Emily: Stephanie, many of us think of our homes as just places where we keep our stuff. Does clearing our physical space really have that much of an impact on our actual happiness?
Stephanie: Without question, yes. Our homes aren't just inert containers; they are alive and dynamic, just like we are. Think about how good a house feels after you’ve picked things up, or the lingering glow of a fun evening with friends. Everything — every thought, deed, and object — is a form of energy vibrating somewhere between stuck and spacious.
There is no separation between us and our homes. They reflect us, and depending on how we treat them, they either support us or oppress us. When you "love up" a space with compassionate awareness, you aren't just cleaning a room — you’re shifting the energy to lift yourself higher. Once you start feeling how nourishing a cleared space is, you won't ever want to stop.
Emily: You talk a lot about spaciousness, but it sounds like it’s more than just having empty shelves. What does that concept mean to you in a deeper sense?
Stephanie: To me, spaciousness is the ultimate equanimity. It’s that feeling of being in the flow — like when every green light syncs up perfectly, or when you can sit through a difficult conversation without getting ruffed or defensive. It’s that magic moment where a dragonfly lands on your shoulder and takes your breath away.
Spaciousness isn't something you "do" or "get"; it’s a quality of being that you cultivate. It is the palpable sense that all is very, very well and there is nothing you need to fix or make happen. The beauty is that, just like a muscle, your spaciousness muscle grows the more you practice being aware and unattached.
Emily: Clutter can be so emotional. How do your self-reflection tools like journaling and meditation help us deal with the spiritual side of letting go?
Stephanie: This is really the heart of everything I teach. As I see it, clearing clutter is ultimately an inside job. If we only move physical objects around without a shift in perspective, we aren't playing the long game.
When we use self-inquiry, our clutter actually becomes a teacher. It shows us where we are holding on and what we are afraid of. When you see that clearing isn't just a destination, but a pathway to personal transformation and freedom, the journey becomes doable and even fun. It gives us the best opportunity to practice the thing that challenges us most: the art of letting go.
Emily: You’re known for very practical, baby-step measures. Can you share a couple of your favorite quick clearing practices that we can start using today?
Stephanie: I love these because they are so simple, but don't be fooled — they’re designed that way to bypass the fight-or-flight triggers in your brain so you can actually create lasting change.
First, get a nice broom and just sweep. It could be a floor, the front steps, or even hard-to-reach cobwebs. You can use sweeping to invoke a fresh start, calm a noisy mind, or even open a path to a solution you’ve been looking for. Second, whenever you feel rattled or anxious, take a deep breath and repeat the phrase, "I choose ease". Allow the discomfort to just be there for a full minute, watching it like a curious observer. You’ll notice your breathing change and the energy start to shift from shallow to full.
Emily: Stephanie,how did you get into space clearing?
Stephanie: It really was a case of life taking a radical turn! In 1996, I walked away from a prestigious teaching job at the height of my career because I was completely burned out — I didn't know who I was anymore. While I was recovering from that exhaustion, I discovered to my horror that even though I was "neat and tidy," I had clutter squirreled away everywhere.
A friend dropped off a book on space clearing, and I just dove in. At the time, the field was relatively unknown, but I was fascinated by the idea of "invisibles" — those energetic disturbances that cause us to feel overwhelmed and stuck without us even knowing why. I ended up seeking out the best teachers, mastering dowsing, and completing two certification programs. I realized that we could actually harmonize a space and lift our own energy without lifting a finger, and I’ve been teaching that ever since.
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