Soulful Ways to Clean Clutter

o you often get weighed down by the stress of living in an unorganized environment? It doesn't have to be that way. Every culture has its own way of getting organized, but unfortunately too many Americans see getting organized as throwing excess items in the closet, under the bed, or down in the basement. Older cultures rely on simplicity and comfort when striving for order. If you take some hints from Vastu (a practice in India which helps you determine which objects in your life are clutter), Wabi-Sabi (a Japanese philosophy of simplicity), and Feng Shui (the Chinese art of living in harmony with your environment) you will see you can find order, ease tension, and feel better at the same time. What could be better than that?

Defining Clutter: The Vastu Way

"Physical clutter creates mental clutter, which leads to stress and tension," says Kathleen Cox, author of Vastu Living (Marlowe) and Power of Vastu Living  (Fireside).  "Clutter is harmful to our health. Vastu helps you determine where the clutter is in your life. Anything that does not connect to who you are, what you love or what you do, and anything that doesn't serve an ongoing utilitarian function, is clutter. It's wasting valuable space."

In your own home:

• Stop and look at every object in every room. Can you actually describe its special meaning to you or how it fits into your life or the life of someone who lives in your home? "If you draw a blank, the object in question is clutter. Recycle it or toss it out," says Cox. 

• Do you have objects that are meaningful to you haphazardly placed in a room so that they look like clutter to a stranger? "If your answer is yes, re-organize them," encourages Cox. 
  
• Think about honoring the occupant of each room. "For example, the nursery is about the needs of the baby," says Cox. "It's the baby's room, not your room. Set up your child's room according to your child's legitimate needs."

Aiming for Simplicity: The Wabi-Sabi Way

Wabi-Sabi focuses on beauty and simplicity. Wabi-Sabi followers take time to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of natural design, and to know that their home doesn't need perfection to bring joy, says Jeanette Fisher, an expert in environmental and design psychology, Wabi-Sabi and Feng Shui.  She also teaches classes on making over your home for happiness.

In your own home:

• Start by paring down on accessories and getting rid of unnecessary furnishings, says Fisher. For example, "Fewer or no sofa pillows give young children less to throw around." 
  
• Don't worry about displaying possessions. Only keep those accessories that support positive memories.

• Use fresh tree cuttings for decorations.  "You'll be teaching your children to respect the earth and saving money too," says Fisher.

Keeping Energy Flowing: Feng Shui

Similar to Wabi-Sabi, Feng Shui followers also practice the art of simplicity. "Feng Shui practitioners believe that clutter stops the flow of energy," says Fisher.

In your own home:

• Get rid of mountains of papers by developing your own filing system and purchasing some storage bins.
  
• Do dishes as soon as you dirty them.
  
• Have a place for every article of clothing in your home -- that means room in a closet or drawer when they are clean and space in a hamper of some sort when they are dirty. 
        

Once you've gotten rid of the excess and disorder in your home, you will be amazed by how much better you and your family feel -- and look!
 
Margit Ragland, a freelance writer, is trying to get organized before the arrival of her first child.