simple shui | 5 easy ways to clear clutter

clutter is postponed decision-making.

i’m not sure where i heard this, but it is my go-to description of clutter.

oftentimes, a client wants a shui consult minus the clutter clearing part. if only it could work that way. . .

like weight loss, a rainbow of options are available to guide you through the letting-things-go process. but no matter the method, the end result is just the same. less stuff, more life.

here are a few of my favorite starting points:

1. put a bag in the trunk of your car and once a day, deposit something you no longer LOVE or use in it. at the end of 30 days, donate the bag.

2. pick a small but well-frequented space to clean as a starting point — think: a kitchen drawer, one side of a closet, a bookshelf.

take everything out and divide it into thirds.

one-third you LOVE + keep. one-third you no longer use + donate. one-third is recycled or tossed.

coco chanel believed it was always better to be slightly under dressed. and the same applies to our houses. pare back your belongings, and a home exudes elegance.

3. spend no more than 3-4 hours in a single spell clearing clutter.

living with excess is a total energy drag. which is why purging feels ridiculously exhausting. however, reclaiming space is fiercely intoxicating and your energy will soar when you are done.

4. finish an unfinished project.

neglected endeavors are considered clutter, too. and no matter how organized your TO DO list feels, it becomes weighty if you aren’t crossing things off regularly. carrying any heavy load will drain your energy. move things off that list, and prepare for an energy surge.

5. buy something new?

rule #1: quality over quantity.

rule #2: donate or toss something to make room for the new.

this is standard protocol in our home, especially when it comes to managing clothing + shoes.

one final thought: clutter is like an unpaid bill. even if you tuck that sucker out of sight, you still owe the money, yes? same goes for clutter. whether you see it or not, clutter affects our homes and lives. so, take it slowly and think of this as a creative process. designate everything its own space, let any other physical debris go, and you will be well on your way to some serious clutter bombing!

xo