To effectively “Feng Shui” clutter, we’re referring to a process that removes the stuff in our immediate surroundings that no longer contributes value…(some of this stuff may never have had much to contribute!). It’s the stuff that bogs us down and keeps us locked in place in some way.
Amazingly enough, this very same “stuff” has a way of preventing us from moving forward in our lives. It has a way of wearing us down and tiring us out. This is an accurate definition of clutter, in Feng Shui terms.
Clutter clearing is what is known as a pillar concept in Feng Shui. It is one of the first steps, as well as on of the most vitally important steps you can take that will set you free on many levels–the physical, the emotional and the spiritual.
Often when people think of what Feng Shui means, they think of getting rid of clutter…no surprise there!
The subject of clutter clearing in feng shui course wofs.com is large enough to warrant a complete book, and in fact, complete books have been written solely on this subject. For the purpose of getting started…for getting “unstuck” and for initiating positive energy flows in your environment, we’ll focus on three things you can do right now for more clarity in your life that will also contribute to your spiritual well being:
- Make a start. This is probably the hardest part. There is no time like the present…it is all we really have! Do the biggest favor for yourself that you could do today and begin the process of clearing away some clutter and re-organizing your belongings.
How to know where to start? Look at your life–where are you most stuck? If your career is at a standstill, start with your career region. If your love life isn’t what you want it to be, begin with the romance region or your bedroom.
- Make piles. Now that you’ve decided to start, make three separate piles. The first pile is stuff that could be given away or sold. The second pile is stuff that just needs a new home and still serves a purpose. These could be items that you don’t use all that often, but are still valuable enough to keep. The third pile is stuff that just needs to be tossed.
- Practice the Feng Shui art of discernment. This is the rule you can apply to anything that you own. Apply these criteria now, as you sort through existing belongings, and in the future, when you decide whether or not to acquire an item.
Simply ask yourself–“do I love or care for this item? Is it serving a useful purpose and/or do I enjoy having this around? Am I neutral about it or does this make me feel lousy in some way?” If the answer is yes, you care for the item then make sure the item has a place to be. I remember talking with a friend one time–she made a comment in passing that “everything has its place.”
If the answer is no, you don’t care for the item or it no longer serves a useful purpose–you know what to do and there are a couple of piles from point #2 above ready and waiting to receive it…so in a sense, even your clutter has its place, just as my friend once remarked.