Feng Shui, the ancient Asian art of placement,
REARRANGE
teaches the power of how changing your environment
Arrange what you choose to keep in a pleasing way
can change your life. It is based on the idea of chi,
and dust, sweep and mop to make everything fresh.
or life force, the energy that runs through all of
In closets and the basement, organize your belongings
creation. This is the same energy that is developed
in an attractive manner such as colorful storage bins.
and directed through martial arts and Tai Chi. By
The effect is palpable. You will be amazed what a
arranging your belongings differently and improving
difference you will feel just walking by a corner or the
flow, you affect the energy in your space which in turn, shifts the energy in your body and mind. Feng Shui consultants can charge up to hundreds of dollars an hour to advise their clients, but here are some simple basics that can have a profound impact as you go into the holiday season.
DECLUTTER The first order of business is always to clean up and de-clutter. Items that sit unused block the flow of chi and cause the energy in your home or office to stagnate.
How to Enlighten Up
door of a closet that has been purged and organized. This process can be a
1. Pick one closet or room per week/month on which to focus.
daunting task especially if
2. Remove unused, broken and outdated items and sell or donate.
accumulate. I recommend
3. Clean and freshen space.
your home clearing clutter,
4. Organize and arrange remaining items attractively.
improved energy. Your mind
5. Enjoy the new energy.
physical energy to take on
you have lived somewhere for a long time. It is amazing how much stuff we can picking one closet or room a week, or even month, to tackle. As you work through you will start to feel the will be quieter and sharper. Your heart will be lighter and you will have more the next project.
You, in turn, are impacted by this stagnant energy making you feel fatigued,
PURGE
listless and unmotivated. The visual impact of mess
Purging can also improve your finances as well as
and piles creates mental chaos, and knowing your
dilemmas you have been struggling to solve. By
closets are clogged with unused items blocks the flow
clearing your physical space, you create mental space
of new ideas and insights.
and new ideas and insights about your problems will
The solution, as my friend used to say, is simple
flow – the increased chi will draw prosperity to you.
but not easy: CLEAN! Scan your home with a critical
Additionally, Feng Shui teaches that lightening your
eye and remove things you don’t need or use. Corners,
space will encourage your body to lighten up and you
shelves and closets are not for storing things you
will lose weight. This might seem farfetched but it
don’t know what to do with. Be particularly ruthless
couldn’t hurt to try, right?
in your closets and storage spaces, gathering unused and outdated items.
42 livingwellnesskc.com november | december 2013
Start today with just one corner and experience the power of enlightening up.