I declutter—put everything back in its original place. When I arrive the next morning, my desk is orderly, and my schedule book is open and ready for scheduling new adventures.
Emma, I have the Lord to thank for many healings of my flesh patterns, but this one tops them all. Decluttering is a spiritual activity. Before discipling others, I evaluate their homes, cars, etc. to gain a snapshot as to whether what they are about to tell me in counseling is either a bunch of words or authentic struggles. It helps me understand the real challenge.
"Decluttering is a spiritual activity". Such a powerful statement, Stephen! I love reading the testimonies of breakthrough; God is so loving and He provides healing for every area of our lives.
Dr. Phinney, certainly good ideas and suggestions. That being said, now I am thoroughly discouraged and depressed... I don't want "stuff" but I do not want minimalism either. What is the narrow boundary?? I live in what I call "organized clutter", where I know where the basics are but they are not neatly displayed. I am just too exhausted in my spirit. I listen to Holy Spirit, who recently told me to "just do some neatening up for 5 minutes at a time." I do that, sometimes a few times per day. It is agonizingly slow but it is all I can do at once. I have tried before, I promise you, tried and tried and tried. Sometimes, like today, I just REALLY want to go Home.
I get it. I have consulted for the TV series "Hoarders" several times. The guidelines in my article are the steps we use. Every "hoarder" I have helped says exactly what you just said. However, in due time it gets out of control. Behind every case was the ongoing grief of a dead loved one - typically early in their life. So, step one is release this person in prayer permanently. Secondly, follow the directions in the article. Three, find a friend who is organized and ask them for help. If you dedicate 2 hours a day, in three months, you will experience freedom like never before. When anyone is stuck in their past, the future will typically be packed with clutter. Something to pray about.
Dr. Phinney, I appreciate the counsel and I will consider. I am most definitely not a hoarder. There is a difference between clutter and hoarding. Long story short, I have gone through the loss of two places to live in 12 years (overwhelmed by cost of living). Both times I released a substantial amount of possessions. All I owned when I first left my home of 23 yrs in San Francisco, was contained in a 5X3 closet and in my compact car. I did the same thing with the second home loss. I definitely do not have large amounts of stuff. I have lots of paper, ideas, articles, a few mementoes. I am the last surviving member of my immediate family. I live very simply and frugally. I would not ask a stranger to enter my home and make judgment or plans. I have to figure this out with Holy Spirit's help. I have deep respect for you, Dr. Phinney and do not take lightly your suggestions in the clutter article. As a core survivor, I live in the present, focused on keeping the basics afloat. I will read the article again. Thank you, WEW
Dr. Phinney, thank you SO much for understanding! I was in distress, with the enemy attacking me and telling me "well, once more, you have succeeded in driving people away and offending with your sharp tongue. Way to go, stupid!" NO! I do deeply listen to Holy Spirit and He is gently taking me by the hand and gradually helping me to manifest more order. I did know two hoarders back when I lived in San Francisco. One was a 90 year old lady who had so much hoarding, you had to stumble through the hallways filled with stacks of newspapers, etc. Her new landlord FREAKED when he saw the obvious fire hazard and evicted her. I helped her in her new temporary home. The other hoarder was a dear Sister in Christ who lived alone in a large house south of San Francisco. He husband was in Heaven, her son had died and her daughter was estranged. She had all the house to herself with PILES of stuff, overwhelmingly so. I tried my best to help her with a pile or two...but she would not let go. Finally God nudged her out of that house to live near her daughter in So Cal and the hoarding was dealt with after she relunctantly moved. I felt she would die in that house if she did not get out. God intervened.
I promise to you, Dr. Phinney, I take this seriously and I will work daily with Holy Spirit, to get rid of clutter more. I may indeed need to deal with ongoing sorrow about the overnight death of my Mom when I was 13 and my brother being drafted and killed in Vietnam two years later, 1968. I do trust God, He is a good good Father. Bless you, Sir! WEW
Many people, like your friend, hoard because they need stuff around them because they "feel" so empty because of their loss. It is likened to wearing a coat when its warm outside or sleeping with a heavy blanket in mid-summer.
Wow, I needed that question and article. And I need to declutter. Thank you for sharing your help.
That is awesome, Jennifer. De-cluttering is deconstructing materialism. Once accomplished, minimalism becomes our friend.
Thank you for sharing, Stephen! I needed to read this!
