Three years ago, on my 40th birthday, (August 22) I made a life-changing decision: I scheduled an appointment with a bariatric surgeon.
My entire life, I battled with my weight. No matter what I tried, nothing provided long-term results. But in 2020, my weight spiraled out of control. I reached my heaviest, and it took a toll on my health.
My blood pressure was high.
My blood sugar was elevated.
My thyroid was all over the place (though to be fair, that had been an issue long before).
I had just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC).
My knees were in constant pain.
I wasn’t just unhealthy; I felt terrible in every way.
I needed a change—a jump start. So, in 2021, I set out on the journey to get approval for Gastric Sleeve surgery. I went through all the necessary tests and paperwork. The surgeon was on board, but the approval came with a condition: I had to improve my vitamin levels and work closely with a dietician.
I did the work. And in November 2021, I had the surgery. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Not everyone understood my choice. Some clients were disappointed. They asked, “Why didn’t you try dieting or exercising first?”—as if I hadn’t already tried that countless times. Others suggested weight loss drugs, not knowing that those options weren’t safe for me due to a family history of thyroid cancer. For the record, my mother passed away from a rare form of thyroid cancer.
Let me set the record straight: Surgery is not the easy way out. It doesn’t automatically keep the weight off. It takes a tremendous amount of work and dedication. But I can do hard things—and so can you.
Shame or just feeling bad about yourself often arises when you look in the mirror and don’t see the person you think should be there. The same can be said for our homes. When you look around and see clutter, it’s easy to feel embarrassed, especially when thinking about inviting others into your space. Just like my weight held me back from living the life I wanted, clutter can keep you from enjoying your home and your life to the fullest.
My struggle was with weight, but I’m no different from someone who struggles with clutter. We just have different battles to fight. Whether it’s weight, organization, time management, or clutter, we all face challenges that require effort every day.
Not everyone needs to understand your choices—whether it’s for surgery or for decluttering. I didn’t make the decision for surgery lightly; I researched extensively and chose what was right for me with the help of a skilled surgeon. But finding the right approach to decluttering can be even more challenging. Many people worry that my method might not work, and if they don’t see immediate results after the first session, they think they’ve made a mistake. The real mistake, though, is giving up too quickly. Like weight loss, decluttering is a journey that requires persistence and dedication. It’s not a deficiency in you; it’s a process that takes time and effort.
If you’ve ever felt a twinge of embarrassment or even shame when looking at the clutter in your home, know that you’re not alone. We all have areas of our lives where we feel we’re falling short. But just like I found the strength to face my weight issues head-on, you can tackle the clutter in your home. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
I created a Facebook group, wrote a book, launched a podcast, and developed the Journey to Organization online group decluttering sessions to support those who need help in these areas.
Life is hard, especially now, but one way to make it easier is by having less stuff, more organization, and a better grasp on how to structure your time.
Decluttering isn’t just about creating a tidy space; it’s about lifting the emotional weight that clutter brings. Every item you remove is one less thing holding you back, one step closer to a home and life that feel lighter, more manageable, and more joyful.
As I celebrate my 43rd birthday today, I encourage you to make this the year you take control of your life, too. It might not be a silver bullet, but it’s a start—and we all have to start somewhere.
Don’t let the shame of clutter keep you stuck. You deserve to live in a space that reflects the best version of yourself. Let’s work together to lift that emotional weight and create a home you can be proud of. Book a session today, and let’s tackle your challenges together!
In case you’re curious, I’ve lost 60 kg (about 132 pounds), and I’ve mostly kept it off. My health is so much better, and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! But it’s still a lot of hard work, and I have to keep up the effort, everyday!
Check out the journey to organization today – journeytoorganization.com – and message [email protected] if you want a free trial to get you started!