As you decorate, it’s important to keep The Five Elements balanced in each room. Too much red or gold, too many living plants and too much fiery light energy might throw your space out of balance. Consider the element, color and shape of your décor and position them in a way that creates a balanced arrangement of holiday cheer.

In Western Feng Shui, each area of your home is associated with an important area of your life. When you clear the clutter from an area of your home with the intention to create space for what you’d like to begin to experience and enjoy, it can be very powerful. Decluttering is the first step in preparation for activating the energy and lifting the chi in your space.

As many people who dabble in feng shui know, feng shui means “wind and water”. Feng is wind and shui is water. Wind and water are what the ancient Chinese farmers relied on for peaceful, productive and prosperous lives.

Following is a simple guide to clearing the clutter in every room of your home. Clutter keeps you stuck in life and can block you from losing weight. So, work to declutter your space, room by room.

Now that you know what your why is and what clutter is, it's time to learn the how-tos of decluttering.

You've prepared your heart and mind to let it go. Now, it’s time to get prepared to clear the clutter in practical ways.

Energetically, our stuff is an extension of ourselves. What we have in our living and working spaces becomes a part of our energy field. This is why hoarders have such a hard time letting go of their stuff.

If you have learned anything about feng shui over the years, you know that decluttering is the first step toward creating better energy in your space and clearing the way for a better flow of energy in your living and working environments.

Interested in feng shui?  Not sure if you are ready to get feng shui'd?

The truth is: there are quite a few reasons you might not want to get feng shui’d.

Here are just five that might keep you from booking your first feng shui consultation (and going through with it).

Did you know that you already have feng shui?

Yes! Yes, you do. And so does everybody else.

Right this very minute, the feng shui of your space is having an effect on you and your life.

Feng shui principles are employed to bring the balance found in natural environments to living and working environments. This balance is created through reducing dominant energy and making sure all Five Elements are present in each area, room and gua. Additionally, the permanent and annual unseen energy is remedied and enhanced. Sha chi is addressed and chi lifters are added.

Dara Eden is a professional feng shui consultant and personal element expert. She offers a variety of feng shui services from virtual feng shui consultations to personal energy and relationship dynamics coaching. Her feng shui consultation services include personalized Feng Shui Reports, Annual Energy Updates and Prospective Property Readings for both homes and businesses. Her personal energy coaching includes 60 minute coaching calls and Personal Element Energy Guides.

Inner Chi offers professional feng shui services internationally. Conducted onsite or online, Inner Chi Feng Shui consultation services include personalized Feng Shui Reports and Annual Energy Updates, Prospective Property Readings and Real Estate Staging for both homes and businesses. Inner Chi clients benefit from a combination of Environmental, Personal and Intentional feng shui.

As a classically trained feng shui consultant I am sometimes amused, more times annoyed and even occasionally angered by some of the advice so called "professionals" give to the public about interior design. These schooled stylists do one of two things. Either they diagnose a problem and prescribe a standard treatment, much like a surgeon who can't wait to make that first cut. Or they come in a with a "vision" that they want to see brought to life, regardless of budget or the client's personal taste or preferences. They've been to the fancy school. They have the training, the glowing testimonials, the celebrity client rosters, the full page spreads in popular magazines. They are the professional. They know what they are doing.

Blessings are not a new concept or practice. People have been bestowing blessings since the dawn of mankind. Many people bless their food before eating a meal. They bless their daily bread or whatever they are about to eat. Others bless their homes. They place "Bless this home" embroidered pillows on their couches or cross-stitched art on their walls. People have been encouraged by their mothers and clergy to "count your blessings" and shower others with blessings. Certain religions have blessings that are recited during ritualized prayers, organized meetings or ceremonial gatherings. People say them to bless their children, their family and friends, even their enemies. Patriots will bless their country and their countrymen or service men and women. Politicians frequently end their speeches and public statements with "God bless America". Other nationalities have blessings built into their saying, greetings and salutations. The Irish are known for their beautiful and genuine blessings for travelers and happiness.

The feng shui solar New Year begins during the first week of February. To get ready to receive blessings, start by creating space in your living and working environments for the new energy coming in. The 3 Cs are cleaning, clearing and cleansing. Don't forget to Feng Shui For YOU!