Introduction to Clutterers Anonymous
Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) is a 12-step support group for individuals who struggle with clutter. This fellowship provides a safe, structured space for those who want to stop cluttering and live a more peaceful and organized life.
The only requirement for CLA membership is a desire to stop cluttering. Meetings are available in person, by phone, and online, making support accessible to all. The CLA program is also guided by a set of traditions that provide essential support and structure for members as they navigate their recovery journey. CLA is based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, offering a spiritual foundation and strong community support.
Understanding the Common Problem of Clutter
Cluttering is a common problem that can affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Many people live with clutter for years, feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or ashamed.
The CLA program helps individuals address the emotional and behavioral roots of clutter, offering tools for change. The CLA recovery program can help individuals identify and address the underlying causes of their cluttering habits, providing a structured path to recovery. This includes a self-assessment questionnaire to find whether clutter is disrupting daily functioning or personal peace.
Stop Cluttering by Addressing the Root Causes
To stop cluttering, it’s essential to go deeper than surface-level organization. Emotional attachment to items, fear of loss, and anxiety often underlie cluttering habits. CLA encourages honest self-reflection and offers tools such as literature and sponsorship to support lasting change.
The Power of Clutterers Anonymous
Being part of CLA membership connects you with people who understand. Meetings allow members to share openly and hear others’ experiences. This mutual support helps reduce feelings of shame and isolation that clutter can bring.
CLA members work the 12 steps, often with the help of a sponsor, to heal from the inside out and create lasting change in their homes and lives.
The 12-Step Program of Clutterers Anonymous: A Foundation for Recovery
The 12-Step program is a cornerstone of the Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) recovery process, providing a structured approach to overcoming clutter and disorganization. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), this program offers a proven framework for individuals to address their struggles with clutter and work towards a more organized and fulfilling life. By following the 12 Steps, CLA members can gain insight into their behaviors, develop strategies for change, and find support from others who share their common problem.
The CLA program is designed to help individuals achieve freedom from physical, mental, and spiritual clutter. It provides the tools and inspiration needed to maintain a clutter-free life. To get started, individuals can take our self-assessment questionnaire to find out if the CLA program is right for them. Once they have a clearer understanding, they can find a meeting near their address or zip code to attend and begin their journey towards recovery.
CLA Tools of Recovery
The CLA tools of recovery are practical resources designed to help individuals stay on track. These tools include meeting attendance, sponsorship, journaling, literature, and phone support. Together, they form a strong framework for achieving a clutter-free life.
By consistently using these tools, members build confidence and momentum, even when challenges arise.
Strategies for Recovery: Practical Approaches
Recovery from clutter and disorganization requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates practical strategies and tools. CLA members can benefit from a variety of techniques, including the use of CLA tools of recovery, such as the self-assessment questionnaire, and participation in support groups where members share their experience, strength, and hope. Additionally, individuals can invite family and friends, health care providers, or maintenance workers into their home. This can provide a new perspective on their clutter and help develop a plan for change.
The CLA program also emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time, focusing on making progress rather than achieving perfection. By using these strategies and tools, individuals can overcome their common problem with clutter and achieve a more organized and fulfilling life. The CLA newsletter contains members’ stories of inspiration and recovery, providing hope and motivation for those on the path to recovery.
Phone Recovery Meetings and Online Access
CLA makes it easy to connect with support. Phone recovery meetings are available multiple times a day for those who cannot attend in person. Online meetings and forums also allow members to stay engaged from anywhere.
This flexible approach supports ongoing recovery and helps individuals avoid isolation.
Find a Meeting Near You
It’s simple to find a meeting near you. Visit the official CLA website and use the meeting finder to search by address or zip code. Whether in-person, by phone, or online, there’s always a way to connect with the CLA program.
Take Our Self-Assessment Questionnaire
If you’re unsure whether CLA is right for you, we encourage you to take our self-assessment. This questionnaire can help you identify areas of concern and give you clarity on whether your cluttering habits are affecting your life.
Members’ Stories of Inspiration and Recovery
Members’ stories of inspiration are a powerful part of the CLA program. These real-life accounts share how others found healing and transformation through the 12 steps. They’re often featured in the CLA newsletter, bringing hope and motivation to newcomers.
By reading these stories, new members find courage and encouragement in knowing they’re not alone.
Overcoming Challenges on the Path to Recovery
Overcoming challenges on the path to recovery from clutter and disorganization can be difficult, but with the right support and tools, individuals can achieve freedom from physical, mental, and spiritual clutter. One of the biggest challenges many people face is feeling embarrassed to invite family and friends into their home due to clutter. However, the CLA program encourages members to take this step as a way of gaining insight and developing a plan for change.
The CLA program also provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to share their struggles and successes, and to connect with others who understand their common problem. By attending CLA face-to-face or phone recovery meetings, individuals can find the support and inspiration they need to overcome their challenges and achieve a clutter-free life. The CLA website and page provide a wealth of information and resources, including the self-assessment questionnaire, to help individuals get started on their journey towards recovery. With the right mindset and support, individuals can stop cluttering and start living a more organized and fulfilling life, finding hope to solve their common problem with clutter.
Achieve Freedom from Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Clutter
The goal of CLA is to achieve freedom from physical, mental, and spiritual clutter. Recovery is about more than tidying up—it’s about finding peace, connection, and clarity in all areas of life.
As members work the steps and engage in the community, they often experience a dramatic improvement in their emotional and spiritual health.
Maintaining Motivation Through the CLA Program
Staying motivated can be challenging, but the CLA program is built to support long-term recovery. Between sponsorship, meetings, and the CLA tools of recovery, individuals are never alone in their efforts.
Regular check-ins, celebrating milestones, and sharing in meetings help members stay on track—even when progress feels slow.
Living a Clutter-Free Life
A clutter-free life brings mental clarity, emotional freedom, and a deeper connection with others. Through CLA, individuals not only remove the clutter from their homes—they heal the deeper wounds that clutter often represents.
With support and willingness, anyone can break the cycle and discover the peace of living in an organized space.
Take the First Step
If clutter is disrupting your life, CLA offers a proven path to recovery. The CLA program, with its structured steps, compassionate community, and practical tools, helps members make lasting change.
Start by finding a meeting or taking our self-assessment questionnaire. Connect with the fellowship, share your journey, and begin to achieve freedom from physical, mental, and spiritual clutter—one day at a time.