Tidying up changed my life.
There is a before version of me who used to live in a constant mess, and an after version of me, who has a curated home that could be in a magazine.
( I have had enough people say this to me that I can own it).
During the pandemic, I found myself stuck in a messy apartment, both physically and emotionally. Drawers stuffed with randomness. Closets exploding. Trinkets I hadn’t looked at in years. Everything felt like noise.
One night, while binge-watching Netflix, I stumbled upon “Sparking Joy” with Marie Kondo. Something clicked. I ordered her book, devoured it, and committed to following her method
to the T.
What followed was a 3-day marathon of sorting, purging, and redefining what I owned—and what owned me. If it didn’t spark joy, it was out. Clothes, paperwork, old gifts, forgotten sentimental tokens—I let them go. My feet hurt. My back ached. But I couldn’t stop until it felt complete.
(There was a heavy dose of mania thrown in there but it helped!)
When I finally finished, I sat down, lit a joint, and watched smoke rings float like they were moving through honey.
My entire space felt… different.
The energy shifted from static to still.
For the first time in a long time, I felt quiet. I felt peace.
I felt myself.
That moment changed everything.
I’ll share more about what came next in a future letter, but today I want to offer you this if you're struggling with a cluttered home:
📦How to Start:
1. Pick a Category, Not a Room. Don’t start with your kitchen or your bedroom. Start with your clothes or books. Focus creates momentum.
2. Touch Everything You Own. Literally. When you hold it in your hands, you’ll know whether it sparks joy or just takes up space.
3. Don’t Organize Clutter—Release It. Stuffing things into drawers or baskets is just hiding the problem.
Liberation comes from letting go.
4. Sentimental ≠ Necessary. Growth sometimes means releasing the past. You don’t need to carry everything forward.
5. Energy Follows Environment. Clear space creates c l a r i t y. The way your home feels influences the way your mind feels.
📊 A Few Stats to Drive It Home
Cortisol levels spike in women who describe their homes as “cluttered”.
Disorganization causes stress for over 50% of Americans and leads to procrastination.
A clean space = 15% more productivity (and a lot more peace of mind).
Clutter has been linked to poor sleep, irritability, and lower cognitive performance.
If your outer world feels chaotic, it’s not just about mess—it’s about energy. Clean space. Clean mind. Clean slate.
Want some organizing and Feng Shui tips? Check this youtube video I made:
Here.
Want my personal help and expertise? Lets schedule a call:
Here.
~thanks for reading ~
🕊️
I'll be back next week!
With love,
Steph
