By Jessica Hoelzel
In January we hear a lot about detoxing our bodies. After the consumption of the holidays, and with spring vacations around the corner, it’s natural to want to “clear out”, “cleanse” and “shed the weight”. Well I’m here to tell you that detoxing your home is as important as detoxing your body.
Just as toxins can build up in the body and make you feel sluggish and slow, so can clutter in your home bog you down energetically. The reason for this is that your home is an extension of you.
Clutter in your home – that is, things you don’t use or love, things that have negative associations for you, or things that you need to do something about that have been neglected – stagnate the energy. They hold you back in the past and make you feel stuck.
Removing clutter by doing a clear-out can help create new opportunities for you. Look at it this way – everything you own is tied to you with strands of energy. When you purge things, you release them into the universe, cut their energetic ties and free yourself of their burden.
Doing so regularly is important. It opens you up, and allows for new space, both literally – in your home, and figuratively – as in a space within your self. Not only will this new space make you feel lighter and more energetic, but it will provide an opening for more blessings to come to you. And these, in turn, provide you with new, vital energy as well.
So when you’re thinking about getting an energetic boost this time of year, don’t forget to honor your space with a clear-out. And therefore you honor and restore your self as well.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Year, New Possibilities
By Jessica Hoelzel
Have you thought about your intentions for the New Year – how you want to live, what you want to be different in your home?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about not seeing piles of stuff in the entry when you walk in? Maybe be able to walk with ease on a clear path to your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing is empowering. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost, moving you in a positive direction for the New Year.
Without a doubt, after the activity of the holidays, starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
To quote Sarah Ban Breathnach, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Next ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, for sure, and slot in some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. But you can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out closets or playrooms, to make room for the new things you’ve gotten?
Make sure to include your family. It will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but like my mom’s cross stitch sampler says, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. Make it an organized new year!
Have you thought about your intentions for the New Year – how you want to live, what you want to be different in your home?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about not seeing piles of stuff in the entry when you walk in? Maybe be able to walk with ease on a clear path to your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing is empowering. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost, moving you in a positive direction for the New Year.
Without a doubt, after the activity of the holidays, starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
To quote Sarah Ban Breathnach, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Next ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, for sure, and slot in some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. But you can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out closets or playrooms, to make room for the new things you’ve gotten?
Make sure to include your family. It will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but like my mom’s cross stitch sampler says, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. Make it an organized new year!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Being Prepared
By Jessica Hoelzel
There isn’t a science to defining when we’re ready for feng shui advice, in my opinion. One doesn’t have to weigh various factors such as whether this room is presentable or whether that project is done before I show up at the door.
People might think they need to have things organized to perfection and beautiful interior design displayed before my eyes. But if the house has amazing feng shui, why would they need an appointment in the first place? For me to say, “Yep, this is good. Good feng shui. Goodbye now”?
No. It’s for me to assess the space – exactly how it is right now, this very moment – before you run around stashing papers in the hall closet, before you throw everything in the garage (hoping I won’t look there).
Not being emotionally ready is the true reason some people delay making that feng shui appointment, why they feel they aren’t prepared (yet). By not emotionally ready I mean they are fearful. Fearful of looking bad or of hearing bad news.
Fear is the opposite of confidence. When people back away from their fears, look at them objectively and release attachment to them, they can be in a place where feedback, food for thought and growth is welcome.
So, back away from those fears. Breath in and feel confident. “This is my house. This is me, right here right now. I’m ready to learn how I can enhance it. Today.”
There isn’t a science to defining when we’re ready for feng shui advice, in my opinion. One doesn’t have to weigh various factors such as whether this room is presentable or whether that project is done before I show up at the door.
People might think they need to have things organized to perfection and beautiful interior design displayed before my eyes. But if the house has amazing feng shui, why would they need an appointment in the first place? For me to say, “Yep, this is good. Good feng shui. Goodbye now”?
No. It’s for me to assess the space – exactly how it is right now, this very moment – before you run around stashing papers in the hall closet, before you throw everything in the garage (hoping I won’t look there).
Not being emotionally ready is the true reason some people delay making that feng shui appointment, why they feel they aren’t prepared (yet). By not emotionally ready I mean they are fearful. Fearful of looking bad or of hearing bad news.
Fear is the opposite of confidence. When people back away from their fears, look at them objectively and release attachment to them, they can be in a place where feedback, food for thought and growth is welcome.
So, back away from those fears. Breath in and feel confident. “This is my house. This is me, right here right now. I’m ready to learn how I can enhance it. Today.”
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