By Susan Levitt

Happy New Year! Out with the old to make way for new growth!

New Year is a time for a new life cycle. Out with the old and in with the new! But so many of us hang onto old, worn out, and never used things. And this unused old stuff creates clutter. Creating clutter and little messes in your home can create messes in love, in money, in finances, and every other area of your life.

Clutter is the biggest problem that I see when I do feng shui consultations. One of the biggest misconceptions of feng shui is that it’s mostly about rearranging furniture. While feng shui can involve moving your furniture, the number one problem is just too much stuff  — not a chair blocking a room’s entry.

This New Year, give some attention to the feng shui balance of your front door, kitchen, bedroom, and bath. Clean them up to usher in brand new energy and experiences as we move into the New Year:

Front Door

The front door is important in feng shui. This is where energy enters and leaves your house, and is your gateway to the outside world. Your front door is where you welcome friends, arrive from a long commute, or say goodbyes to loved ones. Keep your entrance bright and inviting. Porch lights should be in good working condition, and the front stoop or porch should be swept clean now. Always make sure all the knobs, locks, and hardware work perfectly. If dirty, clean or replace. Any clutter at your doorway or entrance? Now is the time to get rid of it. And if that welcome mat has worn out its welcome, then replace it for the New Year.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is the place to make food, and food is an important part of Chinese medicine. Your stove’s fire can be a representation of the energy in your life. So get cooking! Always keep your stove clean with no grease. Use non-toxic cleaners to keep chemicals away from your food. Try rotating the use of your burners, allowing for an even distribution of opportunity in your life. This New Year, remove kitchen clutter of old or stale food, and all the other kitchen things that you know you won’t ever get around to using in 2012.

Bedroom

Where you sleep has a tremendous impact on your life. Restful sleep is important to health and healing. Your bedroom is a place for sleep and rest, so it’s best that your bedroom is used for rest and sexual activities. You shouldn’t be watching TV, working, or playing music in the bedroom (unless the music is soft and soothing). So keep the clutter out of the bedroom! And no clutter stashed under your bed.

Bathroom

The energy in your bathroom is constantly being washed, flushed, dripped and carried away. You want to keep energy flowing in the bathroom, not blocked by clutter. The bathroom can be the place for collecting all kinds of potions, cosmetics, and toiletries. Take the time to clean out and recycle all the bathroom junk. Then you can add some color to keep your bathroom vibrant and full of life. Also, remember to keep the toilet seat lid closed and keep the bathroom door closed to keep the bathroom energy contained. Yes, men and boys can be taught behavior modification about this one. 

Happy New Year!