Spring is the time to refresh and renew. For the home, that means cleaning and decluttering, but our electronics need the same attention. Letting go of excess stuff is the first step to successful feng shui. A space – whether physical or virtual - that is clean, light and clear allows new energy and opportunities to enter.
Start with the Old Standbys…
Important areas to declutter are:
- Closets – Items of clothing that have not been used in over a year are probably good candidates to be given away.
- Car – Remember to clean out the trunk and glove box (a whole assortment of useless items can remain in those spaces for years).
- Files – Other than tax documents, most paperwork that you have not used in two years is ready for the trash. You can also scan needed documents into your computer and toss out the hard copy altogether.
- Books and magazines
- Items under the bed – This is a real feng shui no-no. Clutter beneath the bed blocks chi energy from flowing around your sleeping space, and enhancing romance and health
- Furniture, artwork and other items from past relationships – These items keeps you focused on the past rather than on the present. It’s also a real obstacle to creating new opportunities going forward into the future.
- Broken items – If you don’t have immediate plans to fix it, consider getting rid of it. Broken things lying around our personal space can be quite aggravating, and even debilitating to see on a regular basis.
As you go through this purging process, here are two key questions to ask as you consider each item:
Do I absolutely love it? Do I absolutely need it?
If you cannot answer YES to either one of these questions, it is
time to let it go.
Now, let’s take care of the tech trash...
We've covered the most obvious areas that need decluttering, but what about those virtual areas of our life? In the modern age, here are some additional tips:
- Computer – Dispose of outdated files, unneeded photos, and programs that you never use. It will allow the chi energy to flow easily through your computer and allow new opportunities for wealth to enter (not to mention all the additional memory you’ll free up!)Also defragment your pc, run your disc clean-up program and install anti-virus software. Where appropriate, upgrade programs to the newest versions.
What does your desktop look like? Can you easily find your most important programs and folders? Are there unneeded items on your desktop? The screensaver and desktop are the electronic equivalent of your front door in your virtual space. In feng shui, you want the entrance to be welcoming and decluttered.
- Emails – How many emails are in your In Box? File the important ones and toss the rest. Update your online address book and get rid of the zillions of business cards.
- PDAs – Any unnecessary emails, photos, videos or attachments? Toss!
- Cell Phones – Clear all old voice messages.
- TV Recorder – Tivo or DVR recorders can become cluttered with old programs or movies that you were hoping to watch, but probably never will. Time to get rid of programs that have been saved longer than a couple of months.
- Music – Download and import music from CDs. Give away the physical CDs, or store discs in sleeves and get rid of plastic cases that add bulk.
In our rapidly expanding electronic world, the same rules of good feng shui still apply: the less clutter we carry, either physical or virtual, the more open we make ourselves to the people and situations that we want to attract into our lives.
Have a beautiful spring!
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