Declutter

Since I started working in architecture, 19 years ago, and visiting many houses, I feel that more and more people accumulate many things in their homes and do not follow this principle (which I recommend to my clients) "if a new item comes in, an item comes out. "

After presenting two workshops on "declutter" and being a Feng Shui consultant for 5 years, today I'm writing about Declutter.

Below I present the different questions that arose during my workshops:

1. What is "declutter"?

“Declutter” is different from organizing and tidying. “Declutter” has more to do with "purge" spaces from what is not necessary, discard what is no longer useful.

But what constitutes clutter?

• Things we no longer use and that we do not like;
• Messy and disorganized things;
• Too many things in too little space;
• Everything that is unfinished, at a physical level, but also mental, emotional and spiritual.

Image via minimalismissimple

2. Why do we tend to accumulate items in our homes?

Today in our consumerist society, there is a strong tendency in buying unnecessary things. Marketing is very strong and people are consuming more and more accumulating items at home without removing others which they no longer use (clothes, decorative items, electrical appliances). There is always the idea that "I might need it someday."

3. How can this negatively influence our emotions and state of mind?

It is common for people to feel tired, discouraged and depressed in cluttered and disorganized environments. Another possible effect of cluttering is that it can make one feel unorganized, unsuccessful or even to gain weight. It may cause disharmony, angers and arguments, both at home and at work, and also make one feel ashamed when receiving people at home.

4. What criteria should we consider when selecting what is important and what should be discarded?

Take a tour through the house and make a list of items that:

• Are damaged or in poor condition;
• Are never used;
• Are not yours (to return), for example, items from your ex;
• You have too many;
• Bring you unpleasant memories;
• Make you feel bad, for example, tight clothing;

Items that you do not like or that have been offered to you by someone you no longer empathize with.

5. Is spring a good time to tidy up and organize the house? Are there other occasions?

Spring and the turn of the year are the ideal times to "declutter", clean, organize and do an energy cleansing. But at any time you can start a decluttering process, when you feel that your home has plenty of accumulation or when you feel a blockage in your life.

6. What should we do in each room?

Walk through your home and make three piles: a pile to throw away, a pile for donation and a pile for yourself. Ask this question: "Do I use this often?"

• Yes - Store it.
• No, but it has sentimental value. - Store it in a box.
• No and it has no sentimental value. – Donate, sell or recycle it.

If an item is damaged and it cannot be repaired, it should go to the throw away pile.

7. How can Feng Shui be helpful?

Feng Shui is the ancient art of balancing and harmonizing the flow of natural energies around us, in order to create beneficial effects in our lives. These natural energy flows were already known in ancient times and this knowledge is applied both in the East and West. The existent energy from our homes is often a reflection of our lifestyle and state of mind - it is our "mirror".

8. And what are the key benefits of Feng Shui?

For all the less pleasant situations, Feng Shui offers solutions that pass through the search for balance between yin and yang, the harmony between the five elements and the various sectors of the house.

Feng Shui literally translated means "wind and water". Feng Shui can contribute significantly to their health, happiness and personal prosperity, relationships, by optimizing the positive energy and harmony in your home or office.

9. What are the benefits of having an energetically clean space? Can you give concrete examples?

In my professional experience, (I do Feng Shui consultations for 5 years) it makes no sense applying a Feng Shui healing in a house full of junk. Energy cleansing of spaces, also known as Space Clearing, is applied for centuries by the Chinese, particularly at the turn of the year. If someone applies a healing in a house with junk and stagnant energy, you will not feel the benefits in your life.

There are many benefits:

• The act of "declutter" is the quickest way to transform life and it helps other eventual therapies (for instance: in case of depression or overweight):
• Health improves;
• Creativity grows;
• Relationships grow better;
• Motivation increases.

10. How can the energy of our homes be unblocked?

Any accumulated stuff creates an obstacle to the smooth flow of energy in space. Feng Shui teaches many ways to improve the flow of energy and Space Clearing is one of the most effective, because the results are really impressive. It is important to know how fundamental it is to declutter to Feng Shui practice.

To unblock your home energy, you can apply 3 steps:

1. Clean and declutter your house;
2. Make a Space Clearing;
3. Make a Feng Shui appointment and apply Feng Shui healings.

Advise that the 2nd and 3rd steps are made by professionals (consultants Feng Shui) credible, graduated and highly experienced.

Paula Margarido

Architect and Feng Shui consultant

www.alinktobalance.com