Clutter & Feng Shui
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of enhancing your environment to create balance and harmony in your life.
Since the goal of Feng Shui is to create living and work environments that are comfortable, orderly, supportive and nourishing, it isn't surprising to learn that clearing clutter is an intrinsic part of the practice of Feng Shui. In fact, until this has been done, Feng Shui enhancements and cures are only minimally effective, at best.
In order to understand the relationship between clutter and Feng Shui, you first need to understand about Chi. Chi is the invisible electromagnetic energy that is present in and links together all living beings and non-living objects in the universe. In other words, you and your environment are deeply interconnected
and have a profound effect on each other.
In Feng Shui, the placement of objects either impedes or promotes the flow of this energy. For Chi to be beneficial, it needs to be able to flow smoothly and easily everywhere you live and work. That means having clear, unobstructed pathways through your space.
When your space is cluttered, instead of flowing smoothly and easily, Chi is obstructed and becomes stagnant. This stagnant, unhealthy energy, in turn, causes you to stagnate. It's a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle that creates chaos and an inability to move forward in both the inner and outer lives of those occupying the space.
Most people do not fully understand the extent to which their clutter affects them, that clutter can deplete them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It's only when they start clearing out their clutter that they realize the effect it has had on them and how much better they feel once it's gone. When the clutter is gone and Chi flows freely, you feel less anxious and stressed, more balanced and more productive and are able to relate comfortably to your space, all of which help you to generate positive outcomes and changes in your life.
Since clutter can prevent people from living their best life, why don’t they clear away their clutter? The reason most people avoid clearing away their clutter is NOT because it takes effort and can be time consuming. The real reason is that clutter clearing is a very emotional process and takes a lot of emotional stamina, especially when one’s identity, security or self-worth are dependent on or derived from their possessions.
If you have any doubts about whether or not Feng Shui actually works, you can easily prove it to yourself by clearing just a small area of clutter. Before you start, note how you feel when the area is full of clutter and the Chi is stuck. Then note how you feel after you have cleared it and the Chi is released and begins to flow naturally. If you're like most people, you'll feel the peace and contentment that a clutter-free space radiates.
Love it or lose it.
Only live with what you love. You can achieve this by being thoughtful, creative, intentional and particular about the choices you make when designing, furnishing and arranging your home and workspace. Choose what YOU love. Don't be swayed by what design magazines recommend. If you have to settle for or live with something you don't love, offset it by placing something nearby that makes your heart happy.
Safety and comfort come first.
When designing, furnishing and arranging your home and workspace, think about safety and comfort first, beauty last. Beauty does count, but NOT if it comes at the expense of safety, comfort and practicality.
Simplify and organize.
There are two types of chaos in our environments, active and passive.
Active chaos is creativity at work. It's the natural and necessary spilling out
of the tools and materials that are needed for the creative process to occur. It's the reference materials spread around a writer, the brushes and paints strewn around the painter and the pots and pans surrounding a cook. Active chaos' vitality and energy are attractive, uplifting and inspirational.
Passive chaos is creativity that is thwarted by clutter and disorganization. The longer the clutter lasts, the more the Chi energy deteriorates and creativity eventually ceases. And - because even hidden clutter and chaos drain creativity and vitality - it's not enough to free rooms of their visible clutter only. Storage areas hidden away behind the closed doors of closets, attics, garages and basements must also be cleared of unloved and unnecessary items.
To help you make decisions and clear away passive chaos while sorting through your possessions, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I love it?
- Do I need it?
- Do I want to share my space with it?
- Do I believe it to be beautiful or treasure it for reasons of my own?
- Does it reflect and support who I am at this moment in my life?
- Am I willing to respect and honor it by storing it neatly where I can
locate it when I need it? - What positive and/or negative thoughts, memories or emotions do I associate with it?
- Does it need to be fixed or repaired and am I willing to do so now?
- If I moved tomorrow, would I choose to take it with me?
- If it's time to let it go, am I going to sell it or give it away and when?
Whether you choose to practice Feng Shui in depth or simply take advantage of the basics to clear out clutter, it can be an effective way to get organized.
If you're committed to making positive changes in your life, help (including a free consultation) is just a phone call - (212) 228-8375 - or an email away.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A MORE ORGANIZED TOMORROW.
Professional Organizer New York City (NYC)
MILLER ORGANIZING has helped hundreds of NYC residents clear out clutter and get their closets, homes, offices and lives organized.
Contact us if you need a Professional Organizer in New York City.
MILLER ORGANIZING
14 Stuyvesant Oval, New York, NY 10009
(212) 228-8375
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14 Stuyvesant Oval, New York, NY 10009
(212) 228-8375