I am still not quite sure how this happened.  The replacement rug was the exact same size as the one that I previously had so it should have been a quick swap! 

It never ceases to amaze me how the uncomplicated act of introducing one new item into a space can lead to a change in furniture placement, different lighting, rearranged artwork, and a huge cleaning binge.  A total shift in energy positively affected me and my entire home. 

My first attempt at replacing the rug was unsuccessful. It was too thick and prevented my front door from fully opening.   It was returned immediately as I considered the feng shui implication that a door that does not open freely results in blocked energy or chi. 

The front entrance of your home is referred to as the mouth of chi.  It is very important that you allow vital energy to enter and nourish your home.  The deterrent of a ‘stuck’ door can metaphorically mean missed opportunities, stubbornness or inability to move forward in life.

In the spirit of clutter clearing, it is said that getting rid of things that are unwanted makes space for the new to come in and I must say that this was certainly the case for me. 

Rather than putting the old rug back, I donated it to the animal shelter with the expectation that a new one would arrive shortly.  Lo and behold, just a couple of days later I found the perfect, affordable rug in a beautiful earth tone color.

In feng shui it is important to balance the five elements:  wood, fire, earth, metal and water.  The element of summer is fire.  It occurred to me as I took in the renewed energy that I was most likely drawn to a grounding color since earth (yin) reduces fire (yang).  As we experience the heat generated from the dog days of summer, a little yin brings in the energy of coolness.

Take a moment to experience the current energy in your space.  Allow yourself to intuitively feel what needs to be moved or replaced.  It is not necessary to do major redecoration. 

Change cannot occur in a stagnate environment.  See how even the subtlest of changes will refresh you and bring a sense of balance to your environment and life.

I instantly felt very fortunate that it didn’t occur as a blowout during highway driving, and I was doubly reassured that the angels were indeed watching over me when the Roadside Assistance rep was aptly named Michael.

Even the response time seemed to hold some divine intervention. Help arrived within a mere 30 minutes of my call.

As I was waiting for assistance, I started to think about the applications of feng shui to my car. My conclusion? A flat meant there was some imbalance in my life. For me personally, the implications were likely too much work and not enough play!

Majority of people spend a great deal of time behind the wheel. Start to look at your vehicle with feng shui eyes and you will discover how it can mirror your life.

Brake problems could symbolize the need to slow down and relax. Overheating could indicate the need to deal with anger or cool down.

What is your vehicle telling you?  Is she cluttered or in need of TLC? If so, perhaps you are dealing with some mental confusion or need a bit of nurturing and down time. 

Caring for your vehicle is no less important than caring for your home. It is, after all, your personal space and can affect your sense of peace.

Remember to keep her clean and healthy, and don’t let clutter build up allowing negative chi to linger.

I am happy to report that my girl is all better. My mobility is no longer compromised and with a regained sense of balance, I can now move forward in life.

After this experience, I will certainly be looking for any feng shui clues that may be hiding out in my car.

A basic concept of feng shui is that everything is comprised of energy or chi.  We are constantly giving and receiving chi.  We’ve all heard the expression what goes around, comes around.  This can be applied to the exchange of chi.  What we put out, we get back.  

To really know somebody, take a peek at what things they have decided to live with. This exercise is much more revealing than words in a conversation! 

From a scientific point of view, all objects are made up of molecules and atoms.  These objects give off vibrations and are constantly in motion.  Subtle energy permeates everything in our lives, and has a profound effect on how we experience a place.

Feng Shui is about getting in touch with your surroundings.  It is about opening your eyes, really taking note of the things in your space, and then investigating how those things make you feel.

The items we live with are an expression of ourselves.  By taking inventory, you will be surprised to learn just how revealing your surroundings can be.  It is normal human behavior to stop seeing the obvious after having lived with it for periods of time, so imagine that you are a first time visitor to your home.  Put yourself in their shoes (or eyes) as you search for hidden messages and take the time to notice the furniture styles, colors, patterns, accessories and objects of art that make up the design of your home.   

We see and respond to shape, form and pathways.  Observe how freely you can move through a room, as well as how comfortable you feel when going from room to room.  Are there obstacles in your way such as overcrowded furniture that can impede the flow in the room?  Gentle movement of chi is the sign of a healthy space.  Blocked chi causes disharmony and imbalance. 

