We have the pleasure of hosting April Gallagher on the first Monday of every month for a class on Simple Living. April is a professional organizer and a certified Feng Shui professional and she is amazing.
Last month and this month, April taught about – hold your breath – Clutter! Yea baby, that means you! Very few of us escape the issue of clutter. Our lives in California are so affluent compared to the rest of the world, and clutter is often a by-product of that affluence. I don’t think I have one friend who has not had to deal with the problem of clutter.
If the issues around clutter were simply about keeping up with being tidy, we wouldn’t keep accumulating more clutter and feeling aversion to the disaray in our living spaces. In truth, we hold an energetic attachment to everything in our living space. And energetically clutter begets more clutter. Our external world reflects our internal world. Clutter equals resistance, and clearing that cutter creates more space and new opportunities.
April had us walk mentally through our houses, writing down the areas of clutter that affect us the most. She encouraged us to start with the smallest on the list, not the biggest. Learning to deal with clutter is like building a muscle, it takes time.
Last month during class, I had an epiphany when April said “Creating clutter is just delayed decision making.” That has been going through my mind this month every time I’m about to set down papers on top of a pile, or throw my clothes on the floor. Make the decision NOW. It has brought me into the present moment over and over every time I shift my energy into decisions as small as wear to set my plate or shoes or calendar. It has given me so much more power in my life. One small, simple thing has made such a difference – decide now!
Yesterday, April led us into the world of clutter and Feng Shui. She introduced the concepts of energetic patterns within the house, what they mean and how to work with your space to create more harmony and balance.
I can’t wait for next month, we’re learning about organization!
