Separating from Divorce Clutter

 It was hard for Sharon to walk into her office. She felt completely overwhelmed by "tons of horrible papers." 

The papers represented a "horrible" divorce, which was largely over, yet burdened her still.

Before we started organizing, we needed to get some distance between the divorce and the papers, and filing. Her past had to be put in it's proper place. 

  After all, she wanted to get on with her life.

Sometimes you don't have to go through your past to get to your present, especially if it feels overwhelming to do so. First things first.

Coaching her over the phone, Sharon boxed, labeled and taped the divorce papers shut. Fourteen (14!) boxes went down to the basement, under the staircase! She even put stuff in front of them, making them thoroughly out of sight. 

Only half a box of divorce papers remained in her office, representing stuff she was still working out. What a difference! She no longer had to climb through her clutter (divorce, papers and past) to get to her present life.

Walking back into her office, Sharon told me she felt stronger, safer, calmer... more in control. It was still a mess, but organizing wasn't the problem.  She could go through the "horrible papers" in the basement when she felt better, if she wished.

Relieved that her time would no longer be "stolen by the divorce," she was now free to start organizing ing her office. Instead of dreading it, Sharon was surprised to find herself "looking forward to it." Imagine that!