What we have in our homes can affect us in either a positive or negative way.  Having clutter equates to stuck or negative chi.  Then again, when you surround yourself with things that you love, positive energies flow and you will feel nourished. 

Overcrowding a space not only means having too much stuff, such as piles of paperwork, magazines, books or collectibles, but can also mean having too many patterns, which can be distracting and cause agitation.

Some other not so obvious things to look for that might be having a negative effect include:

Artwork that is gloomy or depicting threatening nature scenes, unhealthy plants, cracked or chipped items, leaky faucets, broken objects or cracked window panes. 

Investigate how the wall colors in your rooms make you feel.  Colors give off vibrations and everyone reacts differently to those vibrations.  Color brings out particular emotions that affect our moods and energy levels, and adding/modifying color is an easy way to change the energy of a space.

When scoping out your space, identify a goal you want to achieve and then figure out what in your environment is working for you or against you. 

For instance, suppose you are interested in finding a new partner.  Do you still have belongings from previous relationships? Is your bedroom so full of stuff that you do not have ‘space’ for another? Is there access to the bed from both sides? Are your closets so maxed out that you can barely fit another article of clothing? If so, you are not symbolically making room for someone new to come into your life and would benefit by clearing out an area in the closet or at least one dresser drawer.

Feng shui is about your relationship with energy.  View your home thru feng shui eyes and become more aware of your surroundings.  Creating a personal space of your choosing supports you physically, emotionally and spiritually, and will help you to achieve personal goals.

Feng shui teaches us that to make changes in our lives, we can start by making changes in our environments.  Feng shui is about tuning into our personal spaces and taking inventory of what works and what doesn’t – both literally and figuratively. 

Clutter clearing is a branch of feng shui that helps us to sort our lives and restore balance.  As we clear out old energies, we bring in the new.

We learn from scientific studies that all things are comprised of energy.  Addressing our clutter and removing any unused, broken or unwanted objects helps us to release lower energies from our surroundings.  As a result, we can then experience a renewal of positive life force energy and make way for new things to come in.

Clutter in one’s space not only leads to stress and potential health issues, but it also results in demotivation and lethargy.  The stale energy that clutter breeds prevents us from being able to move forward in life, thus making it harder to make necessary changes and accomplish our goals.

We can set the stage for change simply by adding or removing something in our personal environments.  Decluttering and eliminating things that are not important frees up energy, space and time for the things that do matter.

The process of decluttering, however, can be quite overwhelming.  To mitigate procrastination, start with a small area – such as one drawer or closet shelf.  Because we spend 1/3 of our lives in the bedroom, I would suggest that you focus on this room first.

If you need an extra bit of discipline, set a timer to help manage your time.  Set aside 10-15 minutes a day and make the commitment to sort through the items one at a time.  During the process ask yourself why you are keeping it, and then make quick decisions on what should be kept, trashed, recycled or donated.  Things that make you feel good and contribute to the quality of your life belong on the stay list; all else can go.  A good motto to keep in mind:  if you don’t use it – lose it!

Once you get on the clutter ride you will be amazed at the amount of energy you gain and just how contagious it becomes.  The momentum will grow and your 15 minutes will easily turn into 30 minutes.  Before you know it, an hour will have gone by and you will feel a noticeable energetic shift and uplifting, as positive energy flows in your surroundings.

Decluttering brings in clarity and focus, and helps you take control of your life.  By paying attention to what is going out, you will naturally become more aware of what is coming back in.  The personal decisions you make as you manage your clutter will allow you to create an environment of your own choosing.  You will feel nurtured as you surround yourself with things that you love.

It’s time to release that stuck energy and get out of your rut.  Start the New Year by letting go of the past and making space in your life for new possibilities!

Mother Nature is a wise teacher.  She is flexible and loving, and through her actions shows us the beauty of going with the flow of  life.

Outwardly, it may appear that there is reckless abandon, but an order of universal intelligence lies at her core.  The basis of feng shui is to harmonize with nature by reverently and respectfully tapping into that universal intelligence.

Merging taoism, astronomy, alchemy, astrology and shamanism, feng shui is the system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of nature.  It is about the flow of energy (chi) and how it affects the human energy field.

