I have a confession to make.
Even as someone who built a business around “finding order,” last spring I felt completely stagnant. My home felt heavy. The “stuff” was a burden that made my dream of someday taking my VA business abroad feel impossible. I invite you to explore: Do you have a “someday” dream that feels weighed down by the stuff on your plate?
For me, the answer was a resounding yes. I knew I needed to make a change to lift the burden so I joined a 12-week decluttering program that offered guidance, community, and accountability I couldn’t provide for myself.
It wasn’t that I didn’t know how to organize. Rather, doing it alone felt overwhelming. It’s hard to break the “just in case” pattern. (Why did I have a lifetime supply of paperclips and glass jars? Heck, I even found my old Blockbuster card! 🤯).
Since then, I’ve downsized every space in my home by half. I even skipped buying an extra bathroom shelf because, once the clutter was gone, I didn’t need it.
Finally, I felt SPACE. My brain felt CALM. I could FOCUS.
I’ve learned an empty shelf doesn’t always need filling. I’ve embraced small habits to keep that calm alive, like clearing the kitchen sink before bed so I don’t wake up distracted by chores when I should be focusing on my clients. It turns out, mental white space is the ultimate business asset.
If you’re feeling stagnant, you aren’t stuck. You’re just carrying too much. Here are 3 shifts you can start today:
🕰️ The One-Year Rule: Pick one junk drawer or a ‘Misc’ digital folder. If you haven’t touched it since the last time you saw a Blockbuster, ask yourself: Is the ‘peace of mind’ of keeping it worth the actual stress of looking at it every day? (Clearly, don’t donate or delete anything truly essential!)
🦸 Think About Future You: What is a 5-minute task you can do tonight to be a hero to your morning self? Prepare lunch for tomorrow, tidy your desk, or clear your downloads folder so you can start your workday with a clean slate.
🌱 Honor the Empty Shelf: We’re conditioned to fill every gap. Practice leaving one small space (physical or digital) completely blank, whether it’s a drawer or a Saturday morning. This isn’t wasted space; it’s the breathing room your next big idea needs to grow.
But as I cleared my physical shelves, I realized some of the heaviest clutter wasn’t in my cabinets at all. It was in my digital life. I’ve started applying these same ‘rules’ to that space too.
I have an old Gmail account that is a mess. Thousands of unread promotions and “save for later” emails. It reminded me why I build systems for my clients: no one should face that mountain alone, especially when it stands between you and your goals.
That lightness I found in my cabinets? I’ve found a way to replicate it in your business backend, too. I can’t wait to share it with you…stay tuned! 👀
I’d love too know, Where are you most craving that “empty shelf” feeling right now? Is it a physical space, or that “too far gone” inbox?
Leave a comment below and let me know. I’d love to hear I’m not the only one! 👇
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