Clutter and Productivty, Overwhelm and Letting Go

April 7, 2026/Julie Stobbe/

Reading Time – 8 minutes

I was given some questions to prepare for an interview. They were very thought-provoking, and I am going to share my answers in this blog.

My Journey into Organizing

I have always been a naturally organized person. I would organize summer vacations for my family, lessons for teaching vacation bible school, themed potluck lunches for friends, swimming parties, and many other fun events. After I graduated from university, I looked for an organizing job. I didn’t see any businesses that were hiring employees. I became a teacher, a gymnastics coach, and a sessional instructor at a university. After my kids left home, I googled Professional Organizing and found Professional Organizers in Canada. I googled some organizers to see how you became one and jumped in with two feet to start a business. That was in 2006. I have loved my job ever since. This magazine article has a more in-depth answer to this question.

How Does Physical Clutter Connect with Emotional Overwhelm?

Many people start to worry about how to deal with everything they own. Cleaning, storing and organizing everything makes them feel anxious. A feeling of life being out of control. There is also mental fatigue from all the decisions that need to be made about what to keep, who I can give this to, and where I can donate it. People tell me that taking control of their physical space feels like a weight has been lifted, and they feel lighter. Reducing the items that have been around and unused makes room for new pursuits, ideas and pathways. It helps to motivate people to see a new life.

Why Does Letting Go Feel So Challenging?

There are many reasons why letting go of items is diffficult and it will be different for each person. Some people confer an emotion on objects like love. When they give away the object, they feel like they are losing love and don’t know where they will find love again. They hold on tightly to objects. Some objects were obtained at events or from someone special. The memory attached to the objects makes the object important and hard to pass on to someone else. It is important to remember that you can still have the memory without the object. It can be a personality trait; some people are more sentimental than others. It will be harder for some people to let go. They need support and understanding. There can be a fear of giving things away. People may feel like they will hurt the giver’s feelings if they don’t keep it. Remember, when a gift is given, it now belongs to the receiver, and they can do what they want with the things they own. Letting go of things doesn’t mean you need to give everything away. It means to reduce the sentimental object so that the ones that are kept are special and important.

How Does Organizing Support Clarity, Productivity and Life Transitions?

Letting go of the past and the objects you no longer need makes space in your life for you to change and grow. One gentleman was downsizing and had to give up most of his tools. He was a handyman to many family members and friends. He felt a great loss. People called to ask for his help, but he said he couldn’t do the work anymore. People said, “That’s OK. Come over and teach me how to do it.” From handyman to teacher. I am a good example. I worked part-time when my children were at home. As they left home, I let go of the full-time parent role and became a business owner. I have a poem I like sharing because it has this wonderful line, “not everything is meant to stay forever”. As life changes, what is important in life also changes. Embrace the change.

Some Insights For People Who Are Feeling Stuck

Start small – Have a box or a bag in a convenient spot. Every time you see something you no longer need, want or use, put it in the box. Donate the box each week. Keep gradually moving things out of your home.

Don’t pressure yourself to do your organizing perfectly. Organize something and keep adjusting it until it works well for you.

Donating items can be a big stumbling block for some people. If you can find a good home for things, it can be easier to let go of things:

Books – book sales
Towels, soap, shampoos, razors – donate to a place that provides free showers for people without homes
Warm coats and clothes – donate to mobile clothing vans that take clothing to people without homes
Food – donate to food banks
Recycling – it can be easier to let go of pens, batteries, printer cartridges and electronics when you know where to recycle them instead of putting them in the landfill.

I would love to work with you to help you overcome any roadblocks in your life so you can become more productive, less overwhelmed and full of space for new challenges.

Book a complimentary 30 minute organizing chat with me!

Julie Stobbe is the 2024-2025 winner of the Harold Taylor Award for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry and Professional Organizers in Canada. As a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach, she brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides, mentors and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.