Clearing Clutter, Room by Room

Feng Shui provides a lot of insight about clutter. Clutter gets in the way of healthy Chi, the life-force energy that’s present in everything. Chi energy needs a clear open path through your home so it can bring its positive benefits into every part of your life.

Clutter slows down or even stops Chi energy, causing it to stagnate and make you feel stuck — and most importantly interfering with your ability to live your richest, most abundant life.

Besides, every unloved or unnecessary item in your home takes up room that could be used for something better.

Let’s take a look at clearing clutter, room by room.

Clutter around the entryway – Since the entrance to your home is the “mouth of Chi,” clutter here literally blocks the flow of positive energy into your space. The entry is connected with your path in life, so accumulated stuff here may make you feel that your path is unnecessarily difficult. Try keeping this area clear to see how great it feels to enter and leave your home smoothly and easily.

Living room clutter – The heart of your home, the living room is associated with family life, children and community. Clutter here creates distance by getting in the way of your connections with family and friends. Keep it cozy but clutter-free!

Clutter in the bedroom – Are you having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, or connecting with a romantic partner? Clutter in your bedroom is sure to kill feelings of relaxation and romance, and may keep you feeling stuck in the past. Bedroom clutter includes too many books or papers and stuff you don’t know what else to do with. Clear it away and give your personal sanctuary a fresh start.

Clutter in the kitchen – The kitchen — the stomach of your home — needs to be healthy & nutritious all the way. Clutter here prevents you from “digesting” the events in your life, and especially from enjoying your kitchen to its fullest as you cook with and enjoy the company of family and friends. Be sure your kitchen is clean and clutter-free so good energy can circulate.

Clutter in hallways – The passageways of your home are like the spinal cord or main arteries of your body. Clutter here can have damaging health consequences, starting with the frustrating fact that there’s something in your way every time you move from room to room. Besides clearing hallways, make sure doors open all the way – clear the space behind them so Chi energy can flow freely into each room.

Bathroom clutter – The bathroom serves two important, intimate functions: it’s the place where we eliminate toxins and also where we clean up and care for ourselves. A cluttered bathroom may be symbolic of an unwillingness to let go of toxic emotional baggage. Create a bathroom you love, a place that makes you happy to go into and take great care of yourself. When you finish cleaning it out, give yourself a treat and lift the energy by adding a beautiful live (or silk) plant!

Clutter in closets, garages, attics and basements – They say “there’s no hiding from Feng Shui eyes.” If you’re lucky enough to have an attic and/or basement, you’re burdened by the stuff you’ve squirreled away there whether you see it every day or not: you always know it’s there, begging to be dealt with.

A garage where you can barely fit your car interferes with your ability to get out in the world and make things happen.

And overcrowded closets just get in the way of life in general, preventing you from finding things you need, and looking and feeling your best. Closets can be symbolic of things you don’t want to deal with, too: clearing one out can be amazingly cathartic!

Clear your clutter and give your Chi a lift. You’ll be glad you did.

Comments

1. This page says a lot to me. I can tell you, that, I personally, being a visual person, am troubled by the cluttered that gathers in my home. I can feel its physical pull. It magnetically attracts you to it, and it’s difficult to get away from sometimes. Metaphorically, extra, useless, or unfiled stuff keeps you stuck. in the Springtime I am very good at letting go and organizing, but the winter reverses things a bit. No doubt though, I feel physically lifted when I release that which isn’t serving me. Lighter all around.

   Comment by Gloria — December 17, 2009 @ 11:02 pm

2. Gloria, I’m so glad this post resonated with you. You’re absolutely right about the impact that clutter has on us all. It keeps us feeling stuck. You might enjoy the book “Clearing Clutter with Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston, which is a classic on this topic. Thanks for commenting!

   Comment by Ann — December 18, 2009 @ 8:30 am

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