Let me take you on a journey of self-discovery. Together, we’ll explore ways to foster a mindset that embraces creativity for life.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
Alrighty then, as any personal trainer worth their gym-issued name tag will tell you, simplicity is the key to consistency. There’s no point in creating an exercise routine that you can’t remember or execute properly. Fancy sports gadgets and flashy apps are just unnecessary clutter. Remember how Rocky would sprint up those steps? Yep, keep it simple.
Pro Tip 5:
Dream big, but keep it simple.
This is the fifth post in a 6-part series, and today we’re delving into making space for what lights you up.
Our subject is about making space for joy. I’ll share why letting go of clutter is a potent way to getting unstuck.
I’m pulling ideas from my Worry Dolls Play Time worksheets. You can find out more about my workshop at these links:
CLICK HERE to explore Worry Dolls Play Time (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/worry-dolls-play-time-online-workshop)
Alex Mitchell Sparked By Art VIDEO: Worry Dolls Play Time
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/5Fzxa1j9bUU
In my creativity workshops, I love combining playful art-making with powerful mindset ideas. And here’s the thing: I want to give everyone permission to play in the easiest possible way.
Because your creativity matters.
• One insightful moment of creative play can dissolve years of resistance, giving you newfound energy
• The fun you have with your creative side spills over into all parts of your life
• Igniting your creative spark gives you fresh eyes to try new things and make meaningful changes
Are ya ready?
Part 1. How to know when you have a clutter problem.
We hold on to more than we realize. Not just things, but memories, expectations, identities, and old ideas of who we thought we’d be.
We keep what once felt useful, meaningful, or safe, even when it’s quietly weighing us down.
The sad truth is that living with clutter can keep you from pursuing what matters most.
But it’s never too late to look at what you’re holding on to and why.
Because you might discover that decluttering is the key to unlocking your greatest potential. Namely, it frees up energy you can use for nurturing your creativity.
So let’s start with defining what clutter is.
• Physical and digital clutter
Physical clutter is easy to spot. The piles of clothing, papers, dishes, and all the things that gather in the corners of your home. The overabundance of objects you’ve been holding on to for years.
But clutter can also be digital. It’s the dozens of tabs open on your computer, the endless scroll of media you consume, the constant pings and notifications that keep you chained to your phone.
Both kinds of clutter eat up your time, space, and energy.
• Mental Clutter
Mental clutter is sneakier. It’s the chaos you can’t always see: information overload, emotional noise, and looping thoughts that overwhelm your mind.
It’s the endless social scrolling and news watching. The running to-do list, the worry, guilt, self-criticism, old grudges, and habits that don't serve you.
Even though you can’t see them, they drain your time, space, and vitality all the same.
Your stuff only becomes clutter when it starts to stress you out.
Let’s face it, we’ve all got never-ending housekeeping chores. There’s no end to doing the dishes, laundry, filing, and cleaning. There’s also no end to opening mail, paying bills, answering emails, and making appointments.
But when your surroundings start to drive you crazy, hold you back, or make you feel small or stuck, that’s when it becomes a problem.
You may have a clutter problem if:
• Your stuff makes you feel overwhelmed, tired, or closed in
• You feel mentally drained or emotionally foggy
• You can’t relax or focus because you’re surrounded by too much stuff
• You’re constantly distracted by your phone or notifications
• Your to-do list feels endless, and prioritizing is impossible
Part 2. Making space for joy.
Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up. It’s an intentional act of letting go to reclaim your energy.
Think of your energy as your capacity to feel good, your source for creativity, and your wealth. It’s your vitality, which means it’s priceless.
That’s why holding on to clutter, physical or mental, is keeping you stuck. It’s making you feel frustrated because you’ve never got the time, space, calm, or energy for what truly matters. As in, all the things that bring you joy.
To change that, you’ve gotta make space in your life. Trust your intuition to guide you:
Does this give me energy or drain me?
Don’t think of letting go as having wasted your time or money. Instead, think of letting go as part of honoring yourself.
You can:
• Honor the life you once had
• Honor the choices you’ve made in the past
• Honor the growth that’s brought you to this moment
When you honor yourself, you can release what no longer serves you.
Your vitality depends on giving yourself space to pursue the things that light you up.
