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Gray Silver's avatar

This really really spoke to me. I was just looking at email drafts I never sent that haunt me. Finally deleted!! I didn't know I could delete those. I thought I'd hold onto the unsent confessions forever. I hope to learn I can declutter and move forward and create space, starting with this one small, but also very big, step. Thank you for this <3

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Georgina Bednar's avatar

This is so bang on the money. I guess my challenge is how to let go or grieve when you try to declutter and the feeling won't go away. The emotional challenge won't resolve even when you face it. You've spoken your truth to a person and it hasn't shifted the energy. How do you close THAT tab?

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Hannah Banner's avatar

"you don’t erase the past; you simply stop redecorating it" yes.

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Teresa Coelho's avatar

Please publish a book. Your writting is simply spotless. It's so personal, so intimate, but so clear and calm. Your topics always on point, always at the rightest time. You're beautifully talented, truly. And, in all honesty, I really really hope you publish someday - I'll be the first one in line 🤍

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Linda Benton's avatar

I agree, Teresa! I'm OLD .... I am not really trying to reinvent nor prove myself at this point in my life --but when it comes to dealing with trauma of the past, when it comes to loss... loss of friends, loss of loved ones - when it comes to the changing landscape in marriage, the "emotional decluttering" is still a NEED.

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Eve's avatar

Thank you for this 🤍 reading this reminded me of the ongoing journey that I’m on while I try to navigate and regulate so many emotions at once. Especially in the fast-paced world that we live in, it’s easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Thank you for the gentle reminder to slow down, breathe easy and clear out emotional clutter

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As She Blooms's avatar

Needed this. I have been making a lot of plans about how I want November to be about declutterring and cleansing spiritually and mentally. I feel like I’ve reached my burnout and now it’s time to take inventory of what is keeping me depleted and throw it out. Thank you for this!

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Frances Leones's avatar

Having read this, I do think there might be some things I've been holding onto that could be better off gone from my soul.

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Ja’Lynn's avatar

It goes hand in hand with forgiveness. Of others, but also yourself and accepting situations as they are, not justifying for either side, but understanding and letting go

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Birgit / Mrs.Bimako's avatar

This is so beautifully written, Ayushi.

It made me think how much emotional clutter isn’t just personal. It’s cultural.

We’re taught (especially as women) to archive our guilt and exhaustion as proof that we’re good, responsible, caring.

But what if the clutter isn’t a flaw in us but it’s evidence of a world that keeps handing us more than one nervous system can carry?

Your piece feels like both a balm and an invitation to start returning what was never ours to hold.

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Khy's avatar

This is exactly what I needed to read at this moment. My gf and one of my friends had a conflict and it’s really okay for me and they’re okay cuz both of them are sensitive and they’re right in their own ways they just let it go right away after the fight but the one I regarded as my best friend literally put a blame on me and my gf like it’s all our faults. She didn’t even ask me to her birthday because of my gf involvement she doesn’t like her but it’s still okay THE POINT IS WHY SHES PRETENDING LIKE SHES A SUPER BEST FRIEND TO ME AND MY GF ON THE SURFACE WHILE SHES TALKING BAD ABOUT US. We felt like it’s a huge betrayal FULL OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND CHAGRIN TO HER . That case lingers in my head why she would do to us. It’s really consuming my energy and attention when I ruminate about it. Thank you for this post.🥰

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L A's avatar

Exactly what I needed to read this morning. So well stated and clearly explained, relatable, universal, validating, calming and reassuring. Thank you.

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Maria Schroeder's avatar

So great, thanks for a fantastic read. I'm ready to get rid of clothes from a prior period of my life that I've been holding onto for 3+ years, this really spoke to me.

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Emily Nebergall Maurek's avatar

Every. Word. Thank you for naming this.

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Pooja Shah's avatar

love your way with words and your raw honesty ayushi.. keep creating baby girl xo

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AMICA's avatar

This was so well written, and much NEEDED to say the least. This resonated with me to the core. Thank you for this ♥︎

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pottedssister's avatar

This is my favourite substack. This post hit so hard, it’s unreal how you can dive so deep into what I’m thinking or feeling. Loved every word.

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