Guest Author - Diane Kern

Everyone always wants more storage space in their home, office or garage. The problem has become so bad that people are renting off site storage sheds and “pods” to store their excess belongings. We now have closet organizers that utilize every spare inch of space, under bed storage solutions, rafter hangers for storage in the garage, and bins that attach to cubicle walls. But do you really need more storage space or do you need to reconsider just how much stuff you need?

If you are filling every closet, drawer, pantry, bookcase chock full you may be missing out on some opportunities. In Feng Shui and in life we like to be open to new opportunities. If you life is filled to the brim you leave yourself no room, no options and may lose out on many wonderful options. Qi can not flow and bring fresh new energy through spaces that are blocked. The area becomes stagnant, to say nothing of trying to keep it cleaned and organized.

Do not hang things like clothing hooks or shelves on the back of doors especially your entry doors. This creates a heavy feeling and can actually cause the doors to work less well. Speaking of shelves do not place shelves above you doorway or above your bed. There is a practical aspect to this as well. If the shelves are dislodged you could end up with a nasty concussion. But the feng shui concern is that they create a downward pressure on you when you walk through the door or are sleeping in your bed. This can cause headaches, and confusion.

Since we are in the bedroom do not store anything under your bed. If you must then let it be only clean bed linens. Make sure there is still “breathing room” between the storage and your bed. When you are sleeping you want a balanced flow of qi circulating smoothly around you.

Closets next. If you have not worn something for a year you probably won’t wear it again. If it is good condition donate it to a good cause. The non profit Dress For Success is a good place to donate professional work clothes. http://www.dressforsuccess.org. Get rid of your run down shoes and put shoe fresheners in the shoes you are keeping. It is not pleasant to open your closet and be confronted with the odor of smelly shoes. Don’t buy something new unless you have made room by discarding something else first.

Next time kitchens, office and basements.