What Feng Shui Has to Say About Clutter
photo credit: Jun Kaneko
Feng shui, in its Westernized form, is the art of arranging rooms to maximize the flow of positive energy. Whether or not you practice feng shui as a hobby or a lifestyle (or not at all), there are quite a few good ideas that come out of this tradition. But what does feng shui have to say about clutter?
The Dangers of Clutter: Scarier Than You Think
First, clutter is a serious problem. We typically think the biggest problem with clutter is that we lose some time here and there looking for items. If you’re practicing feng shui, you’re more worried about clutter damaging your health, decimating your bank account, and making you tired and depressed. Since feng shui is about creating a positive flow of energy, clutter is seen as literally blocking that flow. In a cluttered room, your energy stagnates, your mood declines, and your focus dwindles. There’s no energy to bring in new ideas and inspiration. You’re essentially trapped.
What’s the Definition of Clutter?
So what constitutes clutter? You’re going to love this: anything you don’t use or love. This is a definition that allows us to let go of things that may be useful (someday) or that we feel obligated to keep. If you don’t use it or love it, chuck it. And if you love an item, it’s good for your home. So what if your favorite cozy blanket doesn’t match the decor? If you love it, it’s bringing you good vibes.
Other energy-sucking clutter zones include unfinished projects (I’m in trouble here…), unorganized areas, and a glut of items. Since each room only has space for so many items, there’s a cap to how many tchotchskes you can have before they start to strangle you. Plus, any items that aren’t in their proper places are also considered energy-blockers.
Unblocking the Chi: How to Clear out a Room
How do you clear it out? There’s no mystery here: get rid of stuff. Anything that you don’t love and value should be considered ripe for the “outta here” pile. Then, organize what’s left. Both visible and out-of-sight clutter count, so if you’re really trying to create a positive flow of energy, you’ll need to hit the closets and drawers in a space as well.
So does the feng shui definition of clutter resonate with you? Do the dangers of clutter seem realistic? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments!
July 17th, 2008 at 3:44 am
That’s made me even more determined to de-clutter everything. I have enough trouble with my energy as it is, without blocking the flow. Thanks.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:03 am
you are right. feng shui rules! but is question: feng shui is modern thing? longlasting? idea? principle? method? where to use it?
July 17th, 2008 at 6:04 am
I’m a great believer that decluttering frees up energy and allows it to flow. One of the best things you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed or lethargic is to move at least a couple of items out of your home. You can actually feel the shift in energy.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
@Sharon: That’s what I like about these ideas. Whether you really believe in the underlying principles of feng shui or not, the ideas and actions that go along with it can really help out.
@Tobto: Feng shui is an extremely old philosophy. The original feng shui didn’t actually have much to do with home decor and office workspace flow; it was more about finding a place for your home, your burial, etc. But the modern feng shui that is discussed usually refers to the energy in each room. It’s not a method per se, but offers methods to achive a greater flow in life through the arrangement of space. I’m not an expert in feng shui by any means, but thought a look at the principles would be a useful topic here. If you want to know more, there are plenty of websites and books that can tell you far more than I can.
@Marelisa: I know! I actually feel lighter when I get rid of stuff, and that’s a wonderful feeling.
@Marelisa:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:23 am
In many ways the feng shui implications of clutter do in fact resonate with me. And, I really need to get my act together in this arena. And I will.
Clutter distracts the mind. It’s almost as if instead of your mind coming up with fabulous blog ideas, it is catering to the negativity of all that stuff you have laying around…
Clear out the clutter - and your mind gains clarity too.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am
If you would have talked to me about feng shui 2 ~ 3 years ago, I would have given you a fake smile, a nod of the head and been on my merry way. Back then, the definition of feng shui didn’t resonate with me and the dangers certainly didn’t seem realistic.
But alas things have changed. Thing is, in my 2nd year of college I underwent a tough time. Life got hectic for me…things got tough… I was working full-time and going to school full-time (I know, I know, people do that all the time. But it was tough for “me”).
I visited my mother back home one day. Just before I had left for college, she bought me a graduation present and a congratulatory present for getting into UCLA; she bought me a car. Anyway, when I came home she saw that the car was a mess. I mean I loved my car, but it was a mess. Here’s where I had my “aha” moment… She said to me, “you know sweety, how you keep your car is a reflection of how organized your life is.”
