Spring is a time of rebirth, renewal, and rejuvenation. With warmer weather comes the delight of shedding our heavy winter layers, and a natural desire to open up and lighten our homes. A great way to prepare for the new possibilities and transformations inherent in spring, is to clear our clutter. Feng Shui believes that as we let go of the clutter in our homes we simultaneously make space for something new and better in our lives. In other words, as we clean house, we clean self.

Central to the practice of Feng Shui is the idea that all things in the world -- including our house and possessions -- are made up of energy. This life force energy that is unique to every object affects our well-being either positively or negatively. When we look at the contents of our home from this point of view we see why it is essential to live with things that bring us joy. Broken appliances, things we don't like, or objects associated with negative memories will- whether we are conscious of them on a daily basis or not- block the flow of energy in our lives and dampen our spirits. Possessions we love, functional items, beautiful objects, and things we associate with positive memories will boost our energy. In Feng Shui, the idea is to make a loving home by surrounding ourselves with things that nurture us by lifting our energy. In turn, we may express our gratitude for these material blessings by making sure they are cared for, maintained, and have an organized space of their own.

Feng Shui also recognizes that everything is evolving. If our homes are to be sources of support and inspiration, then as we grow and change, so too must our environment. The process of clearing our clutter gives us an opportunity to let go of where we have been, examine where we are now, and set intentions for where we would like to go. In this way, we are expressing our highest idea of ourselves through our living space, and are that much closer to actualizing our dreams.

Tips for Clearing the Clutter:

1. Start small. Begin with one drawer, one shelf, or one cabinet. Successful completion of one area will motivate you for the challenging areas.
2. Leave yourself a realistic amount of time. It sometimes gets worse before it gets better. Don't begin de-cluttering your kitchen an hour before you plan to have dinner.
3. Take everything out first. Everything. This step will ensure that you address each item.
4. Clean the drawer, shelf, or cabinet before putting things back inside. You will be less apt to place anything that is less then excellent in your now clean and fresh space.
5. Give each item the useful, beautiful, or loved test. If the item matches one or more of these criteria -- keep it.

Good luck and Happy Clutter Clearing!