Clutter means a lot of different things to people. However, when I see piles of clutter and build up, I always equate it to energy flow. To me accumulated piles of stuff represent stagnant energy, or a blockage, in one form or another. Sometimes the “fix” is as easy as rearranging furniture, getting rid of something, or committing to finish something that’s been lingering on the to-do list. Other times the “fix” can be more complex. Either way, I use clutter as a diagnostic tool to figure out what’s really going on.
I became interested in feng shui some years ago. Admittedly I don’t really know or understand that much about it, but what I remember is that certain areas of the home represent different areas of our life (e.g. finances, health, relationships, career, etc.). Having and maintaining a good flow of energy in each area is integral for us to remain balanced and happy in our lives. Armed with this minimal understanding of feng shui, I started applying it to my home and my professional career.
A few years ago I noticed that I wasn’t being creative (i.e. playing my instrument and writing). I took a long hard look at my designated “creative area” and immediately saw the problem. Somehow my creative space had turned into a dumping ground for my junk. I couldn’t even see my desk anymore. I sorted through the chaos and then relocated my “creative area” to a different spot in the apartment. Not only did I start to feel creative again, but the desk never accumulated clutter the way it had in the previous area.
Even in my professional career I’ve observed correlations between the well-being of the employees and the amount of stuff lying around their work areas. For example, one department I worked with had huge volumes of files, boxes, and binders piled up everywhere. They also had a high turnover rate and employees were always trying to transfer out.
Tips:
- Observe if you have any piles of clutter and build up stagnating in your home (or work place).
- Figure out what those areas represent to you in your life.
- Assess what’s causing the energy blockages.
- Change something, anything.
- Try out the new changes and keep adjusting until you feel satisfied.
Homes and work places are dynamic environments that may require changes over time to accommodate ever-changing needs.
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