Feng Shui Directory

In applying the principles of Feng Shui it is important to understand a basic concept; Feng Shui for better living is about how we harness the Qi and how we make it work for us. Qi can affect our life in two ways; the external one that surrounds our living space or work building, and the internal one within our home or office.

To be harmonious and productive, the Qi has to be free flowing and not restricted so that it slows or becomes stagnant, yet, not too fast so that we can’t harness it and reap it benefits. There has to be a balance.

Without doubt we have the power to manage our closed environment to transform our lives. In Feng Shui the environment is the major subject of analysis. I believe clutter clearing is a way to transform that environment.

• What can happen to us and our lives when we start to (keep clutter and) hoard things?

Hoarding clutter in your environment creates stagnation. It creates excessive Yin energy which is an imbalance interfering with the natural process of the flow of the Qi. There are two types of clutter: the “inner-self” clutter and the environmental clutter. The invisible or “inner-self clutter” can affect your mental, physical or emotional state, making you feel lethargic, depressed, lacking motivation or ashamed. It is primarily caused by negative thoughts, emotions, unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise. Health care professionals often say that many physical illnesses are aggravated or caused by negative thoughts and emotions; medical science has proven how some body illnesses are associated with our mental and emotional state and the interconnection between the body, mind and life style choices.

The environmental or external clutter we generally deal with is the clutter that you create in your close or near space like your home or work office. On a larger scale, it can affect a whole community through things such as pollution or contamination. External clutter puts you out of balance with the environment avoiding receiving the natural Qi from the universe, hills and mountains, oceans and rivers that will benefit your well-being and wealth.

Some of the consequences of permanent clutter or hoarding habits are poor concentration, stress, resentfulness, and a lowered immune system. You can also lose precious time looking over and over again for the same things. Clutter keeps you in the past and especially with unsolved matters; it can push your family and friends away from you as you will be constantly afraid that someone sees your clutter. It affects your personal image and how others perceive you -as neglected, unworthy, disorganised or ignored. Clutter and junk can inhibit cleaning and foster bacteria; it also favors animal that are attracted to Yin energy or dark places (such cockroaches and snakes). Often people with clutter problems tend to be overweight.

Clutter may also cost you lots of money. How many times you bought unnecessary (and perhaps the same) have books, tools and hardware, frozen foods, CDs, make-up or download the same information because you can’t find it? Worst of all, clutter creates chaos, impedes new opportunities, occupies space and affects relationships in your life.

• What is chi and how does it work?

Chi, also called Qi in Japan, is the life force or electromagnetic energy present in all things in the universe. It is in a constant flow, even traveling through solid substances. The Chi of the human body, the Earth, the Sun, buildings, plants, water and animals are in constant interchange and the Chi merges. Although the individual Chi is unique they are connected; so you influence and are influenced by Chi. In that way humans are part of a subtle but infinite dynamic net of energy seen by some philosophers and Easter religions as the “Cosmic Dance”

• What are some of the reasons as to why we (create clutter) hoard things?

Some people keep items to evoke memories and connect them to their past. Some start collecting things or information taking pleasure from the present. “Savers” or dreamers accumulate things and information to prepare for the future. Others are simply influenced by their close role models or affected by overpowering grief or depression. Once an orderly process of collecting, or just keeping things, is out of control things become forgotten, and an air of neglect appears over that “stuff” transforming the “collection” into clutter and later on into just playing junk. You lose interest, but clutter or junk still is there and you enter a negative circle of fear; feeling guilty for the unfinished task and the fear of letting go, making excuses to others and procrastinating. Some of the common reasons are:

Fear of not having enough and keeping “just-in-case”; fear of losing the feelings from memories or persons connected to the object if it is not there; fear of losing control or security; fear of seeing your personal space through different eyes. Fear of “making waves” to others and expressing your-self.

Egotism - buying and accumulating material things in order to demonstrate power and overshadow others.

Rejection - being excluded by not being in fashion, failing to maintain status.

Self compensation - using retail therapy to cover unsolved emotional problems.

• What are some of the most common things people that people don’t really need or like, but tend to hoard anyway?

Individual needs and choices are different. Our life styles are diverse. What is useless for one person could be a treasure or useful to another. The question is “What’s the meaning of, or my connection, to this object?”

Some common objects of clutter or hoarding are clothes and shoes, documents and written information, memorabilia and garage “stuff”.

• What are the benefits of clearing out your clutter?

  • Fresh Qi will flow in your environment and through you.

  • You will gain more time.

  • It removes hazards and improves cleanliness and so reduces bacteria, etc.

  • It will help break the cycle of bad habits.

  • Improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

  • It will clear your communications and relationships with yourself and others

  • Simplifying life and making it more enjoyable.

• Can clearing out clutter help you lead a more fulfilling life?

No doubt. When you are letting go of those objects, thoughts and emotions that you don’t need you will receive more. You will be in harmony with yourself and your environment making you feel alive and happy; generally improving the quality of your life. You will feel released, ready for a fresh start and contented.

Getting rid of your pessimistic thoughts and negative emotions will help enormously to clear the “invisible clutter” in the conscious and subconscious mind.

Clutter clearing is a modern and helpful means of making a difference in your life.

• What is a good rule for deciding what to get rid of, and what to keep?

Question yourself: Do I need it, or do I want it? Why do I keep this? How many times have I used it or I will use it? Be honest with yourself!

• Would you give any tips to someone who has decided to get rid of their junk?

I tent not use the word “junk” which is an extreme from of clutter. Not all clutter is junk and many people who collect or hoard things would object to it being call junk, but accept it is clutter.

 
To effectively de-clutter:  

• • Set a time to do the task or make a schedule of “Appointments with Myself”.

  • Open the windows let the fresh air or Qi help you.

  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

  • Ask for help if you feel that you can’t do it alone, someone independent and not attached to the clutter itself. Hire a clutter clearing professional or seek the help from relatives or friends - they will probably be very happy to help you.

  • Break down the job into small tasks: one box or draw at the time.

  • Have ready some boxes and plastic bags of different sizes, marking pens, sticky labels and tape.

  • Sort items into types: rubbish, recycling, return (yes, all those things that you’ve borrowed over time and not returned), donation or for sale. Have a garage sale - they can be good fun and rewarding financially and mentally.

  • For those things you really just can’t part with, re-organize and make an orderly collection, have a place for these things that doesn’t interfere with your space and the flow of Qui.

My last recommendation:  

• • Stop clutter before it starts. Don’t fall into the trap of getting things just because they are in fashion, on sale, discount or look fancy and attractive. Research suggests that we probably need no more than 30% of what is advertised.

Written by Nidia Hansen of Global Feng Shui, based in Perth, Western Australia