Feng Shui is all about creating a balanced environment where the energy can flow freely. Clutter blocks the flow of energy in our space, affects our health, and has a negative impact on our ability to focus and process information. It also inhibits us from growing professionally, creatively and even romantically. Proper organization and de-cluttering invites new, powerful energy into our home and business which will enhance almost every aspect of our lives.
Think about how much time we are wasting searching for missing objects and cleaning around the cluttered areas of our space! It is essential to remove the clutter that congests our home or business to create a good Feng Shui environment. The benefits will be felt immediately as this previously wasted time could be spent on fun hobbies, spending time with our friends and family, or simply nourishing ourselves!
Advantages of being clutter free and organized
• Enhances supportive emotions and behaviors
• Improves relationships and health
• Increases performance and productivity
• Creates more space, time and possibilities
• Decreases stress
• Gives clarity
• Boosts energy level
• Helps focus
Why do we hold on to things?
• We feel we have to keep things because often times things were inherited, given to us as a gift, or were expensive.
• We think we might need the item later.
• We believe we will sell it one day and make some money.
• We want to keep extras in case we lose one or it breaks.
The importance of each room in Feng Shui
To create a harmonious Feng Shui environment, we want to make sure there is a good energy flow in every room.
• Entrance
The entrance, or “Mouth of Chi”, is very important in Feng Shui as this is the area of the home or business where the energy enters. Having clutter in this area blocks the positive energy from entering. Creating an inviting entrance supports the flow of the energy further into your space. Many people feel a sense of heaviness each time they enter or leave their home if the “Mouth of Chi” is blocked.
• Hallway
The hallway is associated with our life journey and a cluttered hallway (or cluttered hallway closet) can lead to blockages and stagnation in all areas of our lives. Since the hallway connects the different rooms of a home it is important that the energy can flow freely into each room. We also spend a lot of time walking through the hallway so it is important to have this walkway free of clutter.
• Kitchen
We all know that the kitchen is the heart of the home. In Feng Shui, the kitchen is directly related to our health and prosperity. A clean and clutter-free kitchen helps good energy circulate freely and supports our general well-being. It is important to only keep the items on the kitchen counter that you use regularly as a cluttered kitchen will prevent us from eating healthy and taking care of our bodies.
• Living room
The living room is the common area where we relax and enjoy time with our family and friends. Having too much clutter in this area can have a negative effect on relationships with those we love and communicate with.
• Master Bedroom
The bedroom is where we rest and recharge and therefore it is very important in Feng Shui to have it clear of clutter. For example, nothing should be stored under the bed or shoved in night stands next to your bed. Having too much clutter in this room can cause sleep problems and can also have a negative impact on our romantic life.
• Children’s Bedroom
Just like the master bedroom, the children’s bedroom needs to be clutter free. If you keep toys in the children’s bedroom, make sure they are well stored away at night so they can’t see them. This will promote better sleep and a more relaxing morning awaking. Also, to keep the room clutter free, keep only the toys the children are still playing with and get rid of ones that they have outgrown.
• Office
The office is a place where work needs to get done. A supportive work environment needs to be clutter-free and organized so that we are not distracted. Without distractions we are able to stay focused, productive, and efficient to the task at hand.
• Bathroom
The bathroom is the place where we care for ourselves. You want a bathroom that you feel relaxed spending time in so it is important to keep the bathroom clean and clutter free. Clutter in the bathroom can have a negative effect on how we care for our bodies and our selves.
• Closet
Keep your closet organized and only keep clothes that you wear often. Clutter in our closets can promote weight gain.
• Garage
The garage is usually the first thing you see when you come home and it feels good to come home to a clean and organized place. If there is too much clutter in the garage it can stop us from going places.
Whether it is our kitchen, bedroom or corporate conference room; too much clutter in our surroundings stops the good energy from flowing into our space and into our life.
In my next blog I will talk about ways to eliminate clutter.