Clutter We Carry: How Trauma Shows Up in Our Space
People often associate clutter with laziness or disorganization. But when you’ve been through trauma, clutter isn’t just mess. It’s a symptom. It’s a shield. Sometimes, it’s the only structure standing between you and total collapse. I’m not talking about hoarding. I’m talking about the stacks of papers you never sorted. The books you swear you’ll read when you have energy. The bags of clothes you meant to donate months ago. The junk drawer that grew legs and took over the dining table. And at the root of it? It’s not laziness. It’s not poor time management. It’s trauma. The Invisible Storm When your nervous system has been in overdrive for years—fighting to survive, pushing through emotional pain, financial fear, loneliness, or grief—the last thing your brain prioritizes is color-coded shelves and spotless floors. Add in a packed schedule, physical exhaustion, and emotional flashbacks, and you’ve got the perfect storm for what I call trauma clutter. This isn’t about being untidy. This...
