In teaching my Conquering Clutter classes for the past four years, one of my steadfast rules has been “See it and Contain It”. That means to tame your clutter by setting limits. Recently I have met with several clients who are finding their collections getting out of control and asking for a solution. Let's take a look at the problem and follow up with the solution and tools for success.

The Problem: One of the definitions of clutter is “too much stuff in too small a space”. This is the problem for collectors whose collections – antiques, dolls, books, baseball caps, you name it – get piled on shelves and in corners, packed into stacks of boxes or stuffed in closets and stashed on every available surface. Like my clients, you discover that you have less time to manage all of it, much less the time to truly enjoy it. You can't find what you're looking for, it's disorganized, and you find yourself habitually adding more.

In her book Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, Karen Kingston says “when we feel moved to collect a particular type of thing, what we are in fact doing is responding to an intuitive need to gather a particular type of essence that we need for our personal growth. The art of understanding collections is to find out why you are doing it, learn from it, and move on.” To better understand your desire to collect, ask yourself these questions.

1. How did I get started collecting this/these item (s)?
2. What is it about this 'collection' that fascinates, interests, calls to me?
3. How does this collection make me feel? What emotional, spiritual, physical, mental need does it meet?
4. How much time each day/week do I spend looking at, actually touching, enjoying/ playing with my collection?
5. Is my goal collecting or is there a purpose or use for what I'm collecting?

Depending on your answers to the above questions, you may find you've become so accustomed to your collection that you now take it for granted. On the other hand, perhaps you enjoy some of it quite regularly, but because of its size, taking time to rotate the pieces and take pleasure in all of it is unmanageable. Or maybe you're so used to collecting for collecting sake that whenever you see an item in a shop or on your travels, you automatically buy it without even thinking.

Solution: Set boundaries.

• Decide how your collection is enhancing your life. Be honest with yourself. If it has lost its appeal, acknowledge the fact. If you're no longer sure how it affects you, discuss your collection with a trusted friend, family member or objective professional.
• How much is enough? How much of your collection do you actually need to experience the pleasure of it? Determine a maximum number you can manage or display and then sell, donate, and let go of the pieces that are not as special or valuable until you get to your boundary number.

Tools for Success A recent client collects fashion dolls. While she loves them, our boundary discussion was aimed at determining the maximum number she could manage and enjoy – perhaps 37 of her most special dolls instead of 137 – letting go of those with less charm or interest.

For my clients who collect items stored on shelves (books, embroidery cards, DVDs, CDs), set your boundary at the number of shelves devoted to each genre or category. When the shelf is full you must make room for the new by letting go of the old (eBay, sell, donate – no adding more shelf space!)

The same goes for saving sentimental items. Set your boundaries. How much physical space are you willing to devote to yearbooks, football jerseys, Grandma's eyeglasses, your children's baby clothes? Determine the maximum amount of space – a chest of drawers, a closet, a 25 gallon plastic tub – and then hold fast to your boundaries. No adding more space to accommodate new items – review the value of saved items and replace more cherished things with those that, over time, have become less important.

Note: If this collection is for investment purposes (stamps; designer glass or porcelain e.g. Lladro, depression glass; rare or comic books; coins) consider the following guidelines for avoiding and conquering clutter.

• How much space do you need to accommodate your collection? Do you have to pay for space? Is it worth it?
• Are you reviewing your collection regularly? Are you keeping it organized and clean? Are you labeling and managing your collection in a professional manner?
• When was the last time you had your collection appraised to determine its “real” value?
• What is your objective? Do you want to pass the collection to your heirs or buy low and sell high to give a cash gift to heirs?

“Organized people are too lazy to look for things.” –a clutterer in denial on Dr. Phil 8/30/2005

Feng Shui – wind and water – encourages us to be in harmony with the cycles of nature. Labor Day weekend signals the close of one season – the Fire element of summer – and ushers in the Earth element of late summer . Consider these changes to balance and harmonize your space in readiness for the Earth cycle when the fields and leaves turn yellow. Earth harmonizes everything and encourages stability, centering, and grounding.

Add Earth colors. Paint or add accessories in yellow, browns, beiges, terra cotta, earth tones to your environment. Arrange bright yellow or rich rust colored mums in an earthenware or pottery vase.

Add Earth elements (natural fibers). Replace worn towels with fluffy 100% cotton towels. Make your bed with sumptuous Egyptian cotton sheets. Grace your table with a linen tablecloth. Place a thick cotton rug at the side of your bed.

Add Earth shapes (square). Square candles, vases, framed art, a side table. Perhaps a square rug or linens or towels with square designs.

Choose Earth foods. Eat foods that are growing close to the Earth and are ready for harvest: Yellow squash, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots.

Remember that balance is everything in Feng Shui. Don't overdue the squares as Mrs. Ch'i LOVES curves and rounds and meanders more easily without too many right angles. Use the squares as visual reminders of your intention for grounding and stabilizing.

“A year ago in June, I put my house on the market in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and after 24 years moved back home to Colorado. I had no trouble getting a great job and immediately purchased a new home in Frederick, just north of Denver. While the housing market is not great in Scottsbluff, my house was located in a good part of town, and I had worked very hard getting it ready for sale. After painting, decorating, weeding the gardens, cleaning carpets, and upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms, I was certain it would sell within a few months. A year later, lowering the price every few months, and two mortgage payments squeezing my belt tighter and tighter, I had to do something. I called Kathie and asked her if she had any Feng Shui ideas. She sent me a Saint Joseph Home Seller kit. Unbelievably, my house sold in two weeks. I should have called her sooner. Thank you, Kathie, for your advice and support in helping me sell my house the Feng Shui way.” --Lori Burkey, Executive Director, CASA Colorado

“When I remarried last fall, we decided to live in my wife's home and sell my home in Parker. Although it had not been updated in many years, it was a 4000 square foot home, in good shape, on acreage, with tons of potential. I put my house on the market in October 2004 and had no offers and very few people looking. After 8 months, I talked to Kathie about Feng Shui cures for selling my home. She sent a Saint Joseph Home Seller kit on July 8. Unbeknownst to me, my realtor had buried a Saint Joseph the week before. We got an offer the next day and closed on August 12. I appreciate Kathie's recommending the Saint Joseph Feng Shui cure.” --Ken Villyard, Retired, Longmont, Colorado