If you’re like me, a reformed clutterer, we typically set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, imagining that we can accomplish much more than is possible. This month, give yourself the gift of love and gratitude. Celebrate your accomplishments.

When my Aunt passed away, my husband and I, as her personal representatives, were responsible for disposing of 85 years’ of lifetime acquisitions. I struggled not to bring it all home with me. An enormous amount was given to charity and to family members but so much was left. I brought home more and more. I found I needed her things in my physical space and was not ready for the ‘letting go’. As the months went by, it became easier to toss and donate. Now, 18 months later, only the very special items remain – those that lift my energy and make me smile thinking of her.

Remember that clearing clutter is a process. Large or small, whatever you have cleaned out, gotten rid of, and organized this year is cause for celebration. Pat yourself on the back in a loving way and say ‘thank you’ for your ability to let go and move forward into a simpler, less cluttered future. Use these tips to continue your de-cluttering in 2006.

Tip One: Clearly see your vision – your goal – for the future. What will de-cluttering make room for? Painting? Time with your children/grandchildren? A move? Travel? Keeping that vision in mind, dump, donate, and sell everything you do not love, use, or need and watch the results! Time, money, energy, improved health and attitude are awaiting you after every de-cluttering session.

Tip Two: Schedule regular de-cluttering sessions. Keep them short and in do-able amounts of time. Minutes are o.k. You are the only one who makes a rule that de-cluttering is a 3-hour or 3-day job. Work on the same area every day at the same time (e.g. 8 to 8:30 a.m.) until finished.

Tip Three: Clear space. Before you can review and purge, you will want to clear ALL papers from the top of your desk and put them into one box. Or put everything in the guest room or dining room into tubs or cartons and stack them in the garage or basement. Creating sacred or special space opens the way to renewed energy. Promise yourself not to put anything in your cleared space. Then bring out one box at a time and review and purge at your regularly scheduled de-cluttering session.

When you’re ready for the next big de-clutter step, you’ll recognize it and head in that direction. Keep up the good work. Happy New Year!

You can create more harmony and rapport among your guests at this year’s holiday dinner by determining each guest’s auspicious direction. Then seat them around the dinner table according to at least one of their four auspicious directions. Seat each guest FACING their auspicious direction. If more than one guest’s most auspicious direction is northwest, for instance, seat the most difficult guest (Uncle Harry? Your mother-in-law?) first, then use the second auspicious direction for the other guest. (Note: If your guest’s birthday is in January or February, you must refer to the Lunar Calendar at “Dear Mrs. Ch’i” at www.simplifiedinteriors.com for special instructions.)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Take the LAST TWO DIGITS of each person’s birth year
2. Add the numbers together
3. Reduce the number to ONE digit (if necessary)
4. Females: Add 5 to your number and reduce to ONE digit
5. Males: Subtract your number from 10

Example: Birth year 1968

• Add last TWO DIGITS = 6 + 8 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5
• Females add 5 = 5 + 5 = 10 = 1 + 0 = 1 = SE, E, S, N
• Males subtract from 10 = 10 - 5 = 5 = NE, W, NW, SW

Auspicious Directions in Descending Order (the first direction listed is the most auspicious direction)

• 1 SE, E, S N
• 2 NE, W NW, SW
• 3 S, N, SE, E
• 4 N, S, E, SE
• 5 MEN: NE, W, NW, SW
• 5 WOMEN: SW, NW, W, NE
• 6 W, NE, SW, NW
• 7 NW, SW, NE, W
• 8 SW, NW, W, NE
• 9 E, SE, N, S

As you head into 2006 on your next de-clutter project, do you need refresher information? No need to print copies and create clutter. Head straight to www.simplifiedinteriors.com and check out the archives of past e.newsletters.

• De-Clutter to De-Stress your Holidays – October 2005 and November 2005
• Setting Boundaries to Help you De-Clutter – September 2005
• Hobby and Craft De-Clutter Solutions – July 2005
• Information Irene tells how to de-clutter paper – June 2005
• The Clutter Feng Shui Connection – February 2005
• And More!