Did you know clutter causes stress in your relationships, creates health challenges, blocks your abundance and your ability to think and act clearly at home and work? Clearing clutter in your home and workspace creates more than a peaceful, orderly environment. It will enhance success in all areas of your life.
WHAT IS CLUTTER
Clutter can be viewed as physical items that take up space that are either not needed or are unorganized. From an ancient Vedic perspective, physical congestion or blocks in an environment affects more than the serenity in a home or workspace. It actually affects you physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND CLUTTERS IMPACT
Scientists have conducted research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other physiological measurement tools to map the brain’s responses to organized and disorganized stimuli. Their research led to an article published in the Journal of Neuroscience, which concluded that if you want to focus to the best of your abilities and process information as effectively as possible, you need to clear clutter from your home and work environment. The research also proved that uncluttering and organizing your home and office will cause you to be less irritable, more productive and , distracted less often
THE VEDIC PERSPECTIVE
The Vedic science of environmental harmony, Vastu Shastra, identifies how clutter creates stress in an environment. Vastu comes from the same wisdom texts as Ayurveda, meditation, jyotish and yoga. We call Vastu “Yoga for the Home”. According to Vastu, stress caused by clutter reduces and/or restricts life-force energy. Depending on the area of your home or office, clutter impacts different aspects of your life in specific ways:
- Clutter in the northwest affects relationships, business partnerships and the stability of the mind.
- Clutter in the northeast blocks growth, both spiritually and financially.
- Clutter in the southeast affects health and productivity. It can also affects passion, creativity and your physical energy.
- Clutter in the southwest affects support, which includes your skeletal structure (showing up as back pain) and your career.
TAKE STEPS TO ELIMINATE CLUTTER
Here is a time-proven system for clearing clutter that will help you eliminate what is old, unnecessary, or doesn’t reflect who you are any longer to create better energy flow and help you feel more productive and less stressed.
- Begin with something small, like a drawer.
- Consider how much time it might take to complete the task and set a timer. Having a finite amount of time for the task will help you stay focused.
- Take everything out of the drawer and then create three plies:
– the first pile is to give away,
– the second pile is to throw away,
– the last pile is to keep. - Make sure you are keeping only what you want or need. Otherwise, place the item in one of the other two piles.
- Placing your kept items back in the drawer in an organized and easy-to-identify way is as important as deciding to keep them.
- After finishing this short project, take a moment and check how you feel inside. Put your hand on your heart and take several deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth to settle the mind. Taking the time to check-in with yourself allows you to experience the subtle energetic affect of clearing clutter.
Ask yourself: Do I feel lighter, calmer? Do I feel more energetic? Do I feel inspired to continue? - If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, consider moving on to the next drawer and eventually to bigger tasks like shelves, cabinets and closets. At this point, you may be ready to organize larger projects: the garage, your basement or a storage room.
- Keeping clutter under control is just as important as clearing it. Making sure you have a place for everything is the key to clutter control. Remember: mess causes stress.
Clearing clutter is something everyone has to deal with. From a Vedic perspective, once it is removed, it will free up the energy in your home or office making it an environment where you will thrive. Eliminating clutter simplifies your life and opens the space physically and emotionally for new possibilities to enter.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you might have. We are here to serve you. You can reach us at michaelmastrovastu@gmail.com.
Until next month, keep shining brightly! 
Robin
Robin Mastro is co-founder of Vastu Creations and the American Institute of Vastu – consultancy, design, and educational companies that focus on eliminating environmental stress for greater productivity, improved health and wellbeing. Robin has been a teacher of mediation and Vedic breathing for the Art of Living Foundation for over 25 years. Her research in accessing the power of altars in the Vedic tradition led her to study ancient cultures around the world and how they connected with unseen forces to support their daily lives. She has co-authored three award-winning books on Vastu with her husband, Michael: Altars of Power and Grace (Balanced Books Publishing, The Way of Vastu (Balanced Books Publishing), and Making Room for Mr. Right (Simon and Schuster/Atria). For decades, Robin has worked with students and clients to live healthier, more harmonious and productive lives. She is in service to others through her award-wining books, courses, and on-going offerings. She can be reached at robin@vastucreations.com.