Letting Go of Clutter
In 1996, I attended my first Spaceclearing workshop with Karen Kingston www.spaceclearing.com, after she published her book “Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui”.
I soon realised that my life long passions for clearing clutter and rearranging furniture were in fact part of the ancient art of Feng Shui!
Since attending Karen’s workshops, I have included her Spaceclearing rituals as part of my own self healing regime.
Salt Cleansing
My top tip for helping you to release clutter is to cleanse your home with salt, preferably natural sea salt.
Let me explain:
Salt helps lift the energy or CHI in a room. If you put a small dish of salt in any room for a few days, you will almost certainly get the urge to clear out clutter!
Please discard the salt down your sink or toilet afterwards.
In the aftermath of a salt cleanse, you will probably release:
- Clothes you no longer wear,
- Clothes you are going to slim into,
- Old Christmas cards, Birthday cards, paper files, computer clutter….
- Unessesary memorabilia,
- Objects with sad memories,
- Gifts you do not like, but still display rather than offend the giver,
- Excess furniture that impedes movement in a room…
Letting Go of Clutter
When you let go of clutter:
- The energy or CHI in the room will feel lighter,
- You will feel lighter and more uplifted,
- You may feel compelled to release more belongings in other rooms,
- This will invite new CHI into the whole of your home,
- The CHI in your body will move more freely,
- Thus, your health and well being will improve,
- You will have more clarity,
- You will embrace new beginnings and positive change…
I usually do a salt cleanse every New Years Eve, and at regular intervals as necessary – perhaps six times per year.
If you are in the process of moving home, it is an ideal time to do a salt cleanse and a clutter clear out.
Please note: Professional Spaceclearing is a skill that takes many years of committed training. However, clearing clutter can be practised by everyone and is a very useful tool for self healing.
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
She lives in Donegal, Ireland – an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Categories: Feng Shui
absolutely true-though I didn’t know about the salt-sure will tell some friends that struggle with clutter-thank you!
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It works a treat!
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Oh wow. I am totally doing the salt thing! I first read Karen Kingston’s book in 1996. Life changing! Here is a post I recently wrote about one of the benefits of de-cluttering. https://clothesstories.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/sade-in-my-day/ Thanks for a great post!
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You are most welcome. I will go read your post now. Have a great day.
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I love the salt cleanse thanks for sharing that, I’m going to buy some sea salt and do it. I too have a passion for keeping rooms clutterless, but somehow clutter seems to creep in here and there and the new year is the perfect time to clear things out. I just got rid of a lot of clothes but my cellar could use a cleansing!! Have a wonderful day Brigid! xo
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Good luck Deb. Wishing you a clutter free cellar. xx
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Now that would be wonderful!! 😉 xo
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Sorry I haven’t been able to sit down and read your book yet, my plan is that once I get through January with work, as I am working weekends too, I am dedicating February to reading it. I am going to print it out to make it easier for me. It’s giving me something to look forward too…hope it’s doing well!! xo
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I hope you like it Deb. xx
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I’m sure I will!! I’ve started it and enjoyed what I’ve read so far..I can’t believe you saw Tom Jones…ha I remember when he was such a heart-swoon!! What fun. 🙂
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He is still HOT !😊
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Lol!! 🙂
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What is N.B.Discard?
I have salt in my room to get rid of a banging ghost, which works by the way. I didn’t realize the other cleansing effect!
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N.B. is short for please note..
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Who knew??? Ha!
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I have changed it in case others did not know…😊
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Oo thanks for this. I have become quite good at decluttering. But didnt know about salt clearing. If we cant get sea salt …table salt or … does have to be a certain amount of salt?
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I like using sea salt but table salt is fine. I find even a small amount does the trick – say a tablespoon in a dish for each room. Let me know how it goes. x
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I think this should be something like a ritual.
In India on Full Moon days we do this. On the day everything looks so clean and tidy. As you have said it there is more room for fresh air and other energies to enter and take the place.
👌👍🙏
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Thank you Shiva. I knew they did these rituals in Bali but I did not know you did them in India.😊
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I have literally felt the release from decluttering, and I know it release energy. I didn’t know the affects from salt and will try this. Thanks for providing valuable and insightful information in this post.
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My pleasure. Let me know how you find the salt cleanse. 😊
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Cool Brigid, this is interesting. I sorta knew that about salt and not exactly. 😊 Do you recommend a particular brand?