The literal translation of feng shui is wind and water.  In order for all living things to survive, air (wind) and water are crucial.  Envision the movement of chi like wind and water over your landscape and how the blending of these qualities correlates to the rhythms of nature.  With every changing season, new energy is brought in.

Metal:  The Element of Autumn

In feng shui, the world is defined by the following five elements:  wood, fire, earth, metal and water.  Each element has its own characteristics and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape.

Metal is the element that is associated with autumn.  During this time, cooler weather comes in and vegetation starts to wane and withdraw in preparation for winter.  Concurrently, humans do the same thing as we modify our wardrobe, eat different foods, and get ourselves ready for shorter days and longer nights.

Coming away from the fire of summer, a very active (yang) time of year, we begin the transition into a more relaxed (yin) environment through the cyclical contraction of metal.

The direction associated with metal is west, where the sun sets and daylight ends.  It is a time of letting go.  Just as trees begin to shed their leaves, we can de-clutter and discard the things that no longer serve us. Clutter in the home equates to clutter in the mind, and having stagnant chi causes stagnation in our lives.  Associated with order and clarity, now is the time to pay attention to detail and really take inventory of our lives to see what areas need change.

Metal is represented by anything shiny or metallic and is expressed through the colors of white, gray or silver.  Round in shape, metal energetically symbolizes completion or endings as things come full circle.

Along with spring, autumn represents a significant cycle change in nature.  It is a time to release any unwanted items, behaviors or thoughts, allowing us to concentrate, get creative and achieve new goals.

Trust and follow the rhythms of nature.  Drawing on metal energy, tune into feng shui’s elemental cycle and use this period of transition to get focused and clear out any clutter from your mind and life. 

Learn to simply.  Letting go of the old only opens the space for the new.

To prepare for the big day, I started doing inventory in the usual clutter hangouts, the attic, garage and shed.  I then found my way into more personalized clutter spaces such as the closets, bedroom dressers and nightstands.

During the clearing process, I went thru items such as old paint, tools, toiletries, CDs, linens, magazines, books, jewelry, and the insidious holiday decorations.  There was no stopping me. 

I came home from work one night and before I was consciously aware of it, I was tackling the kitchen.  My cleansing ran the gamut, from the obvious junk drawer to the fertile breeding ground of tupperware.  Even canned goods were victims of my maniacal purge.

It was astounding to me how much stuff there was to offload.  The more I released, the more I released!  I sold things, put free stuff on the curb, and made donations to local charities, the food bank, and an animal shelter.

Family and friends are still wondering where all this stuff came from.  You see, I am an extremely neat and orderly Virgo, yet there is the notion of organized clutter to consider.

Science teaches us that everything is comprised of energy.  A goal of feng shui is to get in touch with our environments and create a path of least resistance for the positive flow of chi or energy. 

Clutter is stuck energy.  From a feng shui perspective, anything in your home that is neglected, unwanted or unused pulls your energy down with it, even if it is in labeled bins or neatly packaged with a pretty bow.  Stale and stagnant energy causes humans to feel lethargic, tired or depressed.  

As the energy in your home gets too congested, so does your body.  When the amount of stuff is not proportionate to the amount of space, a home can start to feel like it cannot breathe.  Subsequently, your own breathing may become tighter.

On the flip side, things that you love and use bring in strong and joyous energies that allow for a harmonious flow of chi.  Free-flowing energy in your home equates to support and nourishment in the body.

We function more effectively in life when we know where things are.  Rather than wasting time searching for car keys or misplaced paperwork, resulting in stress and confusion, isn’t it more appealing and healthier to have peace and clarity as a result of knowing exactly where to find things?

Clutter can also cause procrastination.  Don’t let it put your life on hold. Blocked energy makes it difficult to get yourself to do anything.  After clearing your space, you will have more energy to accomplish some of those things that have been pending in your subconscious mind. Motivation kicks in and the result is uplifting and quite rewarding.

Clutter clearing is a very powerful aspect of feng shui.  You can improve and renew the energy flow of your life.  Look at everything in your home and ask yourself these two questions.  What does this symbolize to me?  How does this make me feel?  Lighten up on the clutter and your body, mind and spirit will also lighten up.

I just returned from a visit to Southern California, which is truly one of my favorite places.  The visit was magical and nourishing and taught me a lot about myself – including the fact that I have no idea how to pack a suitcase.  This knowledge, of course, would ultimately lend itself to a more interesting realization.

