When I think about clutter and what is holding us back from having more space in our lives, I have written posts on all kinds of clutter – rooms, closets, calendars, email, and mental – just to name a few.

Yesterday, I heard a podcast that expanded my perspective to realize “clutter” can apply to a LOT.

In the episode of This Organized Life, the host spoke with Maya Lombarts on the topic of calendar clutter.

Along the way, Maya commented that her liver was “full of clutter”.

Her explanation was that test results showed that there were all kinds of toxins in her liver that shouldn’t be there and they were impacting her overall health.

My Perspective

That simple statement about “liver clutter” made me realize that clutter can appear everywhere.

I started thinking about clutter as it relates to the 8 dimensions of wellbeing – environmental, occupational, emotional, intellectual, financial, physical, spiritual, and social.

I’ve been focused on removing environmental and occupational clutter.

This new insight has me wanting to explore ways that clutter can creep into the other six.

Financial clutter may be simple things like getting rid of reoccurring subscriptions we no longer use.

Or, complex clutter, like culling investment portfolios from 12 down to three.

Social clutter could involve the need to reduce the number of volunteer projects we do.

Or, set limits on the time we spend out with friends.

Intellectual clutter could be taking too many online classes or buying books we have no time to read.

Each area has questions to ask to determine if we are living a sustainable life.

Your Turn

Do you see clutter in your life beyond your space, calendar, and mind?

Could this perspective have you thinking differently about achieving a sustainable lifestyle?

Which area do you need to dive into and achieve more balance?