declutter photo

While clutter might seem somewhat inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, you’d be wise to consider the Feng Shui take on an untidy space. According to principles of this ancient Chinese art, clutter prevents chi (positive energy or life force) from flowing throughout your home. Clutter contributes to feelings of being stuck or of being unable to relax in your home. The mere act of clearing clutter can renew your life by releasing negative emotions, and allowing you to create space for the things you want to achieve.

This week we will start with decluttering your closet. Start with Dina’s tips on what works best for your body type and take it from there to really clear out what you don’t need and start the year fresh.

Here are three simple steps to take to cut down on the “Stuff” that gets in your way (literally and figuratively!)

Step 1—Commit. Every day for the next week, take small steps towards reducing the clutter in your closet. Don’t try to do it all at once or you are likely to succumb to extreme overwhelm! Instead take an afternoon to focus on one section of your closet and move on from there. In one week, your closet will be a lot neater and it won’t feel like it was a burden.

Step 2—Keep, Toss, Donate.  Create boxes for each of these to make it easier to categorize your things. By sticking to this method, you merely need to deal with the “Keep” box when you’re through. Go through every piece of clothing, shoes, accessory, that you have. Use this checklist to get you started:

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Sportswear
  • Sleepwear
  • Fancy blouses
  • Every day blouses
  • Fancy dresses
  • Every day dresses
  • Jeans
  • Fancy trousers
  • Every day trousers
  • T-shirts
  • Skirts
  • Fancy shoes
  • Every day shoes
  • Sports shoes
  • Sweaters
  • Jackets
  • Coats
  • Scarves
  • Earrings
  • Necklaces
  • Rings
  • Bracelets
  • Hair accessories
  • Bags/purses

Go through clothes in storage and then go through your bathroom and throw out any old toiletries or shampoos; makeup; lotions; facial creams; body creams.  You can find storage boxes in several shapes and sizes as well as hangers at IKEA.

Step 3—Stay Detached. (Or as detached as humanly possible!) Sentimentality or a sense that “I’ll need this someday…” are likely the reasons you’re walled in by clutter, so it’s important to stay focused on the task at hand. This only works if you can be ruthless about what you keep. If you haven’t worn it, used it, or looked at it in the past year, it should go. No exceptions! It also helps to keep in mind that that blouse/coat/pants you’re hanging onto but never wear could be used daily by someone who really needs it.

As Leo Babauta so eloquently puts in his book, The Power of Less, “Simplifying isn’t meant to leave your life empty—it’s meant to leave space in your life for what you really want to do.” Out with the old, in with the new—and improved! By clearing space you’ll be making room for wonderful things to flow in.

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