So love connecting with you. You have such a great presence. Love, Debbie
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Aw thanks Debbie. I love connecting with you too. I like to use seasalt but if you want to use ordinary that’s OK. I like to check labels and make sure it is unadulterated 😊😍😍
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OK thanks Brigid! 🙂 🙂 Good to know 🙂
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Never done this salt cleanse even though I’ve stumbled across an article about it sometime in the past. Now I’m going to bookmark this in my DIY for January. Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Let me know how it goes Jacqueline. I love finding out how people benefit. 😍
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Thanks for this post Brigid. I SO need to declutter!! We have out own clutter but also lots from my late Mum’s house too …. I’ll keen to try the salt cleanse 🙂 I’ve noticed in the past what a huge difference having a declutter has on my state of mind and creativity. It makes sense as it leaves space for new “things” to come in.
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The salt should help Judith. It is not easy releasing your mum’s belongings. You might find some good flower essences to help. Be gentle with yourself. xx
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Thanks – it’s gradually getting easier. Flower essences and going slowly is working well. Thank you 🙂 xx
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My mom does this and she asked me to do the same. ☺
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Give it a try. It brings in new energy and new beginnings. 😊
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Will do! ☺
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I really need to do this.
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Good luck with it.😊
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I always do a declutter at New Year, but I haven’t heard of the salt ritual. I’ve heard of burning sage. I manage to sort out clothes, shoes, books etc., but I am totally stuck with all the stuff I collect for craft work and all the bags, tissue paper and bubble wrap I can’t bear to just throw away and we reuse for selling things on Ebay, but it’s taking over! Also, we have become a repository for not only our children’s keepsakes but also family heirlooms that no-one wants after we’re gone but no-one can bear to part with! I will try the salt.
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You can salt cleanse and smudge for a really deep clearout but I tend to one or the other now. I have had some quite cathartic clearouts over the years!
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😊❤️
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I love your ideas and will try the salt in the room. I am writing a blog about doing some decluttering in life as well.
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Thank you so much. Let me know how you get on.
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Well your little bowls of salt are working their magic in our home this year! All cupboards and wardrobes have been emptied and sorted and all manner of things have departed either for recycling or the charity shop. I should have taken a photo of all the bags of paper/bubblewrap etc. Even halved it still fills a compartment of a cupboard! The hardest things to let go of are our children’s things. They have so many memories. But thank you, for giving me a nudge 😊🙌🏻💜
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Goodness that is a great result! I keep a memory drawer for special keepsakes… Let me know what happens next.
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Even though I am always letting go of clutter, I’m open to doing more and will definitely try the salt cleanse!
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Great. Please let me know how you go.
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Will do!
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Thank you for sharing the link. Glad you got through it all. I will be interested to read what new beginnings flow for you …
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I’m a big believer in feng shui but I’ve never done a salt cleansing. I will definitely put this on my to do list for this month. Maybe even tomorrow! Thanks so much Brigid. xo
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I always get great feedback when people try it for the first time. It helps even if you have a hoarder in the house…
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I’m definitely trying it.
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This is very interesting. Will try the salt cleansing. 🙂
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It can often have miraculous results Nikki if you have a hoarder in the house.😊
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My son has SO much stuff. Maybe this will help him. 😉 I shared this post in my Posts of Note today. 🙂
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Thank you Nikki. Let me know how it goes. 😊
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Thanks for the inspiration to continue to purge unneeded items from my home. This process does always create new energy and a calmer atmosphere.
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Thank you Ali. It is such a simple tool for self healing.😊
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Thanks Ali. Salt cleansing is such a simple tool but it works…😊
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I read about this post over on Miriam’s Out an’ About blog and was planning to check it out and then today I read it on Nikki’s Post of Note over at her Flying Through Water blog. I’m so glad that I made it here to read. I need to find some little bowls and get on this! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. Let me know how you find it. It is often miraculous…
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ABSOLUTELY!
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😊
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I’m glad I found your blog. I need to de-clutter in the worst way. Clutter makes me nervous and feel “closed in”. We have one of the salt crystal lamps and it does make a room feel so much cleaner.
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Thanks Ron. I hope you can get a boost to clear your clutter. It feels so much better when you let it go.
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Hi Ron,
Just cleared some stuff in my bedroom which was giving me a claustrophobic feeling so can identify with your feelings of nervousness. A salt lamp sounds interesting.
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Hi Ron,
Revisiting post & have purchased a small plug in Himalayan salt night lamp on amazon. I have it on during the day, it feels quite welcoming on these dark December days. Thanks for the idea.
Will buy a larger one when I have more time.
