry room it was full of unopened purchases and he didn’t have time or space to put them.
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Kristaa shop owner, he had more clothes than he could wear in a year, but he couldn’t give them up because they were part of his identity.
Finish Solution:
If new things are coming faster than you can control, it may be time to talk to a therapist or support group. There is zero shame for needing help – but without addressing the cause, no amount of programming will stick.
3. The Mind of Need
Marg couldn’t part with anything. Empty jars, pill bottles, greased mattresses – he kept it all. To him, everything was powerful. He was raised with the belief that throwing away anything was a waste, and that deeply entrenched mentality made throwing away feel dangerous, not liberating.
Although sewing was her passion, she couldn’t enjoy it because her creative space was buried under “just in case.”
Finish Solution:
A lack mentality often comes from past trauma, financial instability, or fear. If this is you, take it small steps. Celebrate every decision to let go, even if it’s just one piece of cloth. It includes you, too it can be break the cycle.
4. Mistrust
Carla’s home was tidy – except for one room. Her “Monica’s closet” (Fans are friends, you know!) was a dumping ground because she didn’t trust herself to make decisions. So instead of making the wrong choice, he avoided making a choice at all.
Finish Solution:
Deciding is still a decision. First tell yourself, “I trust myself to decide what stays and what goes.” Progress doesn’t come from perfect choices – it happens anywhere to choose.
5. Perfectionism
Sena wanted to do it it’s okay — organize everything, label everything, color code every bin. But that needs to be perfect to keep him attached. The piles grew because he could not allow himself to be “bad.”
Classification Course:
Perfectionism doesn’t make your environment better – it prevents you from improving. Try to do something it’s okay. Accept “enough for now.” You will prove that the imperfect action is still powerful.
6. The Inner Critic
Michelle had lived unorganized life her entire life. He believed that he could not change, and criticized himself constantly. But during our virtual session, everything changed when she stopped saying, “I’m not good at this,” and started saying, “I’m proud of myself.”
He let go of the bags of things, opened the entire closet, and smiled at his change.
Finish Solution:
Be kind to yourself. Changing your speech changes everything. Instead of saying “I’m a mess,” try: “I’m learning,” “I’m growing,” or “I’m doing my best.”
7. Ditching “Recently Bought” or “Slightly Used”
Even my team is not immune! Emily (behind the camera!) had a hard time parting with the winter boots I just bought. He wasn’t ready to let go – and that’s okay. The first step is to realize that being emotionally attached does not always equate to being helpful.
Finish Solution:
You don’t have to take everything apart right now. But if you know something isn’t working for you – even if it’s new – allow yourself to let it go without guilt.
8. Development Takes Practice
Taking out the trash can’t be done all in one day. It’s about building muscle, one decision at a time. Whether you’re dealing with clutter from others, emotional shopping, scarcity, perfectionism, or fear — the way forward is always the same:
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Start small.
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Celebrate every win.
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Trust yourself.
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Go ahead.
You don’t need to have everything together. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to have the courage to take that first step.
Your home deserves peace. You deserve to be free. And every small victory of reduction is a step for both.
SEE THE THINGS SAID ✨
Seana’s Craft Room:
Marg Craft Room:
Krista’s bedroom:
Michelle Office:
Kathy Laundry Room:
Stephanie Basement:
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