No Feng Shui discussion of creating beautiful, harmonious and healthy environments is complete without a discussion about simplifying, otherwise known as “decluttering”.

Feng Shui takes the issue of clutter very seriously. Clutter can have damaging health consequences, as it tends to create stress, anxiety, and depression. Based on the Feng Shui principle that everything is energy, clutter has its own energy and comes in many forms, including disorganization, unfinished projects, items no longer used, or items saved for those “just in case” moments. There is computer clutter, car clutter, purse clutter and even “limiting thoughts” clutter. This type of mind clutter (“I’m not worthy”, “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t deserve”) keeps us from new possibilities and restricts our intuition and creativity.

Assess your home for clutter zones. Are boots, coats, newspapers and piles of mail cluttering your main entrance? From a Feng Shui perspective, clutter in your main entrance creates unnecessary struggle in your life! Is your bedroom “quiet” or “noisy”? Feng Shui considers your bedroom the prime environment for rest, rejuvenation and intimacy. Has it become a dumping ground for under the bed storage, a computer, exercise equipment, laundry, or a television? How many pieces of unworn or outdated (or outgrown) clothing are choking out the energy in your closet? Look at your calendar. Is there any breathing space for you?

When your home is filled with things you love and/or use well, it becomes a source of support and nourishment. Clutter, on the other hand, drags your energy down and the longer you keep it the greater its effect.

If you feel constantly bogged down in the details of day-to-day maintenance or in the draining energy of avoidance, there is no stronger Feng Shui adjustment for overall well being than clearing away unwanted or unused items.

D= Definition of clutter: “A crowded, untidy collection of things”. It also includes things you no longer “use” or “see”.
E= Effects on your energy: Because clutter creates intense vibrational noise, it depletes your energy and creates stress and confusion.
C= Clutter zones: Identify them. Designate one area of your home a “clutter free zone”.
L= Let go of items that no longer represent who you are, or who you want to be. It is important to free up space to make way for a fresh new direction in your home and in your life.
U= Understand the attachments: is the “stuff” representing a void you are trying to fill, ignored issues or a life out of balance?
T= Take the first Step: clean out your purse, a kitchen drawer or remove all the items taped or magnet held to the refrigerator door.
T= Take your Time. Remember, you are shifting energy.
E= Enjoy the process
R=Reclaim your space

Feng Shui serves as a powerful metaphor to remind you to pay attention to what is going on around you in order to pay attention to what is going on in your life.

“When we hold on to what is no longer right for us, we are unconsciously saying that we believe our past is more important than our future.” Robin Lennon, interior designer

Have you noticed your breath lately? Do you even remember to breathe at times? Breath is life and life for most humans is stressful. One very simple tool for stress management that is available to us at all times is our breath. Unfortunately, many of us are to busy to pay attention to our breath and have created patterns in how we breathe that cause more stress and physical discomfort. Research is discovering the power of breath as the key to lowering stress and providing relaxation. There are several breath techniques that allow us to reclaim healthy breathing patterns and release the old baggage that remains stuck in our bodies. To learn more about breath work as a healing technique

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