Addiction to Clutter
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Underneath all addictions lies fear - of emptiness, helplessness, loneliness and aloneness. Addictions are a way to feel safe from feeling
these difficult and painful feelings, and an addiction to clutter is no exception. It's all about having a sense of control over feeling safe.
Clutter, like all addictions, provides a momentary feeling of comfort. However, as with any addiction, the clutterer needs more and more clutter
to maintain the illusion of safety and comfort.
When we don't feel safe on the inner level, then we try to make ourselves feel safe on the outer level, and clutter is one way of doing that.
Whether it's things, such as hair dryers, or information, such as in magazines and newspapers, clutterers do not trust that they will have what they
need. In addition, clutterers may be resistant people who see messiness and clutter as a way of not being controlled by someone who wants them to be neat.
Clutter is created and maintained by a wounded, frightened part of oneself, the wounded self - the part that operates from the illusion of having
control over people, events, and outcomes. As long as this wounded self is in charge of the decisions, the clutterer will continue to accumulate
clutter as a way to provide comfort and the illusion of control over feeling safe, or continue to be messy as a way to resist being controlled.
Healing occurs when the individual does the inner work necessary to develop a strong, loving adult self. A loving adult is the aspect of us that
opens to and connects with a spiritual source of wisdom, strength, and love and is capable of taking loving action in our own behalf.
The loving adult operates from truth rather than from the false beliefs of the wounded self, and knows that the comfort and safety that clutter
seems to provide is an illusion - that no matter how much clutter accumulates, the clutterer still feels afraid. The loving Adult knows that
safety and integrity do not lie in resistance. Only a loving adult who is tuned in to the guidance provided by a spiritual source and capable of
taking loving action in one's own behalf can create a sense of inner safety.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
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