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Starting the Year off Tackling Clutter
No doubt, you have seen the many advertisements for storage bins, planners, and all measure of things meant to start the new calendar year off "right." It's all about tackling clutter, making the most of the year, making resolutions, and setting goals in order to make 2025 the best year ever.
But how many of us have tried this year after year with lackluster results, not understanding what is keeping us stuck. We know we want to manifest something different, we know we need to get organized - after all the television tells us it's necessary. But do you really know the "why" of it?
This issue we are talking clutter. Maybe we talk about this more than you think is necessary. But it really is the deep down essence of Feng Shui. Everything is alive. And if everything is alive - then there is an energetic component of every single thing you own ~ either supporting or hindering your life. And that's why clutter is sooo important. There is more to Feng Shui than clutter. But it's an amazing place to start.
Let's dig in, the International Feng Shui Guild
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From the IFSG Feng Shui Glossary...
Clutter
The obstruction of life force, qi/chi, typically through the accumulation of too many items within a space (can be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual), thus creating a stagnation of the energy within that space.
See also Chi, Qi
So, what specifically is considered clutter? We like this simply description from Werner Brandmaier...
- Everything you don’t either LOVE OR NEED is officially clutter. I’m sure you have heard of the “love it or need it rule.” If it is not something that you need or love, you need to get rid of it. Examples of things you need would be; the last seven years of financial records for tax purposes, warranties, old kitchenware because you can’t yet afford a new set, etc. Things you love are those things that make you happy when you see them.
- A second category is all unorganized items: papers, books, cassettes and whatever makes a room or house appear untidy and chaotic has to be sorted out.
- Overloaded space. The particular size of a room only allows so many objects to be “filled in.” Sometimes even a tidy home can look overloaded, if the space is too small to hold all the antiques or the growing collection of memorabilia.
⭐ And now...what does clutter do to you?
- Clutter slows down the attention, the capability of focusing and of thinking clearly.
- The decrease of the Qi can hinder any business and some successful enterprises. Growing friction is experienced and therefore additional energy is required to manage the project.
- A difficult financial situation is often connected to insufficient Qi flow, as well.
- Too much clutter can make a person depressed and fatigued. This state is usually found in combination with the appearance of Geopathic grid lines. In this case an evaluation of the Geopathic stress of the house is recommended as the elimination of these draining forces are the basis for further improvement.
- Sometimes severe health issues can be connected with stagnating energies e.g. low blood pressure, digestive issues or a number of auto-immune challenges.
Werner Brandmaier, Institute of Feng Shui and Geopathology
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Top Clutter Tips from our Experts
Clutter seems to be on so many minds – how to approach it, how to tackle it, how to get started. It’s hard especially for those with busy lives, crowded households, and emotional stress or baggage. We have gathered top clutter tips from our members and you will be amazed at the variety, diversity, gifts, creativity, and depth these answers bring! We believe you will find at least one idea that will speak to you – probably more than one!
"Clutter clearing can be a treat. You may find new items that you forgot about and now get to disperse them to a new home or place of organization. Lovingly re-circling and re-cycling the energy of all!" ❤️
Read part one and part two...and pick a tip you can try in your own life today!
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How to Help Your Partner Let Go of their Clutter
by Karen Kingston, Clear Space Living
What can you do if the clutter in your home isn't yours but belongs to a partner who refuses to do anything about it? Learn more about education and leading by example in this piece by long-time clutter expert, Karen Kingston.
Read the full article...
📕 And be sure to check out Karen's latest book, Space Clearing Volumes 1 and 2, covering her more than 30 years of experience.
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Feng Shui Tip
DO THE FENG SHUI FLING. Once a month, get a large plastic bag, move quickly through your home, and fling 27 things into the bag—things you don’t need, don’t want, don’t know why you are keeping. Don’t think, don’t analyze, don’t hesitate…just fling. Then take the bag right out to your trashcan before you change your mind.
Carol Olmstead, Feng Shui for Real Life
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Boxes of Dreams
by Maria Best, Looking for Space
While serving our country, Carmin had been stationed in Japan. Her two children had been born there, and they were both fluent in Japanese. For years she had desired to learn the Japanese language. After being discharged, and a relocation or two later, while we were unraveling her carefully packed life, we came across five boxes of books.
“Those are my Japanese books.”
“Ok.”
“I want to learn Japanese.”
“That’s awesome.”
“I’ve been trying to get to it. I kept thinking I would, but I haven’t. Now they are all buried. It’s like this room is full of where all of my dreams went to die.”
Ouch.
We both stared at the stack of boxes. The boxes seemed to stare back.
I pondered what she had shared.
“So what I think I hear you saying is that your dreams are dead because these unpacked boxes are telling you that?”
“Pretty much.”
Hmmm….
🥰 Click here to read the rest of this transformational story and how embracing an ebb and flow can work for us in our lives as we let go of old dreams and allow ourselves to build new ones.
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As a professional non-profit organization, the International Feng Shui Guild mission is to
- Advance the practice, teaching and use of Feng Shui worldwide
- Promote and serve our membership with resources, networking opportunities, publications and a content-rich website
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