The Therapist’s Guide to Decluttering…And Why You Should Do it TODAY

You ever walk into your office or open your laptop and just… sigh?
It’s not that you’re lazy or disorganized. It’s that life has been lifing, and every “I’ll deal with it later” pile, tab, and email has quietly built up into something that now feels too heavy to touch.

Here’s the truth: clutter isn’t just about messy drawers or an overflowing inbox. It’s about the energy leaks that happen when we delay decisions, avoid systems, and convince ourselves we’ll have more time “next week.” And the brain power that you waste rethinking about tackling it instead of actually tackling it is very expensive.

Why Clutter Happens

Back in the day I was a bit of a resource hoarder. I’m in recovery now, but I still do love a good tool. Now, however, I’m more intentional about acquiring and using them or storing them in blog posts, Pinterest boards or digital storage spaces rather than in a rickety filing cabinet. But I completely understand, from experience, how clutter can happen.

Most of us don’t get disorganized because we don’t car, we get disorganized because we care about too much.
We’ve got kids, clients, projects, groceries, and that random return sitting in the trunk since July. Clutter often builds when your mental bandwidth is spent managing everything else. Add to that the emotional side, which can include everything from guilt, to overwhelm, to perfectionism, and you’ve got the perfect storm for clutter to thrive.

What It’s Costing You

Every pile, every unfiled document, every lost password has a cost.

• Time: You waste precious minutes searching for what you already own or wrote.

• Money: Missed deadlines, double purchases, or forgotten invoices. (I remember my sister beating herself up years ago because she forgot to deposit a check that got lost under a pile on her desk. She was HEATED.)

• Energy: That low hum of stress every time you walk by “the pile.”

• Focus: Clutter is visual noise…and your brain has to filter it constantly, which causes you to be more tired and distracted.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t focus on creating new offers or why your days feel chaotic, this might be the culprit.

How to Start Small

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to clear your whole life in one weekend. Start with five-minute decisions, one drawer, one folder, one tab.

Digitally, I love the PARA System (developed by Tiago Forte):

• P – Projects: Short-term efforts with a clear goal.

• A – Areas: Ongoing responsibilities like “Marketing” or “Client Care.”

• R – Resources: Notes, research, or templates for later use.

• A – Archive: Anything inactive but worth saving.

Applying this to your Google Drive, OneDrive, email folders, or even desktop can instantly make your digital world feel lighter and more searchable.

The Weight of the Physical

Physical clutter is sneaky. It’s not just the papers stacked on your desk, it’s the laundry chair, the sticky notes, the cords, and the “I’ll fix that later” pile that quietly tells your brain there’s always more to do. While most of us aren’t living in a hoarders nightmare space, there’s just enough stuff around to make it feel like the work is never done.

Every item you see represents a decision you haven’t made yet. When your environment is crowded, your mind mirrors it, which is why there is no wonder you’re exhausted before your day even begins.

From Piles to Priorities

And clutter isn’t only physical. Your task list can get just as messy.

You’ve got a dozen tabs open, 40 items on your to-do list, and a whole lot of guilt about the things you didn’t get to. But if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a dozen times, running a private practice is NOT about you doing more, it’s about you doing the right things. That’s where systems come in.

A Simpler Start

If your business and life both feel cluttered, start small. Pick one drawer to clear, one folder to rename, or one recurring task to automate. These tiny decisions compound into peace…the kind that comes from order, not effort.

When you’re ready to see what clarity could look like across your entire business, grab my free 7 Systems Checklist.
It walks you through the exact areas to streamline so your to-do list isn’t just shorter, it’s smarter.

Because you don’t need another productivity hack. You need a system that finally supports the version of you who’s ready for ease.