I am always AMAZED by how full people's homes are, as if they
have a blindfold on and work against themselves and don't recognise their own
reality. Earlier this year a client decided to make a massive start on clearing
her clutter prior to my visit to do a Feng Shui consultation. She later told me
they had raised £1,200 from selling a lot of the items they no longer used or
needed. Another client I worked with recently couldn't see just how full and
overflowing her cupboards and rooms were, and she ALSO had a container full of
her belongings in storage! Even when I began my training to become a Feng Shui
Consultant I remember saying "I haven't got any clutter!", then ended up with a
room full of stuff that I didn't want or no longer used, and my goodness what a
liberating effect that had on my life! When you store SO many unwanted items
from your past, life is on hold as you are not letting go and moving on, so
let's begin the process and embrace your freedom by clearing some clutter! Here
is some inspiration to help you on your way:
YOUR HOME AS A MIRROR OF YOU
For most people this is your starting point
when consciously introducing Feng Shui into your home. Whatever size our home
is, we fill it with practical items, ornaments and artwork which create our
environment. In fact everyone uses Feng Shui as this is your personal choice of
how you live in your home and work environment. Some people naturally and
intuitively create a good supportive living space, and others can sabotage
themselves at times. As we are perpetually students at the University of Life,
whatever experience we have, we are always learning. Ideal Feng Shui principles
create a nurturing and supportive sanctuary which encourage a relaxing
atmosphere where we re-charge our batteries. Look around your home with a new
pair of eyes and what do you see? Now consider what's happening in your life,
and acknowledge similarities in the symbolism of whatever surrounds you. The
fact is the longer we live in a home, the more likely it is to become full of
items we have grown out of and really don't need anymore.
"LESS IS MORE"
These three words are very powerful in every
aspects of your life; "Less is more". As you begin to re-define your life you
become more focused on your goals. If any part of your home is so full you can't
cram anything else into it, this reflects there is no room for new opportunities
to come into your life. A huge clutter clear helps you to jump start your life
and release old memories and attachments, and helps you embrace the future with
a new found freedom. Make a habit that as soon as you bring something new into
the home, you let go of something you no longer need. This way energy continues
to move on, and so will you! It's like a vacuum effect, as you let go of the
past, you welcome in a new and vibrant future.
CLUTTER
The Oxford Dictionary defines clutter as a
"crowded and untidy collection of things". All clutter is stuck energy. If you
surround yourself with clutter then life can feel stuck in some way. Clutter can
slow you down and make you feel tired. Clearing makes you feel lighter and gives
you an instant energy boost. Energy levels also drop if you are surrounded by
items that are broken or incomplete, as this again is a reflection of something
within you that is broken or incomplete. Be very disciplined with yourself and
fix, complete or bin them. Let go of that mental list of clutter too and clear
your mind and become focused!
Categories of clutter are:
Items that you do not use or love
Items which are untidy or dis-organised
Too many things in too small a space
Anything unfinished or broken
The clutter test is:
Does it lift my energy when I think about it or look at it?
Do I absolutely love it and is it genuinely useful?
CLUTTER ZONES
Cupboards
These are often full of items we never use and can be cleared
quickly without causing major disruption to your living space. Bookshelves store
books that will often never be read again. The same can be said of CD, DVD and
video collections. Move them all on and make space for new experiences.
Tops Of Wardrobes and Dressers Items stored on top of
wardrobes and dressers can energetically stop your growth. Keep them clear.
Under Beds Clutter stored under beds creates a very stale
energy and can affect sleep patterns. Have a look under yours and see what you
find, especially if you have a teenager in the home? Keep this area clear!
Under The Stairs I have seen these cupboards full to
bursting point of items that haven't moved for years! Completely empty them and
freshen up the area with a light shade of paint, and only put back items that
are used regularly to keep energy moving.
Behind Doors When doors have hooks on the back often random
items such as bags and dressing gowns are hung on them, then the door cannot
open fully. This reflects not being able to fully open yourself to opportunities
in life.
