{"id":7959,"date":"2015-01-15T19:24:59","date_gmt":"2015-01-15T18:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/?p=7959"},"modified":"2018-12-10T14:16:50","modified_gmt":"2018-12-10T13:16:50","slug":"detox-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/detox-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Detox your home"},"content":{"rendered":"

The excitement we felt at the dawn of the new year may have faded; the thrill already a few weeks old. Nevertheless, don\u2019t abandon your enthusiasm\u2014a new year calls for a clean slate! What better way is there to have a fresh start than by doing a thorough spring cleaning? Normally, the big \u2018spring clean\u2019, a long-standing and venerable tradition, occurs when the cold weather subsides and the sun starts to linger. Clearing out clutter and dust definitely makes life feel renewed, but why wait until spring?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many spring cleaning customs originated in Asia and Europe. According to Chinese tradition, thoroughly cleaning your home rids it of the bad luck from the past year and prepares it to receive the good luck sure to follow in the new one. The meaning behind doing a deep cleanse of your home transcends the actual hygiene of your house. It can also be considered as a mental or spiritual purification. In other words, it encourages the expulsion of certain past events and emotions, in order to make room for new experiences.<\/p>\n

In this article, I\u2019ll focus on the different ways of detoxing your home. I\u2019ll cover everything from cobweb removal to de-cluttering. Also, I will explain how to find good alternatives to chemical cleaning agents. Last but not least, I\u2019ll address how to make sure your personal spaces are perfectly balanced when it comes to allowing energy to flow freely, also known as Feng Shui.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

De-cluttering<\/h1>\n

I firmly believe in getting rid of needless objects in order to make much needed space in your home. This includes not only making physical space, but also letting go of those tainted sentimental items (i.e. finally throw away that raggedy sweater from an ex who brutally broke your heart years ago). Getting rid of unnecessary material objects can also have great emotional benefits.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s clothes you haven\u2019t worn in years, or a stack of paperwork you just keep piling up, never giving it a second glance, repeat this mantra: get rid of it, get rid of it all. Confession time: I have tons of clothes. I\u2019m one of those people that still have that green skirt that she bought at a vintage store twelve years ago. Despite the fact that I\u2019ve been wearing black and only black for years now, I hold on to the thought that one day I might like green again. Still, at least once a year, I dive into my closets (note that the plural there does make me feel a tad ashamed) and get rid of bags and bags of clothing, giving it away to friends and to those less fortunate.<\/p>\n

The next step is to take a good look at all your little nick-nacks and trinkets: do they really add anything to your life (apart from attracting more dust)? Don\u2019t get me wrong, I\u2019m not suggesting that you throw out all emotional keepsakes and travel souvenirs. Holding on to too many material objects can make a person feel smothered, rather than bring back good memories.<\/p>\n

Once you feel like you\u2019ve cleaned out more than you ever imagined that you could, it\u2019s time to take a deep breath and perhaps take a coffee break. Then, saddle right back up for part two: moving things around.<\/p>\n

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Let the good vibes in\u2014Feng Shui style<\/h1>\n

The principals of Feng Shui can be pretty complex, but here\u2019s a simplified explanation:\u00a0Feng Shui is a term composed of two Chinese words:\u00a0feng<\/em>\u00a0(wind) and\u00a0shui<\/em>\u00a0(water).<\/p>\n

In order to have good Feng Shui, the chi (energy) of your home should be able to flow freely and without inhibition. Think of the chi as a river. Can the river in your home flow freely from your front door to your bedroom, or will this flow be blocked by a gigantic couch or an awkwardly placed cabinet? The practice Feng Shui aims to examine how the placement of objects and furniture within a space effects the energy flow in your living environment. The meaning of this exercise lies in how spatial fluidity influences your personal energy flow.<\/p>\n

Here are a few quick tips for beginners:<\/strong><\/p>\n