Shed the Old – Purge Mental and Emotional Clutter

By Jessica Hoelzel

Besides physical     “things” that can clutter up our spaces and clog flow of chi, mental and emotional clutter can also stagnate our energy. All of us have it from time to time, and the goal is not to rid ourselves of it and to be forever free, but to recognize those times when we need to let go.

Life is cyclical, and there are going to be times when you realize that you feel stuck or limited by old “baggage”, old “wounds” or “limiting beliefs”. You may find yourself unable to move forward as you would like. Once you are aware that this is happening, the best next step is to decide to let those things go. Because when you can let them move on, out of your body, your psyche and your life, you make room for healthy, vibrant energy to move in. And then you can move on, towards the future that you really want, instead of being encumbered by the past.

Sarah Ban Breathnach, one of my favorite authors, stresses the importance of shedding the old – more than just physical “things”– on a daily basis:

“You’ve got to make a conscious choice every day to shed the old – whatever ‘the old’ means for you – old issues, old guilt, old patterns, old responses, old resentments, old rivalries. We no longer have the luxury of wallowing in what’s held us back, this is the emotional baggage we’re supposed to be getting rid of this time around. This is the choice standing between your dream of living authentically and its coming true.”

Root Intentions in Authenticity

By Jessica Hoelzel

Your environment, from the location of your home, it’s placement on the lot, it’s interior layout, to it’s furnishings, makes a difference on your energy level and your good fortune. Ideally, your environment should resonate with your highest or “authentic” self. The things you surround yourself with should protect your energy and uplift it. If that’s not happening for you, look for ways to adjust and improve your circumstances with feng shui.

Make an assessment based on answers to the following questions:


What feeling do you get from the space?

If your space could talk, what would it say to you?

What is your true desire for your space?

Are there things that need to be dealt with/purged?

How can your space support you better?


For feng shui to work in your life, you need to be clear about what your intentions are, and those intentions should be rooted in your authentic desires. Each moment you have a choice – to live according to your authentic self or to live disconnected from what you truly want from life.


Your space reflects your life. Let your space reflect the true you, and your life circumstances will mirror that authenticity.

Purge People – Weeding Out Clutter Bit by Bit, Part 2

By Jessica Hoelzel

Getting rid of things doesn’t have to be tough. You don’t have to feel like it’s a burden, or like it’s too much for you to handle. Taking things bit by bit, tackling areas one by one, as I mentioned in my last post, can make it seem less daunting. But what can really make decluttering less daunting is knowing why you are doing it.


When you go to declutter an area of your home with strong intentions behind your action, that’s where the true power of feng shui is possible.



What are your intentions?



To shed the old?

(Feel lighter, have more energy)



To live authentically?

(Space that’s more “you”, comfortable and enjoyable)



To have new opportunities?

(Activate flow of chi, good things come your way)



To feel protected/supported?

(Safe, someone is looking out for your well-being)



When decluttering, approach each area with the notion that you are going to weed out the things that don’t serve you anymore. Then, infuse the space with the energy of what you want to create anew. This is where things can get exciting! If you know how the bagua lays out in your home, your actions can be even more powerful.



“Your intention is what will shape your experience.”

- Gary Zukav



Good luck with your transformation.

Purge People – Weeding Out Clutter Bit by Bit

By Jessica Hoelzel

Purge people are in my house! We are moving in about 10 weeks and I am dead set on not taking clutter with me. No way. I have not-so-fond memories of the last time we moved (only less than one year ago) and how overwhelmed I was at the amount of stuff we had. I had purged before packing then too, but I’m going to be even more ruthless this time around.



Moving really puts it into perspective, because you actually have to take each and every “thing” with your own two hands, and place it in a box, then take it out of the box and decide where it’s home will be. And that’s a lot of work.



I want to get a head-start by clearing out as many things that I don’t want or need anymore, before we even start packing. My daughter Ava (8 ½) has jumped on the Purge People band wagon with me. (I’ve raised her right!) In fact, this morning before school she wanted to do some purging. That’s right, instead of watching PBS Kids or dilly-dallying around, she and I went through a cabinet in her bedroom. It stores books below and a drawer above holds little toys/coin purses, etc. We ended up with a bag of books and toys to donate and a bag of trash. It only took about 15 minutes. One area we can check off the list!



This is the type of purging I’ve already started doing around the house, and plan to continue in the next couple of weeks. One area at a time. I’ve already hit my dresser drawers and master bedroom closet, together with my husband. We came up with six bags of clothes and shoes to donate. (And we are not shoppers.) We just decided that we are not going to pack and carry anything we don’t absolutely love with us. Streamline!



I’ve also already streamlined by bathroom cabinet, pantry and magazine racks. The next areas I plan to purge this weekend are the entryway closet, linen closet and to finish Ava’s room. Then on to the garage! As I have time, I’m going to hit different areas – a cupboard here, a closet there – what I have time for, and pretty soon we’ll be ready to pack.



We are going to set up a staging area in the garage for all the purged things to go. One place for all the things we’re donating, one place for things we’re giving away to family, and one place for things we’re putting in a friend’s garage sale. And trash in the bin of course!



It is such a good feeling to get rid of things that don’t serve us anymore. We hold on to things for a lot of “maybe” reasons…Maybe I’ll wear this top again, maybe this will fit me next season, maybe I’ll use that again, maybe someone will read this, and on and on. I am choosing to live in the now. What do I need and want in my life now? Decisive action in the now spurs you forward into the future you want to create.

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Sandy! Her name was drawn as the winner of the Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier I am giving for my Spring Giveaway. I hope she likes the great smell and convenience of this stuff as much as I do. Sandy shared that her laundry/mudroom was her “Clutter Hot Spot”. That very place was shared by others as well. I hope I gave some useful ideas for her space and others in my recent blog posts.



Thanks to all who participated in sharing their “Top Clutter Hot Spots”. As always, I welcome your comments on this blog and on my facebook posts. Tell me what you want to know about, hear about, chat about! Keep in touch.