The Feng Shui Of Spring Cleaning

Some people may groan at the fact that when seasons change, spring cleaning time arrives again (myself included), but it does you a world of good in all aspects of your life. When we take the time to clear out the clutter from our daily lives, we are in fact saying to the Universe, “Yes, I can let go of my past baggage and I am ready for new opportunities and new experiences”.

Each season is a time for new beginnings, let this Spring finally be the year that you begin renewed and ready for anything! Here are some simple Feng Shui cleaning tips to get you started…

Your Main Entry and Welcoming Energy

In Feng Shui, main entrances determine how you present yourself to the world. Front doors and pathways leading to your home are the first thing visitors notice.

How do you want others to see you?

• Place a beautiful ceramic pot of flowers, with a touch of red at your front door. Ceramic represents the Earth element (grounding & stable), while red is a very auspicious color, adding power and luck.
• If you place an outdoor fountain by your front door to activate “kan gua”, career luck, make sure the water flows toward your door, not away from it. You want all that good chi to come into your life, not flow out of it!
• Hang a welcoming wind chime to help keep the positive Chi moving. Ensure that the area is well lit, as light attracts good Chi, thereby increasing its flow into your house.

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful
or believe to be beautiful.”
— William Morris

Create Fresh New Energy in Your Old Space

Focus on bringing fresh energy into your space; fresh flowers, fresh air, fresh fruits on the kitchen table, and fresh scents in the air.

• To promote calm, health, and restfulness, incorporate the scent of vanilla into your home. Vanilla helps to soothe and comfort, as well as decrease stress. Breathe in relaxation, and give yourself a moment to just “be”.
• Wind chimes can be used indoors, to slow down fast-moving chi, or to lift the energy of a room. If a certain area of your home has a major clutter problem, hang a wind chime there for a few days and make sure it sounds often. It will help loosen up the stuck energy so your clutter-clearing efforts will progress more quickly.

Office Clutter and Career Energy

• A clear, organized desk will increase your productivity, creativity and job satisfaction. Choose to start practicing the habit of always leaving your desk clear whenever you finish working.
• If you work on a computer, go through and delete any unnecessary files. This will help you feel empowered and in control of your career.
• Place your desk in the furthest corner from the door, but where you can still easily see the door, as this is a power spot.

Bedroom Clutter and Relationship Energy

“It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home.”
— Author Unknown

To enhance any relationship, pay special attention to clutter in your bedroom. Bedroom clutter will clog the energy of both you and your partner.

• With the change of seasons, it is a good time to work on closets and drawers. Store or toss winter clothing. Sort through your winter clothes, eliminating anything that no longer fits, can’t be repaired, or you just don’t like anymore.
• After clearing the clutter, fill the room with any of these scents; rose, which encourages warm, loving feelings; lavender which calms; or jasmine, which enhances harmony and desire.

Basement, Attic or Garage Clutter Drains Energy

“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Sometimes we get so caught up in the main parts of our house, that we forget about the basement, garage and attics. In Feng Shui, these areas represent our past, our buried feelings and our leftover“baggage”.
• Spring is an ideal time to tackle the junk you have piled there, to deal with “later”. Take a few hours to sort through your belongings and see if there are items that you don’t use, are broken, out of date, or bring up unpleasant memories.

Once this chore is done, you will sleep better at night and feel lighter knowing your past is free and clear.

Kitchen Clutter and Healthy Energy

“We should look for someone to eat and drink with
before looking for something to eat and drink…”
— Epicurus

One of the main areas, which has a large impact on your health, is your kitchen. Clutter in the kitchen, can cause damage to your overall health and well-being. Physically, it blocks your body’s energy, making you feel tired and lethargic. Mentally, it causes you to feel confused and disorganized. Emotionally, clutter can make you feel ashamed, unmotivated and depressed.

• Check the area under the sink; keep only the cleaning products that you use. Go through each shelf on your refrigerator and freezer; remove any out-of-date items. Minimize “stuff” on the counter tops.
• Clean your stove, inside and out: A shiny, properly functioning stove is symbolic of prosperity and wealth. If any kitchen appliance is broken, get it fixed or get rid of it.
• Place lucky bamboo or other plants near the kitchen sink to discourage wealth from going down the drain. You may also tie a red ribbon on your faucet to accomplish this as well.