organize and declutter Archives - Linda Varone

Summer Feng Shui Declutter: Time for Outdoor Fun.

Feng Shui declutter for summer means letting go of sporting equipment that is broken, out-of-date, or unused. Donate garden and grilling things that you don’t really use. Clear the decks for summer time outdoor fun.

Feng Shui knows that Nature is the prime Chi energizer. And contact with Nature – which is Summer’s gift to us – is the best way to absorb Chi.

When warm weather comes you clean-up the effects of winter on our home and cars, you switch to our summer wardrobe, and pull out the grilling and sports equipment. But in the excitement of summer finally arriving do you really look at and assess the stuff you have unearthed from previous summers?

This is the time to not only let-go of un-used or out-grown winter things, but to take a look at the summer stuff you are resurrecting.

Do you have things from last summer that are beyond use or never used? Now is the time to let go of them to have a clutter-free and stress-free summer.

feng shui declutter summer, young boy canoeing — What is your favorite way to enjoy nature?

As part of my seasonal Feng Shui de-cluttering I am donating a set of cross-country skis and a pair of rollerblades I haven’t used in years. I know the skis will hang around the charity store until the weather gets cold again, but the rollerblades will hopefully be grabbed within the week. Donations are a blessing for someone else, instead of clutter for me.

Summer stuff has the same kind of nostalgic glow holiday stuff contains.

Which makes it harder to let-go of. Looking at a old grill brings back memories of the wonderful cook-outs you had and the people you entertained. Looking at beach stuff you remember the sun-filled days spent there. But if the grill has been replaced by a newer one and you are keeping the old one “just in case”, or the beach umbrella has never been used, then it is time to let them go.

Summer Things You Can Let-Go Of:

sporting equipment that is broken, out-of-date, or unused because your interests have moved-on
camping equipment that hasn’t been used in donkey’s years
summer supplies that are inherited and unused
unused suitcases and travel accessories taking up space in the closet, attic or basement
grilling gizmos that looked good at the time, but never worked out.

Are your summers so cluttered with old stuff you are stuck in the past? If so, that means less energy for the present and future.

If you are holding on to something that holds memories for you, take a picture of it, or if small enough mount it in a shadow box frame.

In that pile of sneakers and boots by the back door, how many are out–of-season and need to be stored until fall? How many pairs of sneakers have simply died and need to be thrown out?

Why Feng Shui Declutter?: Unused things become clutter. Clutter is an energy drain

. Now is the time to clear these things out. Repair what you will genuinely use, donate and make someone else’s summer more fun, and trash what is too broken to repair or donate. Give yourself the gift of space and energy for this summer’s fun.

Note: check with your designated charity regarding what items they can and can’t accept.

Now that I have donated the skis and rollerblades, I have the space and energy for my new bike!

Want to have a more enjoyable and energized summer? Want to bring fresh energy into your home and your life? Contact me, today, for a personal consultation.

This article was originally published June 11, 2014 and updated June 12, 2017.

Photo by HeatherHeatherHeather

The Key Concept of Feng Shui

Many Feng Shui blogs and articles (including my own) seem to only offer decorating tips and furniture arrangement ideas. Something has gotten lost – the key concept of Feng Shui: Chi. Feng Shui decorating and furniture placement should be in the service of enhancing, balancing and harmonizing Chi energy for your benefit.

Chinese calligraphy of pictogram for Chi — Each brush stroke of this calligraphy for “Chi” has a meaning.

Let’s take a minute and discuss: What is Chi? and Why do we need it?

What is Chi?

“Chi is the invisible, intangible, animating energy of the universe.” – Stephen Post

Chi is the “life force” or “breath of life.” Ancient Taoists believed everything in the universe contained Chi.

There is Chi in the heavens – Celestial Chi – Compass school Feng Shui
There is Chi in the earth – Earth Chi – Land Form and BTB Feng Shui
And there is Chi in our bodies – Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and Tai Chi.

Why do we need Chi?

You absorb the Chi in your space – good, bad or stagnant. This is experienced as energy, and physical and mental health – good, bad or stagnant. Feng Shui seeks to bring harmonious Chi into your environment to support your personal Chi.

How does Feng Shui help you receive Chi?

How do you get Chi into your home or workspace?

“Chi floats like air and is drawn to water.” – Chinese proverb.

The words “Feng Shui” translate to “wind” and “water”. Chi is omnipresent in Nature. It enters your space through the designated front door or “mouth of Chi”. Chi is a nourishing energy.

Chi can be blocked from entering your home or office by clutter. Decluttering is an important precursor to Feng Shui, not because being organized makes you a better person, but because clutter sucks up Chi. As Chi moves through your space it scatters its energy around like fairy dust. You then absorb that energy. Chi can be lost if it leaves your home too quickly.

If the Chi of your space is out of sync with your personal needs (your 5 Element Energies) you will miss this fine-tuning of your Chi.

If the Chi of your space is too Yin or too Yang it works against the feeling and function of the space for you.

Want help improving the Chi of your home or Office? Contact Linda Varone.

If you liked this review of Chi and would like to learn more about the core concepts of Feng Shui, please comment below. Let me know what you would like to learn in these blog posts.

Chinese calligraphy by Russell Eng Gon

Feng Shui Declutter For Summer Outdoor Energy