Once you have learned how to de-clutter your space with feng shui principles you will never be able to look at clutter the same way.  Take stock of how the clutter makes you feel when you see piles of paper, disorganized shelves and you are not be able to find anything when you need it.  Take 5 minutes and just sit in the room you would consider needs the most attention.  The first time I did this I was so uncomfortable just looking at the piles and lack of being able to see anything clearly, that I started the minute I finished the exercise.  It took me several days over the course of about a month (too overwhelming to do it all at once) to get things thinned out and put away in an organized way.

Feng Shui principles say that your energy or “Chi” gets caught up in clutter and chaos and doesn’t know where to flow, so it gets caught and stagnates.   You may think if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist…but my friend you would be wrong.  The back of the closet, all the drawers and cupboards in your home house some of your Chi.  If you don’t have it put away in an organized fashion your Chi is pooling where it landed and is not benefitting you in any way.  It most likely is dragging you down without you realizing why it is you feel out of sorts, unable to concentrate or overwhelmed.

Let’s get started on this feng shui de-cluttering project.  Pull everything out of the area you are about to go through, and do this one area at a time so you are not inclined to give up.  Get a few boxes and mark them…long term storage, sell/give away and undecided.  Also, have a trash bag or two handy.  Then begin asking yourself the following questions as you go through your stuff:

• Do I love it? You should always surround yourself with things you love.  If you don’t love it why do you want it around?

• Do I need it?  We all need things to get us through our lives, so if it’s needed it serves a purpose and it worth keeping.

• Does it evoke positive or negative feelings?  Sometimes sentimentality can get in our way here, so be careful when you are answering this question.  You may be surprised by some of these feelings.  Go ahead and feel it and use this as a way to cleanse your soul as well as your Chi.

• Does it need to be repaired and can it be done now?  If it is broken, then the area of your home where it is placed can be broken as well.  Broken relationships, etc…

• Is it time to sell it, give it away, trash it or store it?  Try to be really honest with yourself as you are sorting through and deciding the answers.

These key questions will help you navigate your mine field of clutter and help you decide what is important and what you can live without.  As you contemplate your answers and put things in the appropriate places, you will most likely begin to feel un-encumbered, lighter and happier.

It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to dealing with your things.  However, it is important that you are happy with your decisions and they are right for you.  This is your space and no one else’s.  Unless you share your space with someone, in that case you may want their opinions too.  You are now actively inviting new opportunities and transformation into your life.  Intention is a great Chi enhancer.