Clearing Clutter with Feng Shui
While I was helping one of my dear clients, she pulled out one of her favorite organizing books to show me. It was Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. I was first introduced to Feng Shui back in 1999 when I was studying Architecture at Drexel University in Philadelphia. That’s when my love of clutter clearing began! If you’re interested in learning more about Feng Shui, I highly recommend this reading this!
Here are a few highlights from the book:
1. When energy stagnates or becomes stuck, clutter forms. Notice where your clutter accumulates. Is it worn out clothes in your closet? Books that you’ll never read? Paperwork that needs to get filed? Clearing physical clutter is the first step of feng shui. Sometimes this stuck energy can be very heavy, but once lifted, the renewal of life force energy is unbeatable!
2. Clutter can have a serious impact on your health. It may make you feel tired, lazy, and may keep you in the past. It could cause congestion, depression, weight gain (or inability to lose weight), and can even cause mental confusion.
3. Why do people keep clutter? Identity, security, keeping things “just in case”, and people may even keep clutter based on their genetics. The book talks about how clutter can be a representation of the subconscious mind- especially the clutter we keep in our basements. Clutter in attics may restrict life’s possibilities.
4. Simply put, the premise of feng shui is to break the home up into 9 different zones:
Prosperity/ Wealth/Abundance
Fame/Reputation/Illumination
Relationships/Love/Marriage
Family/Elders/Community
Health/Unity/Well-being
Creativity/Offspring/Projects
Knowledge/Widsom/Self-Improvement
The Journey/Career/Life Path
Helpful Friends/Compassion/Travel
The theory is, clutter or incongruent symbology in these areas of the home may be reflected in areas of your life as well. In feng shui, the layout of where these zones are is called The Bagua. While figuring out exactly how this works for each individual and their home may require a feng shui specialist to determine, the illustrations in the book give a basic guide for how the layout works.
5. The book also talks about clearing clutter in your body and mind. The author recommends nutritional support, exercise, saunas, clothing fabrics and cleaning supplies to reduce clutter in our bodies. She also gives advice for clearing mental and emotional clutter- stop criticizing, gossiping, and provides support for how to move on from relationships. I absolutely love that she covers all these areas. This is the exact reason I became certified as a Health Coach! The clutter in our bodies, minds and environment is totally interrelated.
Who else has an interest in feng shui?? Please respond to this email and let me know what you love about it!
The photo on the right is just before my friend and I ran Seattle’s Rock and Roll Full Marathon on June 10th. We had a beautiful day, and had gorgeous views of the Space Needle, the water, the city and Mt. Rainier. The entertainment even included Seattle’s Taiko Drummers which reminded me of my favorite movie, Isle of Dogs. Big thanks to Jef Nelson of Shogun Fitness and Beth Cline for helping me plan my workouts and stay fueled and hydrated for race day! If you’re interested in stepping up your fitness game, I’d be happy to put you in touch with these fine trainers!
Want to take it a step farther? Sign up for my free 4 Day Color to Declutter Challenge.
Become part of a like-minded community by joining my Facebook Group, Declutter and Organize with Seattle Sparkle.
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