Walk Through

Over the years, my cleaning style has ebbed and flowed; my daughter tells me I could write a book on feng shui, (and wonders why I don't just do what I know, lol!) 

Recently I've been shifting things around, with the goal of moving my Atelier into the back section of my living room, at 10 x 10' it's about 2x the space of my dining nook! My harps and a chair will move into the nook (5x6') and I'm reorganizing the seating area.

I've moved a couple of bookshelves, have a pile of books to donate, and my living room currently looks worse than before I began! But, .... it's on its way.  I enjoy watching Melissa Maker's Cleaning videos, and tips from Rachel Hoffman of UFYH for inspiration.

Living room corner

I especially like Rachel's reminder that "Company ready is good, but you ready is better!" She suggests cleaning in small blocks of 20 minutes, resting 10, (or more) and takes into account chronic health problems and depression, which can form roadblocks to having a welcoming habitat! Her compassionate style is a welcome change from guilt. 

Bookshelf switch

One of the habits that can help keep things clear is to do a couple of Walk Throughs each day. A "walk through" is basically going through a room, attending to things you notice are out of place or trash, and dealing with them. Dishes to the kitchen, throw away or recycle trash, neaten a surface. This is something "neat" folks do automatically, and makes a big difference when we incorporate it!

It's a concept kids can learn, and can help with. A quick check for toys and shoes which need to be put away, and dishes bussed takes just a couple of minutes, who knew?! 

What are some of your favorite routines and tips for "you ready?"

Clearing the Decks

 We've all got them, areas or a whole house full of too. much. stuff.  

Do you get bogged down just thinking about it? I do a good job for awhile, then get busy and things multiply!! 

CLEARING CLUTTER for POSITIVE CHANGE
Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates, and likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates. It can be a vicious cycle, clutter is both a symptom and cause of heavy or stagnant chi, of struck life force.  And fortunately, movement of either prompts flow in both!

When we clear physical, emotional and mental clutter and stagnant energy in our environment, we free and release the stuck energy that keeps us in a holding pattern of exhaustion, overwhelm, and/ or procrastination. 
Clearing clutter also enhances sleep, clarity of thought, vitality, sparks joy, enhances prosperity, and healthy weight! An added bonus, clear space requires less time spent cleaning, and easier upkeep.

Take a moment, and think how you feel in your messiest space. Notice your posture, and sensations in your body. Take a breath and shake that out!
Now, picture walking into a beautiful, serene space, perhaps in a spa or retreat center. Notice how your body reacts, is your breath fuller? Do you feel like you can take up more space? Stand taller? 

When you're ready to dig in, here are some tips from my inspirational friend Gwynne Warner, Feng Shui consultant, and  from a few others on clearing clutter and setting a more harmonious environment.  

 Basic guidelines:

• Pick a day when the wind is not to strong, nor eerily still. When the wind is strong, wealth can't accumulate - this can be a good time to get rid of dated documents, files, or office paper!
• Choose a time you feel the most energized, daylight and morning are great
• Wear bright colors, orange, yellow, red are yang and give energy. (Blue, grey and pastels are more yin, and better for relaxing) 
• Take breaks for crying, dancing, breathing, drinking water, eating a good snack. After 25 minutes, feel free to stop for the day, or take a 10 minute break, and do some more! 

Before you begin:

• Make some notes on what you'd like to accomplish.
• Keep a clipboard handy for jotting down action steps. 
• Fill a Waterbottle or big glass of water with a sprig of mint, lemon and cucumber, and remember to drink some periodically. 

• Start to sift the stagnant energy of the area by increasing yang (active) energy
• Turn on all the lights (bring in more light if it's a dark area!) 
• Open windows and doors in the space - even just a crack for at least 10 minutes. 
• Burn incense: sandalwood, juniper, nag champa, or spritz with essential oil in water: orange, Neroli, bergamot
• Clap or ring bells to "wake up" the space
• Play uplifting, joyful music, or a video on cleaning that space, or, ...

While You Clear Clutter

• Clear in blocks of 15-45 minutes - set a timer, and take breaks. 
• My favorite patterns are 20/10 (especially good if you have chronic health challenges or are depressed) and 45/15. 
• And remind yourself - even 5-10 minutes is better than Ø ! 

Gather 4 bags, bins or boxes, and Mark:

• Obvious Trash (things someone else would toss)
• Recycling (ditto - I have a tall white trash basket for recycling that I bring into the room I'm working on)
• Donate / gift/ sell
• Things to take to another area

Pick up one thing at a time and ask yourself

• Does it LIFT MY ENERGY when I think about it/ look at it?
• Do I absolutely LOVE it?
• Do I actually USE it? (Or have another like it that I like better?)
• Do I NEED it?
• Where would I look for it?

If your answer to any of thefirst 4 is, "No!" -  count it as clutter, and let it go!" Place it in the appropriate box.  Pick up the next item and ask the same question.

After You've Finished Clearing Clutter for the Day

• Allow yourself 10- 15 minutes to:
• Empty the trash immediately, outside your home
• Take recycling to your bins 
• Take things in the transit box back where they belong. If that area is also cluttered, put it close, books by the book shelf, etc.
• Put items to donate in your vehicle (or in separate area, and make a note of when you plan to deal with them)

Tidy time - I like to allow another 10-15 minutes for this step!

• Sweep or vacuum
• Spray with aromatherapy/burn incense
• Look at the area you've just cleared, and congratulate yourself! 
• Woo hoo, we did it! Even if you only spent 10 or 20 minutes, it is that much more than nothing! 

