September--Time to Tackle the Basement!

I got a little story-time in with Harper last weekend--she definitely has her favorites--basically any book involving puppies or trucks :)

Back to business, though, with our year to clear--last month we talked about how the basement always holds the MOST STAGNANT CHI in anyone’s space. It’s dark, often damp, and usually unappealing. Things don’t get taken out, handled, loved and cared for--they are mostly boxed up, smelly, maybe even mousey or falling apart.

***FENG SHUI TIP--the stagnancy of the basement is in direct correlation with your health. So, if you want a health boost--let’s get crackin’!

BTW, Mice had found their way into an antique trunk we opened in a client’s basement a few months ago…

(If you don’t handle your clutter, Mother Nature will send her army in and take care of it for you! Whether it’s mice, insects, water or mold, there is usually a way to have the decision to let go made FOR you!)

If you’ve been following, we started in January with a plan for clearing your entire space…

Jan--Master Suite                     May--Kids Stuff
Feb--Kitchen                             June - The Garage
Mar--Family Room                   July - Office
Apr--Linen Closet                    Aug--Entry/Mudroom

So, after 8 months of clearing--we are warmed up, right? We’ve had practice!!!!!

Many, many people box up and drag along dozens of boxes from place to place and store them in their basement for DECADES! And that’s exactly what it is energetically-- A DRAG!

What’s in those boxes??????? If pressed, clients usually have NO CLUE what’s inside. It’s time to open and assess.

Maybe you’ve built your editing muscle and this will be easier than you think. It is very common for the items in basement boxes to just get tossed or donated.

One client said a few weeks ago, “We haven’t looked in those boxes since we moved here. What’s the point of looking now? We’ve lived here 20 years and haven’t touched them once.”

If this is YOU, then save yourself a TON of energy and just get them gone.

Categories of items usually found in basements:

• Old furniture
• Broken items
• Old (usually broken) larger appliances such as AC units, dehumidifiers, TVs
• Old paint, chemicals from past projects
• Boxes of paperwork from previous jobs
• Old college and high school notebooks and papers (your own or your kids’)
• Old financial records
• Old Sports equipment
• Outgrown baby equipment, toys (Beanie Baby collection, anyone?)
• Tools
• Antiques from past generations
• Holiday items
• Trunks full of family “mementos”
• Photos

Roughly sort and set aside photos, mementos and holiday items to deal with in November and December (unless you see that they could immediately GO!).

You may need to schedule a truck, (St. Vinnies will come to your house and pick larger items up for you as long as the walking path is clear :) or find some teenagers to help with bringing things up and out.

Basements are usually large and can feel overwhelming so break it down.

Try using one of these strategies:

• Work for a set amount of time (30 minutes at a time--no distractions--build up your time, try to go 1 or 2  minutes longer each time.)

 

• Start in a corner and work your way around the perimeter of the space one shelf or box at a time.

 

• Start with things on the floor first so you have a clear space to work on the rest.

 

• Go for the easy things first to give you a big WIN! (You know, the ones that you can say, “Of course, THAT can go…”)

 

• Work in categories--see above list for ideas.

Any of these methods can work, but one will feel the best to you...give it a try, stay focused, work in short sessions to start.

DEFINITELY get the cast-offs out of the space, not just piled up to remove “someday”. (Remember, removing the clutter from your property is where the magic happens!)

Basements can hold a lot of stagnant energy, but your efforts will definitely pay off; look for personal health benefits to follow!

Ahem...also, remember to CELEBRATE (even your small successes)! Plan a picnic, go for a hike or curl up with a good book--you deserve it--and it will keep you motivated to continue.

Reply to this email with your biggest success and your biggest challenge when it comes to working on your basement. We LOVE hearing from you!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

SUCCESS STORY:
“Jane, your attention to detail is phenomenal! The lighting upgrade in our basement alone gave us “more light on the subject”. It was much easier to get through our things! Thank you, the basement is under control which I thought would never happen. I’m not scared of the basement any more!”
~ Sandy T., Madison