 Your front door represents how energy (and that means, money, relationships, and health) arrives into your life. The entrance to your home allows everything you’ve ever wanted to flow right in. So, if your entry is cluttered, this will restrict your flow and limit the opportunities coming to you. Clutter anywhere near your home’s entrance, either outside or in equals struggle in your life. Let’s take a fresh look: Walkway: Check for branches and shrubbery hanging into the walk that keep you from having a clear access; clip them back so there is no restriction. Also, look for junk (you know, gardening items, toys, bikes, hoses) that blocks the path and remove it.  Porch: If you have a porch keep the steps clear, regularly sweep, rake, or shovel (yep, the s*** is on it’s way!) Add beautiful plants or a wreath as a welcome to all who enter.  Doormat: Find a snazzy doormat that matches your personality, something with bright colors (Especially RED!!!! It’s very auspicious at the front door). And at the first sign of rattiness, replace it! Because EVERYTHING matters. Your doormat is figuratively and literally the message you’re putting out to the world. Save these for Halloween only:
Think about color and/or a generously sized mat, something beautiful, for the rest of the year:
Front Door: Is it in good repair? Is it a beautiful color? Does it attract your eye from the street? And then once you’re inside, does it open freely? Check behind the door to make sure there is no clutter back there!  Foyer: Once you’re in the door, do you have to fight your way past coats, boots, shoes, umbrellas, or other junk? If you do not have a hall closet create one with a bench that stows gear in baskets underneath and install hooks for coats. This helps keep the area neat and creates a place for everything. Think about your specific needs first before you purchase...that means EDITING coats, gloves, umbrellas, hats to keep only the ones you love (or need).  Now that you’ve taken a tour of the entrance to your home, what will you do to make a difference today? Pick one of the ideas above and get started!
Drop down into the comments below and let me know what your plans are! And then NOTICE what happens, how you feel and what new things show up at your doorstep as a result. Love, XO Jane Join me at Soft Surroundings, brand new store at Greenway Station, Middleton November 23 at 10am for an exciting event: Take your Closet From Chaos to Class: 3 surprising ways to create a closet that matches your glittering, gorgeous self! #gotochurchearly #mimosasandpastries
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 Dear Jane, I wonder if this is ever an issue for anyone else? Our house is full of clutter, from top to bottom but mostly it’s my husband’s things. and when it comes up he just gets mad and refuses to get rid of anything. There’s a lot of friction in our house over this and it just feels hopeless. I’m not exactly a neatnick either but I think my things are in pretty good shape. What can I do? Can you give me some suggestions for how to talk to him? Help! Sheryl The “this-clutter-is-not-my-clutter-it’s-yours” syndrome is an issue for at least 80% of my clients. We are all individuals with different desires, fears, and tolerances for pain AND clutter.
You are not alone, Sheryl! The good news is you have some choices, and a chance to make a big difference in your relationship. **You could NAG, ARGUE, THREATEN, or ISSUE AN ULTIMATUM** However, this usually just makes the clutter bug dig in and cling more tightly. NEVER get rid of someone else’s stuff; you are just asking for trouble! And the results can be very counter-productive. As you probably already know, it’s nearly impossible to change someone else! In the many years of doing this work with people I have found two ways to effectively deal with other people’s clutter: #1 Educate! People really have to understand the downside of clutter if they are going to have any incentive to do this kind of work. It’s emotional, and requires a commitment to take action. Drag your loved one to my next event (details coming soon!), or sign them up for the newsletter, or together read: Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. #2 Lead by Example! Start with your own stuff, (you said you aren’t exactly a neatnick:)) get really really clear about what is yours to deal with, clean up items that you have total control over and keep going until it feels good. Sometimes it takes 2-3 passes before you get down to the items that you truly love or need to keep. What happens next is MAGIC: The energy changes in you and in your home as you let go of items that no longer serve you. A ripple effect occurs and, without saying a word, your husband, kids and, yes, even the neighbors, will begin to notice and (my prediction) JOIN IN because they sense how much better you are all feeling as a result. Good Luck and let me know what happens, Sheryl! (Or any of you who have someone else in the family with clutter issues!) As always, please send your questions and comments, I love to connect! XO Jane PS: If you also want the newsletter, delivered weekly to your inbox, with goodies I only give to subscribers, head on over to my sign-in page! Photo credit: Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_klotz'>klotz / 123RF Stock Photo</a>  As we hiked in Glacier a few weeks ago, (I know, I know, part of me is still there.) There was a 2 mile section that was steep, really steep. It was also hot, at the end of the day, and our packs felt three times their weight. So, we actually COUNTED our steps and stopped every 100 steps to (ahem) “take in the view”. It was a matter of breaking the hike into much smaller chunks that got us up to the top of the mountain that day. We even hollered out every ten steps (for the bears :)) which divided our trek even further.
Even the greatest achievement is started and then continued by single little steps, one after another. I’m sure you can think of your own “mountain” and how it stops you in your tracks and uses up your energy every day. Let’s use clearing the clutter from your home as an example. And let’s say it terrifies you. In order to nudge yourself toward change, you could ask yourself, “What’s one thing I could do today, right now, to make this better?”
Some of you think you don’t have time, but dividing your “mountain trek” into small steps will ultimately lead to your big goal. It might take 2 months to clear your closet, but it will be done! AND, most importantly, you will have the energy back that you used to spend thinking “I should be cleaning my closet right now!” Each week you accomplish your easy task, it will boost your confidence and fuel your momentum. Remember, celebrate your process and like the tortoise, laugh all the way to the finish line! If you need support or help to get moving, let me know, I would love to help. As always, I love to hear from you! Add your comments below the blog and let me know what your first step will be... XOXO Jane “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~Lao Tzu |
Jane Antonovich
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