After You've Cleared Clutter from the Entire Room

• Clean the room - I personally love Melissa Maker's "Clean My Space" videos and blog! Her 1, 2, 3 room sweep is great (and works great for minor clutter!) 
• Use simple cleaning products (Melissa has tutorials on making your own!) Scent with lemon grass, pine, basil, orange or rosemary if you wish.
• Bring in or buy fresh flowers
• Sit in your favorite chair and admire the room, you did a great job!! 
• Reward yourself! (Hint, think experience rather than retail therapy!) 

Staying Clutter Clear
Are you great at doing "Bumble-Bee Cleaning" (BBC) just before someone comes over? I am! Rachel Hoffman of UFYH reminds us that we are important, and suggests we clean for ourselves, not just for company! "Company ready is good, but you ready is better!"

• After an area or room has been Cleared of Clutter, it's easier to keep it that way if you do a little every day! Set the timer for 20 minutes, and do a basic reset. 
• Notice where Things tend to accumulate, and streamline ways you deal with those. 
• UFYH offers great tips for getting on top of the clutter. (And there's a Facebook group, Team UFYH (official) which offers awesome, shame free group support.)
• Melissa Maker's video on maintenance has great tips on "keeping it up." She has videos for each room, I like to put one on while I'm cleaning! She also has one on getting motivated! 
• To assist yourself in being neater, hang a 50mm faceted leaded crystal sphere (Gwynne carries these in her online boutique)
• Take advantage of charity yard sales, and donate items (they'll often pick up)
• Houston Clutter Fairy, Gayle Goddard has a MeetUp and posts videos with monthly tips on tackling different areas. I was intrigued with her statistics on Boomers, and the number of us drowning on clutter! While we use technology, we often don't quote trust it, hence keeping paper etc we don't really need to!
• Compile list of daily, weekly and monthly basics in a way that works for you. 
• If you share a space, engage others in cleaning if you can, ... Clean anyway, if you can't! 
• If it starts to pile up again, pick a messy area and stare at it. Do nothing. Breathe. Stare at it. ...ideas may begin to percolate... Breathe. Stare at it, breathe. When you can hardly stand it, take another breath. Then dive in, using these tools!

Happy clearing! 

Home Blessing & Tuning Hour

Now that I'm home on Monday mornings, I have more time/energy for Fly Lady's 'Home Blessing Hour.' 

Fly Lady's list includes several things I don't have - a vacuum (only carpet is on the stairs, so I sweep with my beautiful broom) magazines (lots of books) .... 
As she suggests, I set the time for 15-20 minutes, & go through a round in each room (if there's more time/inclination, I'll do several rounds) & a 10-15 minute break after an hour. 
Another practice I wish to incorporate more is the 'Walk Through' My mom did this naturally ....On her blog 'Dragonflies & Me,' Jean writes: "The walk through is simply going through a room and picking up everything that is out-of-place AND putting it away where it belongs.  Simply eh?" (best done several times daily!)


Blessing Way 'Creating Holy Order'  - a process by which everything in your home supports & nurtures your essence

• Put on happy music, light a candle & some incense, brew some tea
• Kitchen: clear the counter, gather cloth, paper/books, sweep the floor
• Living room:  coffee table, piles, paper, clothes, sweep,
• Bathroom: swish & swipe (toilet, counters) clean mirror, clothes, sweep
• Break: Relax, admire, drink tea

• 2nd round: (you can cycle through several times, or stop at one!)
• Kitchen, Living Room, Laundry
• Break every hour for 10-15 minutes. You may wish to go outside & admire the day (yes, even if it's raining or blustery!) Open the doors & windows for a few minutes as well. If you have any rugs, take them out & give them a good shake or pop them in the wash.
• address: Paper, books, cloth, & gather garbage & recycling

• Round Three

• If you have a drum, rattle or bell, make a round through the rooms making some good noise! Take time to listen for shifts in the sound, & notice any corners that need attention.

Part two: Energetic Blessing - this is a lovely time to ground your home & property. If you didn't light a candle before, now is a good time to do this.

• Put a grounding cord on your home - imagine the 'footprint' of your home, now imagine a cord or tube reaching down into the crystal heart center of the earth, & connecting with it
• From your home's roofline, imagine the cord reaching into the heavens, up to the sun & beyond, to the central sun of the galaxy - we are poised between heaven & earth!
• Visualize a rose-gold sun in the centre of your home - let its light fill every corner! Allow this sun to continue expanding, till it surrounds your home.
• As the sun reaches the outside of your home or space, begin the 'Tune-up' process by invoking the devas, elementals & guides to Cleanse, Clear, Restore & Illuminate your home & grounds.
• Ask that any negativity move through a clearing grid, & the Violet flame * so the energy can be used as compost, burned in the sun, or 'return to sender.' (with no return address!) 
• Surround the cleared land with a violet bubble, a gold pyramid, Dolphin Star Temple, or a briar rose hedge (whichever image feels right to you - or one of your own!)

* Violet Flame: Picture a soothing flame, like a flame in a fireplace, but violet in colour. See it penetrating your very being and world. When you call forth the Violet Transmuting Flame, a flame comes from the hands, heart & head of your I AM presence / Christ Self - and as it touches the ground beneath your feet, it bursts into violet flame! You can also use the essences: Comfrey (Pattern repair) Violet & Lavender to help 'seal' the pattern.

Thank your guides & go on with your day.