Part 3. Why do we keep what keeps us stuck?
It’s not enough to just do a big annual purge. Real decluttering is a deeper practice. We need to look at why we’re holding on to our clutter in the first place. Decluttering helps you see the emotional patterns underneath.
What’s the real reason we hold on?
Avoidance.
We keep stuff for emotional reasons. Usually, we don’t want to face the truth about something. Or we’re trying to fill a void or emptiness we feel.
• We yearn for a better life - past or future.
Like when we save clothes that used to fit us from the life we used to have, from the way we were before. As in, we ignore the fact that our lifestyle has changed.
Or when we save clothes because we think someday they’ll fit again. In other words, we totally ignore the fact that our bodies have changed.
• We avoid hard conversations.
Like when we avoid dealing with the belongings of a deceased parent because we don’t want to argue with our siblings. And so we keep it all in boxes or suitcases in the garage.
• We avoid sadness.
Like when we keep boxes of photos and letters that we’ll never look at again. We avoid organizing or throwing out any of it because we don’t wanna feel sad.
• We avoid the truth.
Like when we avoid getting rid of tools, machines, and appliances that are still sitting unused in their boxes. Because this would mean owning up to the fact that we buy stuff to make us feel less lonely.
When it comes to clutter, the problem is avoidance. And the solution is letting go.
Conclusion: The flow that comes from letting go.
Holding on to stuff - be it worries, relationships, projects, clothes, habits, guilt, judgment, or old thinking patterns - is draining the life right out of you.
Decluttering is about freeing your time, energy, and spirit so you can do what truly matters.
Follow your intuition. If something gives you energy, keep it. If it drains you, release it.
And remind yourself often why you’re decluttering: you’re not just clearing space in your home, you’re creating space for joy.
Because when you have space, you can breathe. You can create. You can feel alive. So here’s to clearing what’s heavy, so you can make room for what’s true.
Your vitality depends on giving yourself permission to let go.
Try this:
Your goal is to declutter, and as a result, give yourself more energy to feel good. Yay!
1. Set a timer, grab an empty box or garbage bag, and pick one area in your home to declutter. See the list below to get some ideas.
2. Spend 10-15 minutes and do what you can. Then repeat every day for a week. Or longer.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
• Clean out a kitchen drawer
• Throw out old food in your fridge or freezer
• Get rid of kitchen gadgets that don’t work or you’ll never use
• Get rid of unusable plastic containers and Tupperware
• Clear the clutter and/or mail sitting on your desk
• Clean out a desk drawer
• Get rid of pens that don’t write
• Get rid of books and magazines you won’t read anymore
• Turn any worn-out towels into rags and replace them with new ones
• Get rid of old makeup and beauty products
• Get rid of old combs, brushes, hair bands, and hair tools
And if you’d love some structure, encouragement, and fresh inspiration to keep playing, join me in my online creativity courses. Learn to make space for a little creative play and build a practice that feels joyful. CLICK HERE to explore Worry Dolls Play Time: A Guided Mini Workshop For Letting Go And Worrying Less (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/worry-dolls-play-time-online-workshop)
More for you:
1. Get on my mailing list and grab the free Permission To Play Training:
CLICK HERE to learn more and get Permission To Play!
This is a short, fun training (less than an hour!) where I'll guide you through my own 6-step framework for getting my butt unstuck through play.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
In this training, you'll be scribbling, doodling, making marks, and having fun with your art supplies. No fancy skills required. Just you, some markers or crayons, and a willingness to play.
What you'll take away:
• The satisfaction of giving yourself the gift of spending time on yourself
• The joy of having fun with your creative side
• A simple framework you can use anytime you need to jumpstart your momentum
2. Color along with me:
If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got a video where you can color along as I chat about these ideas. I even created a PDF with 8 coloring pages you can download and print for this purpose!
Alex Mitchell Creativity For Life VIDEO: Why Do We Keep What Keeps Us Stuck?
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/OtM4unPposY
Download the Twinki-Winki Coloring Pages
CLICK HERE for the PDF: https://twinkiwinki.com/blogs/twinki-winki-headquarters/give-yourself-a-creativity-reset-6-ways-coloring-mandalas-helps-you-get-your-sparkle-back