De-Clutter the Feng Shui Way

Clutter is low, stagnant, and confusing energy that constantly drains energy from you. Depending on the feng shui area of your home where your clutter is located, it can also negatively influence, or even completely block, the flow of energy and events in many areas of your life.

The reason most people avoid clearing the clutter is not because it takes effort and it can be time consuming. The real reason is the fact that clutter clearing is a very emotional process that feels like therapy, so yes, it takes emotional stamina to go through it.

Once you clear most of your clutter with feng shui and have a clear system to avoid its accumulation in the future, you will start experiencing high energy levels, more clarity, and a heightened sense of well-being. Wouldn't you agree this is definitely worth the hard work and the extra effort it takes to apply feng shui to clear your clutter?


      Feng Shui is the ancient art of enhancing one's environment according to the principles of harmony and energy flow.  Feng (wind) and Shui (water) are the two elements for human survival that flow, move, and circulate everywhere on earth.  These combined qualities determine climate, food supply, and our life energy and mood.
     The Chinese have known for millennia that our physical surroundings affect every aspect of inner and outer lives.  They've long recognized the distinct relationship between success in life and good Feng Shui.  Many successful people now create harmony and happiness in their relationships, increase their prosperity and decrease chronic patterns of failure, difficulty and stress by rearranging their living and working environments according the ancient Feng Shui principles.
     Feng Shui is the art of designing environments in harmony with the flow of CHI through one’s living space, and this flow supports and enhances one’s personal CHI. This practice is rooted in a holistic worldview which sees all things and creatures as part of a natural order, a vast environment that is alive and in flux, ever moving and changing. Everything, plants, animals, people, is part of a vast landscape that swirls with vital energy. The same energy that flows through the world flows through us too. Actually, accordingly to the Feng Shui principles, our essence, (the part that makes us alive, unique and vital) is energy.
     The Chinese determined that everything in the universe is composed of two qualities of energy that are complimentary and opposite: yin and yang. Yin symbolizes the passive side of nature. Yang symbolizes the active side of nature. Everything contains different quantities of yin and yang. The amount of yin or yang determines what kind of environments we have to deal with (too much yin brings lack of energy, difficulty to change and develop; too much yang creates a disruptive environment).
     Fortunately, by applying sensible Feng Shui principles one can reverse negative patterns and strengthen positive ones to maximize the chances of success. The bottom line is that Feng Shui can help you improve your environment easily, directly, and powerfully. And if applied correctly, your life can become easier and happier in essential areas- relationships, career, wealth, family connections and more. You may be amazed at how many life obstacles can be “cleared” with simple energy shifts that one can perform in the home or the office.
     The first step is to clear clutter but especially clutter on the floor.  Try to have nothing touching the floor as this drags energy downwards in the home and in the office.

Feng shui definition: Clutter is low, stagnant, blocked energy that drains energy from you and lowers the quality of your life.

Down-to-earth definition: Anything that you do not use, do not like, or do not have a place for IS clutter. Either use it, like it, find a place for it, or let it go. It is that easy.

     In order for this brilliant feng shui clutter clearing system to work, you have to promise yourself to be very brave and honest. The more honest you are, the more you will benefit from the powerful results of a new, fresh and potent feng shui energy in your home.
     You have to be very clear with the feeling you want to bring to the space you are working on, and do your best to embody this feeling even before you start your clutter clearing session.
      Here's the one "MUST" condition for a successful feng shui clutter clearing session.

• Do not ever start a clutter clearing session, especially in an area that has been blocked by clutter for a long time, without first bringing beautiful, light, vibrant energy with you.

This can be anything that makes you feel good: from taking a shower and applying some make-up before your clutter clearing session to listening to your favorite music or placing a vase of fresh fragrant flowers close to you. Several other ideas:

• Diffuse energizing essential oils in the air with an electric or a candle diffuser. You can also use an essential oils air spray. Peppermint, eucalyptus and/or lemongrass are the most popular oils for a clutter clearing session, but test different oils and see which one supports your vitality the best and energizes you the most.


• If you are familiar with smudging, you can smudge the area before you start, as well as after each session. Or, use a natural herbal incense during your clutter clearing session. A small candle can help cleanse the energy around you, too.


• Bring a personal crystal, or a powerful crystal formation close to you. You can also wear your crystals, something really simple to support your energy and keep you protected. A simple black tourmaline bracelet or a carnelian pendant can do wonders for your subtle energy.


• Have live energy, energy that is in motion, such as music, a water fountain or fresh flowers; they will bring vital Chi to help eliminate the low and detrimental clutter vibes.


• Sufficient and happy lighting will take good care of your energy, too. Do not work in the dark, bring in as much light as you can! (Please be sure to avoid overhead fluorescent lighting, as it will drain your energy and vitality even quicker than clutter does.)

Do not overlook the secret of bringing good energy with you, as without it, the chances of you really clearing your clutter are much, much lower.

PLANNING:

• Plan the time for your clutter clearing session(s). For the first three sessions, plan no more than 30 min per session.


• Plan the time to treat yourself after each session. This IS mandatory, do not skip this step; clutter clearing is hard work, especially on the emotional level. A nice cup of tea with a friend, a movie or a walk by the beach, you decide.

SUPPLIES:

• Three (3) bags or boxes. Basically we will be sorting your clutter in 3 categories. Mark them accordingly as the In Box, the Out Box and the I Don't Know! Box.


• A clock to watch the time. You want to stick to the exact time for each session, especially in the beginning.

OK, let's finally do some clutter clearing!

So, let's say you are facing a big pile of items you do not know what to do about. You cannot make one decision about them all, this is impossible. Here's what you do:

1. Find an energetic rhythm that works for you and do not slow down. Active, energizing music can help, you can choose it ahead of time.


2. Place the 3 boxes close to you. Re-affirm that you do not have to make any choices other than having the IN BOX (the item is needed), the OUT BOX (the item is not needed), or the DON'T KNOW BOX (can't decide right now) filled.


3. Pick up an item from your clutter pile and QUICKLY place it in one of the 3 boxes. If you are taking more than 30 sec to 1 minute to decide about an item, you are not doing it right (remember you have the I DON'T KNOW box, use it!)*


4. Proceed in the same energetic rhythm with each item in your clutter pile until the session time is up. Do not slow down your pace, keep it the same throughout the whole clutter clearing session.


5. Do not go over the initial 30 min. Once the time is up, you're done for the day. Pat yourself on the back and go have some fun. You did great!


• The reason I say "QUICKLY place it in one of the 3 boxes" is because your initial reaction is usually accurate. If you hesitate and do not know what to do about an item, place it in the "I don't know" box, this is what it's there for.

Clutter is low, stagnant, and confusing energy that constantly drains energy from you. Depending on the feng shui area of your home where your clutter is located, it can also negatively influence, or even completely block, the flow of energy and events in many areas of your life.

The reason most people avoid clearing the clutter is not because it takes effort and it can be time consuming. The real reason is the fact that clutter clearing is a very emotional process that feels like therapy, so yes, it takes emotional stamina to go through it.

Once you clear most of your clutter with feng shui and have a clear system to avoid its accumulation in the future, you will start experiencing high energy levels, more clarity, and a heightened sense of well-being. Wouldn't you agree this is definitely worth the hard work and the extra effort it takes to apply feng shui to clear your clutter?