At first I didn’t give it much thought; we were going to dinner and were having a good time. But when I got home, the comment stuck in my head and, well, it resonated with me. How I keep my car and my home, is a reflection of how organized my life is. I want an organized life (I need an organized life), a life full of positive energy and so I endeavor to create as much simplicity in my life as possible by keeping things clean and organized (I’m far from perfect and sometimes things aren’t so organized but I’m conscious of the fact that they should be and so I put in the effort).
Do I believe in feng shui? You bet your butt I do
July 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Oh, I resonate to this post. I love clutter-free rooms and space; they help me focus on people instead of things, and also on my true core values, rather than on all the distractions that the clutter triggers in my mind.
Of course, finding the time to de-clutter is an ongoing issue for me. Here is a technique I use for finding time for important things in general: http://www.diamondcutlife.org/the-inconvenient-truth-of-the-168-hour-week/
warm wishes,
Alison in Oregon
July 17th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Uh oh, I guess I have really bad feng shui. I have too many things that may be useful someday and things I feel obligated to keep.
I’ve made great strides in convincing people that I really don’t want any presents for Christmas or my birthday, and now I’m trying to get rid of stuff I have. I find that hard to do, because I hate to waste stuff, and decluttering isn’t especially fun for me. I wish I had never gotten the clutter in the first place!
July 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I aspire to feng shui but haven’t quite managed to achieve such a lofty goal. I move stuff I don’t use on a regular basis to the garage, attic, and basement. Also I am able to navigate around the rooms in the house in the dark without killing myself. The closest my domain comes to achieving feng shui is when company comes over (announced).
July 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m not into Feng Shui, but I can’t stand clutter. My house is almost completely clutter-free.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
The first thing I did when I moved into the Urbane Lion’s house was throw out all the dried flower arrangements he had. Not only are they dust collectors, but they zap the energy in a house. He didn’t believe me, but one day when he was gone, I threw them all out. I didn’t tell him what I had done, but he walked into the kitchen after awhile and said “Something’s different. I can breathe.” Yup! Then I ‘fessed up and he had to agree with me.
I live by the rule of ‘love it? need it?’. My next greatest challenge is to introduce it to the Lion. He is such a pack rat!
July 17th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Feng shui rocks! I totally believe in the energy and clutter connection. Whenever my fiance is upset he cleans everything and he always says that a clean home clears his mind and airs the room for those good deep breaths of relaxation. I too find that when my mind is in a choke hold of thoughts I declutter it by blogging. I think its important to utilize feng shui for your blog as well, that way you can better organize your info and the flow of the energy in your messages will resonate better.
By the way I love that pic! I’m trying to find a header like that for my blog.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I do the same thing, when I am upset I clean like a mad woman and then I am able to relax. Great post.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
@Bamboo Forest: I do think it goes as deep as our thoughts. I know I’m certainly not enlightened enough to where my external environment doesn’t affect my internal state.
@Ricardo: I love your comments! Your mom’s point is well-taken. But if one of the seats in my car is chewed up, what does that say about my life?
@Alison: Thanks for sharing the link; we often do have more time than we claim.
@Hunter: Cutting down on gifts around the holidays has been a big goal of mine. I love presents, but the whole gift-giving process can be stressful on others, and I’d rather hear nice words from them in the long run.
@Mark: Navigating rooms in the dark is about all I strive for. I think that’s a fantastic accomplishment.
@Vered: I don’t actually practice feng shui, but I do enjoy the perspective. I think my no-clutter perspective falls in line with what most practitioners recommend. Like you, I find it hard relax around clutter.
@Urban Panther: What a cool story. I’m still trying to find balance between my habits and my husband’s. Sigh.
@Tiffany: I really love the idea of decluttering your mind by blogging. That’s a fantastic way of putting it!
@Christa: We should start some kind of weird Monica Gellar fan club.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Great post, Sara. You know me, I hate clutter
I don’t know much about feng shui except which way a bed is supposed to face for positive energy. And now I know “no clutter”. Looks like I’m more feng shui than I thought!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
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July 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
With the impending arrival of a new baby my wife and I are in a de-cluttering mode or as I refer to it “thinning the herd”. The only thing I can add is that when you do so, don’t just chuck it, DONATE it! Someone out there may need/want “it” and you do two good things with one action.
