While we are in the "Yang" energy of winter, it's a good time to reassess our surroundings, our energy and quite frankly, our lives. Thinking about what is working for us, what isn't and changing the energy to enhance the areas of our lives that just aren't going our way is not such a difficult process once you understand it. Clearing the clutter from our lives for many people is quite another thing.

Go from overwhelmed...

Why do we view "clutter" as such an important concept in Feng Shui? By the definition of clutter that I relate to my clients, it consists of things (they are, after all, only things) we don't Need, Use or Like anymore. "Things" that are just taking up space because we "might" need them, because Aunt Bessie gave them to us (and what if she comes over??) or because we somehow acquired it and it's too "good" to discard or too expensive to donate. So we live with it and let it take up valuable space, not only in our surroundings but in our minds as well.

Yes, clutter DOES relate to your mind and how well you function during the day. It can keep you up all night worrying about all the things you have to take care of the next day because you haven't organized. Now, like never before, we are calling in professional organizers to teach us what we should already know: how to let go of the old, keep arranged what we need, and to know where to find things. Talk about time saving! Being surrounded by clutter boggles our minds - we can't think clearly or find things and become frustrated.

Winter is a wonderful time to "lighten up" by finally getting rid of these things that are holding you down. A Feng Shui perspective for letting go of clutter is to get out the old to let in the new…new energy, new beginnings, and a powerful intention we put out to kick start those areas in our lives we're just not happy with.

So, for the clutter hoarders out there, where to begin? Well, first survey your surroundings whether at home or at the office, observe whether you are walking around objects or things are placed relatively well, allowing the energy to just flow through your space. The traditional way of clearing clutter is to get boxes, label them with the words "keep," "discard," "organize," and "donate" or "sell" work best for my clients. And then just DO it.

For paperwork, clean that desk and your workstation. Staples has a multitude of things now to organize your paperwork from file cabinets to desk organizers. A place for everything and everything in its place was something my Grandmother always said----and that woman could find anything! Take the time to file those papers in an organized manner that you will be easily able to locate them when needed. Get an inbox and an outbox, a rack for priority things and one for things that can wait. Keep a "to do" list on your desk so you won't have to review everything in the morning. And most of all, keep your desk clutter free when you're done for the day. How much nicer it is to walk into a clean, open space to begin your NEW day rather then one with "leftovers" of yesterdays work.

...to organized and effective.

Household items? Take stock. Do you USE them, NEED them, even WANT them? If you can use the extra income, sell them on sites such as Ebay or Yahoo Groups such as "Your junk, my treasure." It amazes me that no matter how an obscure an object is that you may be looking for a particular reason, you can usually find it on Ebay. And someone may well be looking for something you no longer feel the need to hold onto.

Don't waste further time on the things no one would want, donate them to a local charity and get a tax deduction. Let others less fortunate get them at a "steal" and you'll both be thrilled. Especially with all the disasters, people are badly in need of almost everything you have and many are willing to pick the items up. Find a good cause and keep it, they will help you just as much as you are helping them.

The "Maybes" box might take a little longer, keep in mind you don't want to keep things you might need in a year or two. Lighten up NOW and vow to finally part with those gifts, books, old VHS tapes or any clothes that you no longer use or need. And don't part with what you love, whether it is being used or not, you feel good when you surround yourself with objects that make you feel good for one reason or another.

Remember, too, that this is not an overnight process but a very important one. When you're done, you will feel better, lighter and more free then you have felt in a very long time. One of my clients that I finally convinced to get rid of all the clutter she had in her house, including a garage filled floor to ceiling with items that were not being used, put it best. In an email she wrote to me when she finally got the courage to organize she wrote: "It's funny, but every time something good happens, I think of our consultation." What a testimonial to the powers not of me, but the by using the principles of Feng Shui.