Guest blog post by Marla Gitterman, Treehouse Coaching
As a life coach, or personal development coach, my role is to help you navigate the challenges in your life and grow through them. In essence, I help you declutter your inner world—much like how we organize and simplify our physical space. Working with a coach allows you to unpack your thoughts, gain clarity, and identify what’s holding you back. It's often the first time people open up and share their inner voices with another person, creating the space for reflection, healing, and growth.
Decluttering your mind through coaching is a powerful gift you can give yourself. It's not just about clearing mental clutter—it's about making room for new possibilities, greater focus, and a deeper connection with your authentic self.
When Should You Consider Hiring a Life Coach?
There are times in life when we all feel stuck, lost, or overwhelmed. These moments are perfect opportunities to seek the support of a life coach. In the early stages of a coaching relationship, I often sense my clients’ inner clutter—like walking into a crowded room with too much furniture or being trapped in a dark, disorganized closet with no way out. If any of the following resonate with you or someone you love, it might be time to consider coaching:
You feel stuck, uncertain, or unfocused.
You desire more from your career, relationships, or life in general.
You’re questioning your purpose or your impact on the world.
You long for greater fulfillment and personal satisfaction.
You’re facing a specific obstacle or trying to achieve a major goal.
You’ve lost touch with your authentic self and want to reconnect with the present.
You’d benefit from having someone to hold you accountable and help you stay on track.
Five Actions to Declutter Your Inner Life
If you're ready to begin clearing mental and emotional clutter, here are some practices that can help you get started:
1. Rewrite the Story in Your Head
What does your inner voice tell you that holds you back? Do you hear things like, “I don’t have time,” “I’m not good enough,” or “Other people have it worse, so I shouldn’t complain?” These thoughts can keep you stuck in patterns that don’t serve you. Take a moment to write down the story playing in your head, then get creative and rewrite it—focusing on the outcomes you truly want.
2. Live in the Present Moment
Are you prone to catastrophizing, constantly worrying about the worst-case scenario, or spiraling into “what-if” thinking? It’s easy to get lost in fear of the future, but real change happens when we focus on what’s happening right now. Shift your attention to the present. What’s happening in this moment? What can you honor and appreciate right now? What do you truly want right now? By grounding yourself in the here and now, you’ll find clarity and a greater sense of peace.
3. Become Familiar with Your Triggers
What specific people, situations, or experiences cause you to feel triggered or out of control? Start noticing the moments when your inner voice goes off course—what are you feeling, and what are you fearing in these moments? Developing greater awareness of your emotional triggers allows you to respond with intention instead of reacting unconsciously. Each time you identify a trigger, ask yourself: What change do I want to create for myself moving forward?
4. Create a Metaphor for Your Inner Clutter
Sometimes, thinking creatively can help you gain perspective. Choose a metaphor that represents your current mental or emotional clutter. Are you like a whirling dervish, a tangled knot, or an overstuffed suitcase? Visualizing your inner world this way can give you insight into what’s working and what’s not. How does this metaphor make you feel? What needs to change to restore balance or clarity?
5. Seek Help and Support
Sometimes, the best way to declutter your inner world is to seek help. Just as you might hire Clutter Kicker to organize your home, working with a coach can help you organize and declutter your thoughts, emotions, and life direction. If you’re ready to get started, I invite you to schedule a free sample coaching session with me. Together, we’ll explore your goals and begin the process of clearing the mental and emotional clutter that’s holding you back.
About the Author
Marla Gitterman is a Certified Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC) and the founder of Treehouse Coaching. She works with individuals seeking meaningful change in their lives, helping them navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence. Marla specializes in coaching adults at crossroads, as well as parents, nonprofit leaders, and institutions, providing tailored coaching experiences that inspire growth, accountability, and lasting transformation.
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