A Fresh Start for Lunar New Year
Gung hay fat choy!
These are the Cantonese words people will say on February 1, the beginning of 2022’s lunar new year. They mean, “Wishing you great happiness and prosperity.”
This lunar year is the ‘Year of the Water Tiger’. Tigers are bold, while water can wash away what is no longer needed—and so the ‘water tiger year’ is a perfect time to boldly wash away clutter from your home!
How to Declutter
Most people want their home to be their sanctuary. Too much clutter confuses the senses, causing anxiety and impacting wellbeing; however, getting rid of things can seem overwhelming—after all, our possessions often hold significance for us.
Here are general rules to help you declutter.
Begin with:
• Spaces that greet you when you enter your home.
• Spaces where you spend the most time.
Remove:
• Things you don’t like.
• Broken items that can’t be fixed.
• Things you use less than once a year.
• Items with questionable usefulness.
Feng Shui
Feng shui, the Chinese practice of directing energy to harmonize surroundings, holds that clearing clutter creates space for good luck to enter the home. Whether you believe this or not, it’s true that a decluttered home feels serene and welcoming … and cuts down on endless ‘tidying up’!
Calm (yin) spaces are important for recharging personal energy, so treat yourself by first decluttering rooms you retreat to, such as your bedroom or bathroom. Since tigers love water and are excellent swimmers, think about turning your bathroom into a haven. Sort out your cupboards, and remove old cosmetics and soaps. Buy new towels and a matching bathmat. The difference will surprise you!
Next, focus on activity (yang) spaces where you entertain or spend time with family. Ask yourself, is the couch too big? Do people ever sit in the wingback chair? Adjusting furniture size and placement can create a lighter-feeling, more harmonious space.
Emotional Attachment
Decluttering can be emotional. Often, it’s difficult to differentiate between items you love versus those you feel loyal to because they remind you of your past. Here are rules for ‘de-emotionalizing’ decluttering:
Clear out things that remind you of:
• A painful relationship, event or time.
• Past failure.
If you still struggle with letting go, try figuring out why. Journaling or talking with a sympathetic friend can help. Ask yourself, “Why am I hanging onto this?”
Donate or Sell
Disposing of things is often the most difficult part of decluttering. People pack them up and then store them in garages and basements, to deal with later. Permanently let go as soon as you can. Remind yourself that the item will get a new life with someone who will use it. If you are donating, think of the people who will benefit from your generosity.
Enjoy Peace
Your surroundings impact your state of mind. This year, let your bold tiger self wash away what no longer serves you, and enjoy the peace that letting go brings.
Karen Horte, DID
karenhorteinteriors.ca
Instagram: @karenhorteinteriors