While living overseas many years ago, I had the luxury of routinely traveling to many different countries.  I am not really a novice traveler, but for the life of me I couldn’t narrow down what to bring on this particular trip.  Will I be warm or cold?  There was stuff for yoga, stuff for hiking,  sunning, lounging, eating, thinking – you name it.

By the time I was done packing and repacking, my travel bag was comparable to a chosen victim of the show What Not To Wear.  I guess I should have known I was in trouble when the limo driver called my bag the beast from the east. 

I somehow managed to get the beast on the airport scale only to be told that six extra pounds of luggage fat would cost me $50.  Thinking on my feet, I coyly asked the rep if I could please remove some shoes.   My inane request was declined and I was stuck with the fee.

On the plane I pondered and plotted ways to avoid getting charged when I returned.  It was on the very next morning as I was walking to my first yoga class when I found my answer.  Directly across the street was a UPS store.  The powers were with me.

The proprietor politely nodded and smiled as I explained my dilemma.  He then proceeded to explain how I could ship my stuff back for half the cost.  In fact, he was even cheaper than the Post Office!  Such a deal.  As I was leaving he teasingly told me that I could now shop for even more stuff.

Shortly thereafter, I was loving life and taking an invigorating beach walk when the sheer ridiculousness of the situation hit me.  Just how attached am I to articles of clothing, shoes and more shoes that I would pay (twice, no less) to have them carted back and forth across country?  Have I gone mad?

Talk about excess baggage!  That light bulb moment clearly taught me metaphorically that I seriously needed to lighten my load.  Instinctively, I knew that I would soon be donating items to the hotel housekeeping staff.   The interesting thing is that I wasn’t doing it to avoid paying extra, but rather as an expression of behavior modification while merely letting go.  It was such a small, yet liberating action.  Some people leave their hearts in San Francisco, but I left my travel clutter in San Diego.

Feng shui teaches us that everything is comprised of energy.   By tuning into our environments we can create harmonious spaces where positive energy flows to support our lifestyles.  In direct opposition, clutter causes a stagnation of energy.  It drags us down and makes us sluggish and demotivated.

I classify my overpacked suitcase as clutter because it really was an example of cramming too much stuff in a space.  Not only did it slow me down literally and figuratively, it kept me in a state of  lack.  What if I needed that jacket or those extra pair of shoes? 

There are several pitfalls of clutter.   For one thing, it keeps you in the past.  When your space is filled with too much stuff, there isn’t room for anything new to come to you.  Releasing the past creates a better future.  Also, clutter causes disorganization.  Folks spend a great deal of time searching for things (as I did right within my jammed suitcase), which undoubtedly causes undue stress.

Coming from a person who practices feng shui, this clutter-filled experience is a slightly embarrassing confession.  I can’t help but think of the old saying:  the shoemaker’s kids have no shoes (although, now I can at least say that I have a few less pairs of them) but it actually was a beneficial eye-opening reminder worth every penny of that $50.

So my advice to you is to not get caught/stuck in the clutter trap.  Ask yourself:  do I really need this; do I really love it?  If the answer is a firm yes to either or both, enjoy.  If the answer is no, then it is time to part ways. 

Since I returned I continue to find areas where I can de-clutter.  In fact, I just mailed in my application to participate in my town’s annual garage sale.  I’m thinking an over-sized suitcase just might bring in some decent money.

Life wakes up from the deep sleep of winter and everything comes alive.  People just can’t wait to shed layers of clothing and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin.  Nature responds the same way. The crocus and daffodil plants push their way thru the earth as they sprout new stalks and reach for the sun.  Shrubs and trees start to form buds and are turning green.

The Chinese system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui.  This ancient philosophy demonstrates that the world is defined by the following five elements of nature:  wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Each element has its own specific characteristics, and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape.  As a feng shui practitioner, it comes as no surprise to me that wood is the element of Spring, and that the direction associated with wood is east, where the sun rises and the day begins.

Wood promotes change.  It represents flexibility, growth and new beginnings. Wood is represented thru the color green, which is also the color of photosynthesis.  The shape for wood is tall, rectangular or treelike – all traits that are perfectly revealed during the Spring season.

