Clear the Clutter From Your Life

Feng shui is the ancient art of balancing and harmonizing the energy of a place to create health, wealth and happiness in the lives of those who live or work there. It is based on specific principles that are incorporated into the design to enhance the flow of energy. However, clutter can impede the flow of energy so much that feng shui cannot work. An energy connection exists between you and each object you own, so whether you realize it or not, the stagnant energy that collects around clutter affects you. Clearing the clutter removes that stagnant energy and creates whole new possibilities in your life.

The main thing I have learned from my own clutter clearing experiences and those of others is how liberating it is. To experience this for yourself, take your feng shui journal in hand, make a tour around your home, recording any clutter you have, room by room. There are four categories of clutter:

Then devise a written schedule for clearing it all. Begin with small areas that irritate you the most and work your way up to larger projects, always breaking them down into bite-sized manageable chunks so that you will not feel overwhelmed. Always keep your goal in mind and ask yourself: Is it more important to keep this object and stay rooted in the past, or shall I let it go to create space for a better life? The best way to decide if it stays or goes is to feel whether it raises your energy or causes it to drop. Only keep those things that are revitalizing.

Of course physical clutter clearing is only the beginning. Soon you will realize there are many other levels to look at. There's the mental clutter of all kinds of loose ends and unfinished business. There's the emotional clutter of hurts you've been holding on to. And there's spiritual clutter—which is everything that obscures your view of your purpose in life and prevents you from fulfilling it. Record all these in your journal as you become aware of them.