Bedroom and Kitchen Draws How often do you have a quick
tidy up before a visitor arrives, and eventually end up with a drawer full of
bits and pieces, which can range from elastic bands to unopened mail, and
everything in between. Have a regular clear and sort out, and then you'll always
be on top of everything.
Wardrobes It is a well known fact we normally wear 20% of
our clothes 80% of the time. How many wardrobes have items stored in them that
are out of fashion, don't fit any more, are worn out, full of one colour (often
black!), or colours that the person no longer wears? Clearing your wardrobe is
great as it can help us have a new look at our image, and as you review and
renew you can re-model yourself into a whole new energised person.
Handbags You can even read a person by the contents of their
handbag! Are you willing to open yourself to the world?
Loft This area of your home reflects your higher
aspirations, you aims and ideals. If it's full and overloaded, you have an
invisible weight bearing down on you which energetically blocks your growth. For
many people this is the first massive clear out when introducing Feng Shui and
is guaranteed every time to light the blue touch paper of life.
Cellar This area of your home reflects your lower
aspirations, your foundation and where you've come from. Many cellars I've seen
have been full of broken items. Clear it!
Garage / Shed / Garden Often these spaces are full of untidy
storage and broken items. Keep these spaces clear and tidy and make them work
for you.
ARTWORK AND ORNAMENTS
Every home tells it's own story with the symbolic choice of artwork and
ornaments, and these are always a give away to what is happening in a persons'
life. When you look at each of your pictures, ask yourself; "Do I really love
it?" and" How do I feel when I look at it?". If you cannot give a positive
response to either of these questions, then it's time to move these images on
and let them be the first to go when you begin your clearing process. Also, look
at the symbolism of the pictures and ensure they are in alignment with your
current aims and intentions. I find single people often surround themselves with
pictures of people alone, often naked or semi-naked looking dreamy and sad, and
guess what - this is what is happening to them! Displays of single items
indicate independence, loneliness and isolation, so place your ornaments in
pairs to encourage unity, harmony and togetherness in your life. Pictures of
battle scenes reflect aggressive behaviour and reflect constant aggressive
situations. Ultimately in your new Feng Shui life, choose to surround yourself
with pleasing imagery and items that you love to ensure a smooth flowing and
harmonious lifestyle, as everything in your home is a mirror and reflection of
your current emotional situation.
BE DISCIPLINED IN YOUR SORTING
My best advice is clutter clear everything you own. I've come across people
who have paid to keep items in storage units for years, and even in other
peoples' homes! Understand all of your belongings are a part of you, and until
you sort them out they will hold you in the past. Let go and free yourself and
embrace a whole new you! When items are no longer useful to you, it's time to
let go! Even if you dedicate only 5 minutes a day to your clearing, this adds up
to 35 minutes in a week. Once you start clutter clearing it can be very
addictive! It is important to stay focused and not get sentimental with
emotional attachments while you are clearing. Be disciplined and handle things
only once, and decide what to do with it straight away:!
Give it to a charity shop
Offer it to someone who will make use of it
Put it in the bin
Re-cycle it if possible or take it to the rubbish tip
When you have cleared your clutter take it away as soon as
possible. Avoid storing it in the home as this will defeat the whole object of
the exercise. !!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
It's amazing how much lighter you will feel as you clear your
space of the physical baggage. Keep up the good work on an ongoing basis and
look forward to a new found freedom and embrace the new opportunities that come
to you!
ON A VERY PERSONAL NOTE
With the general availability of technology in today's world, I believe we
will embrace a natural trend of becoming lighter and freer, as individuals
travel more and keep a lot of resources on their computers, overriding the need
for reference books. This will also be more eco-friendly and supportive to the
environment as we will need less paper, and the future of the rain-forests will
be secured. Also, having cleared a number of homes for family members who have
passed on, I am very certain I don't want anyone looking through ALL my personal
belongings! I recommend you keep up to date with your life and do the same!
Recommended reading: Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen
Kingston
ISBN 0-7499-1824-1
Vandaeh Works