Cyclically, Spring it is a natural time for us to focus on removing physical, mental and emotional clutter from our lives.  Anything that is neglected, forgotten, unwanted, or unused will cause the energy in your home to slow and stagnate.  Subsequently, you will feel clogged and stuck in the past – as if your life is not moving forward.

Disorder, confusion, chaos and blockage are not signs of a healthy space.  When the energy in your home gets congested, so does your body.  The stagnant energy of clutter pulls your energy down with it, which can lead to fatigue or depression and even illness.

Everything in your environment mirrors your inner self.  A cluttered space actually reveals secrets about you. For instance, a garage that is in disarray from useless items and trash could indicate procrastination, while a basement packed with stale junk may signify living in the past or fear of an unknown future.  Folks with attic clutter may tend to worry more about the future than others, which is a direct result of having all that stuff constantly “hanging over their heads.”

Having obstructions at the main entrance of your home can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you.  When furniture or other miscellaneous items, such as coat racks or hooks, prevent doors from fully opening, the energy is not allowed to flow freely in your space.  As a result, everything you do takes more effort.  Objects hanging from doorknobs are another form of thwarted energy.  All of these obstructions may seem slight, but through the eyes of feng shui they symbolize stumbling blocks that can hinder us from feeling comfortable and balanced in our environment.

Clutter can be described as a confused multitude of things, but it can also be defined as follows:

• Anything that is not being used
• Things that are disorganized or disorderly
• Having too much stuff in a small space
• Anything that is unfinished

Inherited belongings that you don’t particularly like and unwanted gifts also fall into this category.  Even unwelcomed and non-relaxing sounds can be counted as clutter!

Physical clutter in your home equates to clutter in your mind.  Piles of paperwork, books, magazines, memorabilia, unused toiletries, etc., all have an insidious way of multiplying and haunting you in the process. Having a disorderly space creates mental clutter in the form of stress, frustration or depression. Other examples of mental clutter include worrying about finances or concerning yourself with goals that were never achieved.

From an emotional standpoint, there is a parallel line when dealing with clutter and dealing with difficult emotions.  When we get rid of clothes that no longer fit or will likely never fit again, it reminds us that our aging bodies have changed. Removing possessions that belonged to a previous partner or someone who has passed on requires us to come to terms with our loss and feel grief, or to let go without feeling like we are betraying our love.

Getting our physical space in order allows us to regain a sense of clarity and order in our thoughts.  To live without clutter is to trust and have faith in the choices we make. By becoming more conscious of what you allow and keep in your home, you will develop an ability to trust the decisions you make in life.  The more you trust yourself, the more fulfilling your life will become.

Take the time to inventory your home (or office).  De-clutter by asking yourself the following two questions: “Do I really need this?”  “Is it something I really love?” The answer should be yes to at least one, but preferably to both of these questions.

A simple method to help you along is to get some boxes or garbage bags and label them:

• Trash – remembering to recycle.
• Give Away – which is really another form of recycling.
• Put Away – for the things that have made the cut and will find their way to another place in your home.

You may also need a separate bag for repairs, but you must commit yourself to taking the time to get them repaired.  There will be things that you just cannot part with at this point in time.  Put them aside and give yourself a reminder to revisit them at a later date.  Once you start the clearing process, however, you will feel so empowered that you will be surprised how easy it will become to release things!

Remember to get the belongings out of your space entirely.  Putting them in nicely labeled boxes or bags and placing them in a garage or storeroom defeats the purpose as it keeps you psychically linked to them.  Take that extra step to fully remove them from your property

Remind yourself that it is safe to let go.  Difficult feelings will likely come up as you work through this process.  Acknowledge them and be gentle with yourself by taking baby steps and working at your own pace.   Make a list and set realistic goals.  Try one closet, one drawer or one shelf at a time and then give yourself the satisfaction of crossing if off your list.  Each small area you clear releases energy and offers inspiration to continue.

Rather than look at the removal practice as a chore, consider it a way of honoring yourself and taking back control of your life.  Remember, you are free to create a personal living space of your own choosing.

Let a little Spring cleaning and clutter clearing lighten your load physically, mentally and emotionally.  You will see procrastination dissolving and find yourself motivated for a lifestyle change.  Follow nature’s lead – now is the time to be like wood.  Welcome change and try new things; take a few risks and be flexible in your thoughts and actions.