Happy after-Thanksgiving Feng Shui Friday.  I trust your day was filled with much gratitude: friends, family, food, tradition, and togetherness.  This week as I was taking a break from business and tech projects, I cleaned out some closets and drawers while preparing for our Thanksgiving Day family dinner.

Because I've been focusing on clearing the clutter the last several weeks, I'm reminded "you can't take it with you".  There is no U-Haul behind the hearse. Letting go of stuff you do not love, use, or need makes room for great feng shui...balance, harmony, and positive chi energy everywhere.  Here's how easy it is to make room for good feng shui.

November 14 was the DTC-CBW annual Non-Profit Panel program introducing members and guests to three local non-profit organizations.  Each representative shared her organization's mission, success stories, and areas of most need.  I was inspired by Family Tree's Treasure Trunk Thrift Store and decided to clean out some closets and drawers and donate items to them.  

1.  24/7.  One of the easiest ways to clear clutter is to do it conjunction with an event or do a little every day. While getting out the napkins and tablecloths for Thanksgiving dinner, I gathered  dozens of place mats, cloth napkins, tablecloths and runners I've not used in years., laundered them and got them ready for charity.  Next time you're looking for something in a desk drawer, a file drawer, a utensil drawer, or linen cabinet remove the stuff that doesn't work, fit, or you don't use or need anymore and let it go.

2. Old is new again.  We watch our grand children two afternoons a week and a I decided to clean them out before they came over this week. I cleared off an entire shelf of stuff that was broken or had missing parts. I found some 'lost' parts for games hidden in other boxes and pulled things from the back of the closet forward.  They thought they had all new toys.  You can do the same thing with your shoes, handbags, and clothing, dishes, CDs, movies, and books.  You'll be amazed at what you've tucked away that is back in style, handy, and fun. And toss the stuff that is not.

3.   Simplify.  There was a guy on ABC news the other night talking 'tongue-in-cheek' about Thanksgiving prep and the part I remember was no one is allowed to bring an appetizer.  He said he wasn't about to put all this great food on the table and then have no one hungry because they were eating a bunch of stuff before dinner.  Too often we jump into the details and forget about the reason for the season.  Over the past couple years our family has decided we only needed our 'traditional Thanksgiving foods' and gave up salads and relish plates and appetizers and chips and dips. Decide what makes the holidays special for you and then simplify.  Don't fill up on the details and miss the exquisite main course.

This week consider getting rid of  stuff you can't take with you.  The drawers are easier to close. The closets look happy and manageable when you open the door. Celebrate with me the smiling faces and less stuffed places. Happy de-cluttering.