Before we know it, 2019 is coming to an end.

For some of us who have made amazing progress both in work and life, this year has been a good one – while for others, times were tough. Nevertheless, this has helped us become more resilient as we look forward to 2020.

The year-end is usually a great time to slow down a bit and reflect on what we went through in recent months. What went well, what did not go too well and how can we improve on it in the future.

The Fengshui take on decluttering

Research has proven that ridding ourselves of negative thoughts can do wonders for the quality of our lives.  Sometimes, it is good to take a step back and ensure we declutter the negative experiences and thoughts we had accumulated so that we are ready to embrace the great things that are coming our way.

Likewise, in FengShui’s beliefs, we believe that having a clean and well-kept environment maximises our living space and helps to improve the flow of energy in the house. Clutter also act as obstacles that prevent us from moving forward.

Cluttering of items can also cause potential health hazards, especially those with young children. They can get hurt by the sharp edges of items while playing and for those with children who have allergies, living in a cluttered environment can increase the collection of dust and mould over time.

Let’s take the first step to turn things around by decluttering our lives and homes. Here, we share some easy ways for you to get started.

Tips to help you declutter and start anew

Think before you buy

If you find yourself contemplating and hesitating before buying something, chances are, you might not really need the item after all. Always think before buying, as the last thing you want is to buy something, only to have the item stashed in your storage box. Use this opportunity to teach your children the virtue of saving their pocket money and only buy things that are necessary.

Sell off or bless what you don’t need

Sometimes, you decide to keep some items, especially clothes, as you find it a waste to just throw them away – yet they remain untouched for the longest time.

Do an audit of the items you own, and for those that you are highly unlikely to use or wear, you can step up and do a good deed by selling it via a second-hand platform or blessing it away to those who need it more. Get your children involved so that they can appreciate how blessed they are.

Declutter regularly

Decluttering is a long-term commitment and not a one-time effort. Schedule a decluttering exercise once every three months. Dust would have accumulated by the time we do our housekeeping before the New Year. Set a timetable and get your children to participate in this bonding activity.

Act on it – now!

The last rule of decluttering is to not procrastinate and get moving, quick.

Don’t let that same pile of stuff sit at that corner of the house again. If they need to be thrown away, do it immediately. If they are in good condition to be blessed, start contacting various social help groups and don’t let them sit there for another year.

Make it your priority to complete the decluttering exercise you started.

When you get to decluttering your life and living space, you’ll find that extra space for yourself, which helps you develop a new perspective of life. In the long run, this helps to make room for new relationships to develop, and of course, a more healthy and harmonious living environment for your family.

 Ken Lim is a consultant in the art of Chinese metaphysics who specialises in residential FengShui, Destiny Reading, Date selection, Divination and Naming.