Zendad
http://www.zendad.net
July 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
@Emily: I know you hate clutter–I caught your awesome post at Simple Mom today!
@Zendad: “Thinning the herd”–I’m really digging that term.
Thanks for recommending donations. It’s just as easy (well, almost) but so much better for, well, everyone.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:54 am
@Sara: Why thank you
Re: “if one of the seats in my car is chewed up, what does that say about my life?”
That you’re ready to tackle life no matter how hard it bites you?
July 18th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I really do not like clutter. However, my problem is that I’ve got too much mail coming in and paper lying around. Unfortunately, my husband is also having his home office right beside me. Yikes!!! I’m not very organised myself; I work with the flow. It’s a problem that has not been easy for me to solve!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:31 am
This post arrived just in time. I’ve been looking at my horribly cluttered desk for over a week now and thinking I should do something about it. It’s closing in on my computer so much so that I’m starting to feel suffocated…I guess it’s because the flow of energy is really blocked. Now that I know that, thanks to you, I think I’ll finish up my week with a good cleaning, sorting, and throwing out of stuff I don’t need. With the energy restored, maybe Monday morning won’t seem as bad!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I’m going to be moving into a new place in a couple of weeks. I’m excited not only because it’s a larger space with some amenities I haven’t had for a while (& at a lower price), but because I get to go through everything I own, reorganize it, and get rid of everything I don’t use/love. I’ve always loved that about moving - especially into completely new places, for example, abroad, or some new city at home - because you take only what you need with you (usually what fits in your car or truck). Your post makes me wanna pick up a book on feng shui…. I’m so particular about how my place looks (mainly feels and flows) that I could probably use some pointers to make the process of setting up a home easier. Thanks!
July 19th, 2008 at 3:24 am
What Feng Shui Has to Say About Clutter…
Feng shui, in its Westernized form, is the art of arranging rooms to maximize the flow of positive energy. Whether or not you practice feng shui as a hobby or a lifestyle (or not at all), there are quite a few good ideas that come out of this tradition…
July 20th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
@Ricardo: Re: my chewed-up car–I love your interpretation!
@Evelyn: Ugh–the neverending flow of mail is definitely challenge. I’m still working on solutions that work in my household. At this point, just getting the trash and junk into the recycle bin as soon as possible and getting the rest into a inbox (ie, away from the kitchen table) has been a big help.
@Laurie: I definitely enjoy starting off the work week fresh by taking some time on Sundays to pick up and clear out clutter. It may be just a psychological thing, but it works for me.
@Ulyana: Congratulations on the new place! I love that moving puts a physical price on everything: extra boxes, extra car loads, and extra work. I usually end up moving some questionable stuff, but getting rid of it soon after. Have fun setting up your new place!
July 21st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hi Sara,
I enjoy decluttering and getting rid of stuff. Soon, I won’t have to worry about that anymore as I’m on a decluttering mission.
I love a room or closet that’s neat and organized. It lifts my spirits and makes me feel “light”. Let the chi flow.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Barbara,
I don’t know whether it’s chi, the existential weight of ownership, or what, but I get that same light feeling.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I always think of clutter as a mental drain–the more clutter around me, the more my brain has to keep mental tabs on–that pile of things over there, and the pile over here, not to mention the one right in front of me. When things are sorted and filed and put away, my brain can relax, but when they’re sitting in front of me (or near me)? They’re taunting and distracting and stressful!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Deb,
Exactly! You said it perfectly: “the more clutter around me, the more my brain has to keep mental tabs on.” And I know what you mean about the taunting. The piles of clean laundry that aren’t put away love to smirk at me.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I just found this post, thank you.
After 10 years, I finally cleared out everything. You see, I’m a compulsive hoarder. For the month of June, I blogged every day about clearing, decluttering and all the emotions that went with it. Well, that still go along with it.
I wish my problem was the clutter you describe - that’d be easy to deal with!
~ Reese
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Hi Reese,
I’ve been digging through your blog (it’ll take awhile to get through everything), and it’s pretty inspiring to read. Hoarding is a huge challenge to move past, and it’s definitely not the same as basic clutter. Best wishes and lots of support as you move forward in your life.