TL;DR
Clutter and an overbooked schedule leave you overwhelmed and exhausted, and they can keep you from living your purpose. Kathi’s way out is six steps: shift your mind, take control, simplify, create systems, enjoy the free time you win back, and then live your purpose.
Clutter and an overbooked schedule can make you overwhelmed and exhausted.
It can also derail you from finding and living your purpose.
How can clutter and a busy schedule keep you from your purpose?
My life serves as a ‘real life’ example of this. Before I moved here from Florida my life and my house were full of too many possessions and a too busy schedule.
My husband and I had a successful tourism publishing agency but were constantly overwhelmed and exhausted.
When we lost our business shortly after 9-11, we had lots of time and were forced to stop and determine what was really important to us, both as a couple and as individuals.
We decided we could move to California because being broke in Florida versus in California was really about the same. Broke is broke – right? My husband took a ‘real’ job and I was blessed to have a year off to reinvent myself.
Only because I had that year off (which actually only took 10 months) I was able to create my company addSpace To Your Life!
Not only was I able to turn the lemon of losing our business into lemonade, I was able to discover my purpose which is helping folks change and transition into lives that are full of energy and possibilities.
There are many other professionals who help people move forward and reinvent themselves and I love that there is so much diversity. I happen to help people shift through the external surface of their environment.
This is my passion and I know that I am making a huge impact in my own small way. I would like you to also find your purpose and passion if you haven’t already and you can do it by following these steps.
What steps help you get organized and energized?
Step 1: Shift your mind
If you shift your mind you will become inspired, which will lead you into taking action and overcome your inertia.
The magic thing about making a mind shift is that you can begin to envision your life the way you want it to be – not the way it is right now.
Once you have a vision in your mind then it is time to make change.
As you hold your new life vision in your mind and begin to clear – magic begins to take place!
Trust me, I have seen it over and over again – my clients get the guy, find a new rewarding career, move into their dream home and even have a baby after years of trying. I have seen all of these results in real life in the past 13 years as a pro!
Step 2: Take control
Get started and begin to make significant shifts and changes in your life.
A NAPO survey of 400 consumers found that 27% feel disorganized at work, and of those:
- 91% would be more effective and efficient if their workspace was better organized.
- 28% said they would save over one hour a day.
- 27% said they would save 31-60 minutes each day.
Step 3: Simplify
Start eliminating and donating everything that you do not use, need or love.
Everything in your life requires energy which is why when you get organized and clear the excess – you have more energy! If you are not sure where to begin, here are the steps to take to clear your clutter.
Step 4: Create systems
Create designated homes for all of the items that you want to keep in your life.
Once you have downsized and are surrounded only by the things that bring you sparks of joy or are useful to you – you need to have a system for where they live and how they are stored.
Think of each item as needing a home with a yard around it. Most novice homeowners fail when they get to this step because they forget about the yard and jam everything into a too small space.
Step 5: Enjoy more free time
Liberation from your possessions brings you more space, time and freedom.
Who here has been watching the small house television shows like Small House, Big Living and Tiny House Nation?
The idea of having less and living small is really catching on – people are becoming aware that the less stuff they have to take care of, the more time and money they have to be free and create experiences of their choice.
Experiences are what makes life rich – not possessions and the young millennials really understand this concept – hence the birth of the small house movement.
Step 6: Live your purpose
It is easy to see what you want to do with your life after you clear away the excess.
This is what I want for you too! I want each and every one of you to find your purpose and discover renewed energy. When the stuff around you feels like too much, these three questions to help alleviate clutter overwhelm are a good place to start.
So go ahead and get organized so that you too can reenergize your life! It is much easier and more fun than you can begin to imagine!
Keep reading
- 3 Questions to Help Alleviate Clutter OverwhelmThree simple questions for the moment the stuff in your home feels like too much.
- Create the Life of Your Dreams by Adding Space To Your Life!How clearing space around you opens room for the life you want.
- What steps do I need to take to clear my clutter?Kathi’s starting agreement: if you don’t use it and don’t love it, you don’t need it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does clutter make me feel so overwhelmed and tired?
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Everything in your life requires energy, so a home full of possessions and a schedule full of commitments drains you. Kathi Burns lived this herself before moving from Florida to California. When you clear the excess and keep only what you use, need or love, you get that energy back.
How do I stop feeling overwhelmed by my stuff?
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Start with a mind shift: picture your life the way you want it to be, not the way it is now. That vision gets you moving. Then take control, eliminate and donate what you do not use, need or love, and give every item you keep a designated home.
What does it mean to shift your mind before you declutter?
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Shifting your mind means holding a clear vision of the life you want before you start clearing. Kathi Burns says that vision inspires you to act and overcome inertia. As you clear with that picture in mind, she has seen clients find new careers, partners and homes.
How much time could I save by getting organized at work?
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A NAPO survey of 400 consumers found 27 percent feel disorganized at work. Of those, 91 percent said they would be more effective in a better organized workspace, 28 percent said they would save over an hour a day, and 27 percent said they would save 31 to 60 minutes daily.
Why do organizing systems fail after decluttering?
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Systems often fail because people jam everything they keep into a space that is too small. Kathi Burns compares it to a home with a yard around it: each item needs its own home plus breathing room. Downsize first, then decide where each item lives and how it is stored.
Can decluttering help me find my purpose?
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Kathi Burns found her purpose after losing her business and clearing her life, and she says it is easy to see what you want to do once the excess is gone. Less stuff to look after means more time, money and freedom for the experiences that make life rich.
Originally published on Organized and Energized on September 22, 2020. Moved to addSpace and updated November 7, 2026.
