Simple Ways to Space Clear Your Home for the New Year!
January 28th, 2008 Categories: Home Improvement
One thing I believe many of us do intuitively, or instinctively, is to clean up our environments (why wait until Spring?) at the new year- our closets, office, car and especially our HOME - so we can start off the new year with a sparkling clean slate, ready to embrace our ambitious resolutions, projects and tie up those loose ends from last year.
In other words, we Space Clear.
There are many sites and books written in serious Feng-shui language about the importance and specifics of Space Clearing. Is it simply “de-cluttering” the house and dusting off that top shelf? That’s at least a start. Since your home is a representation in a larger physical space of you and your life - wouldn’t it make sense then to keep the positive, auspicious, abundant, and by any definition, all the beneficial energies flooowing and not risk stagnation, or worse-negative flow.
Here are a few simple but key ways to make sure your home is a nutritious environment for growth in the direction of Health, Happiness and Prosperity !!
I. Want not, Keep Not
They say…”you are what you EAT”, and “you are what you THINK”. Well, per professional feng-shui experts, “you are what you KEEP”, in your house that is.
- Relationships-Important for most people in personal and business life. Look around and be honest. Do you keep boxes of “ex” memorabilia around, or even on display, slightly but not really hidden? Wonder why you can’t get rid of the old (relationships) and move on with desirable new ones? Or artwork that represents, oh…something that doesn’t quite represent your current state of mind or heart? Replace with items or pictures of what you DO want going forward, such as “pairs” of things instead “singles”, colorful instead of dark, large versus small, live plants not dead…or vice versa if that is your wish.
- Other Baggage-The GARAGE is NOT a TRASH CAN. This goes for the storage unit you pay for monthly but visit maybe, annually. Folks, do you absolutely need the second set of tools Uncle John gave you or Jr.’s plastic tricycle that even his little brother is too big for? Likewise for your CLOSET - haven’t worn it for 2 years? Toss it, mourn it, and replace it with something fabulous you can wear NOW.
- Finances and Business-Is your OFFICE space conducive to conducting profitable business ventures or do you have growing piles of “maybe you’ll get to it one day” and “maybe you’re just afraid of getting to it” stuff hanging around? If an important client were to drop by to say hello, would you be ”presentable” as the whole package you are?
SOLUTION: Grab a large black trash bag and just do it. Pick it up and ask yourself: Do I LOVE IT, NEED IT, USE IT? If the answer is not YES YES YES, then throw it away, gift it, donate it, e-Bay it, file it, or call the city for bulky item pick up. IMMEDIATELY. With the money you might save, earn or even find, go out and buy what you really love and can use more efficiently.
II. White Gloves Works Wonders
Really simple step here. Ask any vacuum sales person and they’ll all tell you that dust is something like 80-90% dead human skin cells. Um, GROSS.
If you don’t have the time, the wife, the husband, the teenager down the street to do it for you, call Molly Maid or your neighbor’s housekeeper. We’re talking under and over, behind furniture and shelves, and yes, especially the very-hard-to-reach corners, not just the pretty counter tops.
III. Re-Arrange the Flow of Furniture
If you’re not naturally gifted with the “eye”, recruit a friend who is, or call for professional help. There are some basic principals for good “feng-shui” flow in the home.
- Entry - Keep it lit, accessible, clean, in working order, and welcoming.
- Living room - Is the artwork representative of you, going forward, or is it the yester-you? Does sitting in your favorite seat put your back to the entry way(vulnerable) or facing in the direction of it (power position)? Keep all lights working at all times.
- Kitchen - The warmth, heart & soul, the “belly” of the home. Keep it clean, and show some abundance here - a basket of fresh (gosh, keep it fresh!) fruit, well stocked fridge, etc. Unless you’re a chef and need your tools within easy reach, not a big fan of knives plastered on the walls.
- Bedroom - The principal of keeping an easy watch of the entry way applies here where you rest. Can you see it in front of you or is it behind you? The preferred headboard position is against a solid wall, as opposed to under or between windows. Do you have a pleasant relationship with everything in your bedroom? Scrutinize everything.
- Baths - It’s MOST important to keep the PLUMBING in good working order. The water which circulates through the home represents the resources, ie money & energy, of the owner/occupant. Are any parts leaking or clogged, or not working? FIX IT IMMEDIATELY!
IV. Ceremonialize or Professionalize
It is important to complete a task such as Space Clearing with a ceremony of your choosing. It’s like the period at the end of a sentence. Creates a notice of completion in preparation for what’s to come. Simple ceremonies usually include the use of candles, salt, water, scents, bells or chimes, but as simple things go, it can be difficult to do properly.
There are many wonderful professionals in town to service your needs. Give a call for a referral or let us know you are one of them. We are happy to make the connection!
Wishing you a Successful and Happy 2008!
“Do I LOVE IT, NEED IT, USE IT?” should be my mantra every time I attempt to clean. Very insightful! I’m ready to sweep up old stuff to make room for new stuff. Great advice to start off the year.