Feng Shui for Real Life

by Carol M. Olmstead, FSII
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Feng Shui For Real Life, LLC

With all the media coverage of the story about clutter contributing to weight gain, the good news is that the Feng Shui clutter-clearing changes and simple repairs you make this Fall can help increase the size of your bottom line, rather than your bottom.

Making Feng Shui changes in your home and office can stop your ship of fortune from sinking, keep your wealth flowing, and help make your bank account recession-proof even in a troubled economy.

Clutter-clearing is a big part of Feng Shui because when you clear clutter you open up space for wealth to flow. Whether that translates into more clients, a bigger salary, or more shopping bargains, the bottom line is a fatter bank account.

Clutter Clearing Strategy

Feng Shui is the art and science of placing things in your home and workplace to help you attract what you want into your life, especially wealth, harmony, and love. According to Feng Shui principles, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. Think about that as you stare at the piles on paper on your desk, the unworn clothes in your closet, and the months of unread magazines in your family room.

Since nothing new comes into your life until you make room for it, you need to clear out at least 25% of your clutter "collection" to make room for wealth. Here is one simple way to do that: Take a good look at all of those things you have been keeping in your closets, your drawers, your spare room, your garage, your attic, your basement. If you can't decide whether an object is clutter or a keeper, ask yourself these six questions:

1. Do I love it?
2. Do I need it?
3. Does it reflect who I am now in my life?
4. Does it have positive emotional attachment?
5. If it needs to be repaired am I willing to do it now?
6. If I moved tomorrow would I pay a mover to take it with me?

Did you answer "no" to any of these questions? If you did, the object is clutter and it's time to move it out of your home or office.

Fixing, Cleaning, Repairing

Related to clutter, another cause of the "skinny bank account syndrome" is neglecting to fix broken things in your home and office. If you ignore things that aren't working right, you set an intention to attract scarcity rather than prosperity. Although most people would rather buy a new flat screen than fix a leaky toilet, in the long run it's a better investment in your financial future when you spend money on the less glamorous, but necessary, repairs.

When something in your home or office is not working, I recommend you follow my Feng Shui Rule of 3Rs: Repair, Replace, or Remove it and you will clear the way for positive energy to flow into your life.

Don't know where to start fixing, cleaning, and repairing? Here are my top 10 Feng Shui clutter-clearing fixes to help you attract wealth:

1. Clean Your Front Door. The front door is where all good energy enters your home; a clean door attracts prosperity while a dirty or faded door repels it.

2. Replace Burnt Out Light Bulbs. If your rooms are dark, so is your financial future; replace burned out bulbs and brighten your possibilities to attract wealth.

3. Clean Your Windows. Windows are the "eyes" of your home; dirty windows cloud vision, while clean windows represent a clear view of your opportunities.

4. Remove Dead Plants. Dead plants symbolize dead energy; replace them with healthy living plants to grow wealth in your life.

5. Clean Your Desk Chair. If you sit on a stained, broken, or torn desk chair it represents disregard for your work; clean your chair or get a new one to improve your career outlook.

6. Repair Broken Mirrors. If you have a broken mirror you can't see things smoothly; remove or replace it to reflect a smooth road to prosperity.

7. Clear the Cobwebs. Cobwebs symbolize being wrapped up and stuck; clear them away so you can move forward.

8. Fix Drips and Leaks. Leaking water represents leaking wealth; stop the leak and you will stop the drain of your abundance.

9. Tighten Loose Door Knobs and Handles: When handles are loose you can't get a grip on your money; tighten them and wealth will be within you grasp.

10. Clean Your Stove. The burners on your stove represent wealth and your ability to feed people; keep your stove clean and immediately fix any nonworking burners.