Happy new year
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When I saw the title I knew I was going to like this post, I was not disappointed. I’d never heard of the salt cleanse but it sounds like it’s worth investigating. There’s nothing like the feeling of a clean, decluttered space. Thank you for sharing these tips.
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Thanks Steph. It is well worth doing. You will clear even more from your closets. 😉 Happy Easter.
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I totally agree with your encouraging and inspiring words, Brigid and that is the real way to remove the clutter from your mind and to live a happy, cheerful life. Thanks for the awesome share.
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My pleasure Kamal. It seemed a shame not to share it again. 🌼
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Oh yes you must share such positive pointers they are so inspiring, Brigid. Welcome dear.
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How important is it that it be sea salt, Brigid. I’d like to do this but only have iodized or kosher salt on hand. I try to stay on top of clutter but it has been creeping into my home and I feel restless.
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Its ok to use other salt Molly. Let me know how it goes. 🌼
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Just visited kitchen Molly and I seem to have a salt grinder of sea salt & a box of rock salt. Will use some sea salt today for my bedroom as I have time today to clear the remaining items etc in this room. Will save the rock salt for other rooms to be done at another time. All good fun 🙂
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Brigid this is a fantastic post. I am feeling the weight of clutter. I am going to try this. I am definitely going to do this is my office today. So inspiring! 😊💗
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Thank you Lisa. It really works! Popping over to you later. The pictures from todays posts are not loading well at the moment. We have a big storm here. 🌼
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Hope no damage Brigid.
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Thanks Margaret. Thank goodness everything is looking ok. It was a very bad storm. Glad its gone.
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I love decluttering and downsizing, it’s very therapeutic – I just wish I was better at preventing it from accumulating in the first place. ☺
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😁 I am rather good at it now but maybe too good at times. Some things I wish I had kept… 🌼
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Same here Brigid
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Beautifully inspiring post, Brigid. I could definitely put these tips to good use.
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Thank you Jennifer. I hope the salt helps. 🌼
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This is so interesting. I love to declutter yet I’ve never heard about the salt aspect!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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The salt really gives you a clutter clearing boost 😉
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Thank you Brigid, I will be trying the salt. I’m terrible at de-cluttering, but when I do actually do it, I feel so much better and lighter in myself. I just always need abit of a push to get me going. xxx
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Brilliant. It really helps get you clearing out stuff you don’t need. Unfortunately, I get a bit carried away at times… x🌼
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Oooooo…. a salt cleanse is now on my list starting tomorrow. I’ve been saying for weeks (to Mr.Cobs) that I want to have a clear out because we have too many bits and bobs and it’s beginning to bug me – but the right time never seems to come around to get going on it. So … a small, decorative looking dish of salt is going to be sitting on the coffee table tomorrow morning. It might just be the very thing which actually gets the departure of things on the move!
Thank you for this, Daisies. 🙂
Sending much love ~ Cobs. xxx
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Its strange how many people are feeling the same way Cobs. It must be a seasonal thing! I look forward to hearing how you go. Best wishes and hugs. Brigid x
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Clearing clutter really helps. Thank for reposting this post and reminding about the salt technique whuch i did try back then, but i did feel like it changed the energy much ?
Now we are always clearing stuff and we meditate everyday. Or may be we have to the salt think more frequently ?
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If you are clearing lots Bella there is probably no need. You sound like you are on a clutter clearing roll.
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It is been a roll for a good few years and there is still loads , but can feel the difference certainly
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Oh my, so funny. Lisa and I talked about this today. I will need a huge bowl of salt for my office! 😄
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Wonderful. Let me know how you find it.
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Refreshing read Brigid. Have booked my salt cleanse in my diary to clear out from 2018. Reading somewhere that a good house clean etc akin to spring cleaning was part of old Irish tradition.
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Thank you Margaret. Yes, I think spring cleaning is in my blood! I love clearing clutter – sometimes too much!
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Fantastic post 🙂
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Thank you 🌼
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This is so interesting Brigid! Love the post
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Thank you Lynn. I am forever lettibg go of clutter myself. 😉
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I am excited to try this salt cleanse. I need decluttering in my home heart and spirit. Can you put some in someone else’s room and get same result
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You can indeed although everyone has free will. The results may be different from expected. Good luck. 🌼
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Reblogged this on Change The Code.
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Since we retired, my husband and I have done some decluttering. It produces a feeling of freedom. However, I know we are not ruthless enough. Our home is still so full of things that I fear it will take our kids a month to clear it out when we’re gone. The salt cleanse sounds interesting. Perhaps we’ll try that. Thanks for your insights!
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Good luck Laurie. The salt really works a treat. Let me know how you get on.
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