Emma, I have the Lord to thank for many healings of my flesh patterns, but this one tops them all. Decluttering is a spiritual activity. Before discipling others, I evaluate their homes, cars, etc. to gain a snapshot as to whether what they are about to tell me in counseling is either a bunch of words or authentic struggles. It helps me understand the real challenge.
I truly needed to read this. It touched my spirit and convicted me of inconsistencies in my own life. Thank u for your article❣️🍒
That's OK, Cherre. The description fits us all.
"Decluttering is a spiritual activity". Such a powerful statement, Stephen! I love reading the testimonies of breakthrough; God is so loving and He provides healing for every area of our lives.
He certainly is, Emma. It is not the sin that bothers God, it is our negligence in owning up to them that create His discipline.
Dr. Phinney, glad we are on the same page! God bless you! WEW
Dr. Phinney, certainly good ideas and suggestions. That being said, now I am thoroughly discouraged and depressed... I don't want "stuff" but I do not want minimalism either. What is the narrow boundary?? I live in what I call "organized clutter", where I know where the basics are but they are not neatly displayed. I am just too exhausted in my spirit. I listen to Holy Spirit, who recently told me to "just do some neatening up for 5 minutes at a time." I do that, sometimes a few times per day. It is agonizingly slow but it is all I can do at once. I have tried before, I promise you, tried and tried and tried. Sometimes, like today, I just REALLY want to go Home.
I get it. I have consulted for the TV series "Hoarders" several times. The guidelines in my article are the steps we use. Every "hoarder" I have helped says exactly what you just said. However, in due time it gets out of control. Behind every case was the ongoing grief of a dead loved one - typically early in their life. So, step one is release this person in prayer permanently. Secondly, follow the directions in the article. Three, find a friend who is organized and ask them for help. If you dedicate 2 hours a day, in three months, you will experience freedom like never before. When anyone is stuck in their past, the future will typically be packed with clutter. Something to pray about.
Dr. Phinney, I appreciate the counsel and I will consider. I am most definitely not a hoarder. There is a difference between clutter and hoarding. Long story short, I have gone through the loss of two places to live in 12 years (overwhelmed by cost of living). Both times I released a substantial amount of possessions. All I owned when I first left my home of 23 yrs in San Francisco, was contained in a 5X3 closet and in my compact car. I did the same thing with the second home loss. I definitely do not have large amounts of stuff. I have lots of paper, ideas, articles, a few mementoes. I am the last surviving member of my immediate family. I live very simply and frugally. I would not ask a stranger to enter my home and make judgment or plans. I have to figure this out with Holy Spirit's help. I have deep respect for you, Dr. Phinney and do not take lightly your suggestions in the clutter article. As a core survivor, I live in the present, focused on keeping the basics afloat. I will read the article again. Thank you, WEW
That is great news to read. Praise God. Your message sounded a bit like a hoarder. Please forgive me for assuming. You've got this, sis.
Dr. Phinney, thank you SO much for understanding! I was in distress, with the enemy attacking me and telling me "well, once more, you have succeeded in driving people away and offending with your sharp tongue. Way to go, stupid!" NO! I do deeply listen to Holy Spirit and He is gently taking me by the hand and gradually helping me to manifest more order. I did know two hoarders back when I lived in San Francisco. One was a 90 year old lady who had so much hoarding, you had to stumble through the hallways filled with stacks of newspapers, etc. Her new landlord FREAKED when he saw the obvious fire hazard and evicted her. I helped her in her new temporary home. The other hoarder was a dear Sister in Christ who lived alone in a large house south of San Francisco. He husband was in Heaven, her son had died and her daughter was estranged. She had all the house to herself with PILES of stuff, overwhelmingly so. I tried my best to help her with a pile or two...but she would not let go. Finally God nudged her out of that house to live near her daughter in So Cal and the hoarding was dealt with after she relunctantly moved. I felt she would die in that house if she did not get out. God intervened.
I promise to you, Dr. Phinney, I take this seriously and I will work daily with Holy Spirit, to get rid of clutter more. I may indeed need to deal with ongoing sorrow about the overnight death of my Mom when I was 13 and my brother being drafted and killed in Vietnam two years later, 1968. I do trust God, He is a good good Father. Bless you, Sir! WEW
Many people, like your friend, hoard because they need stuff around them because they "feel" so empty because of their loss. It is likened to wearing a coat when its warm outside or sleeping with a heavy blanket in mid-summer.
Yes, indeed. For all my organized clutter, I get this hoarding mindset.
Thank you for all these helpful decluttering tips!
Great advice! And actionable suggestions as well!