How to Turn off Negative Energy at the Source
Do you believe that objects have energy? It’s something I think about a lot. Everyone has those special objects that are alive to them, the really potent, memory-evoking things. My childhood teddy bear, Harriet, comes to mind. Her squishy body and red and green plaid bow make me feel instantly warm and protected. Harriet is a breathing, living being as far as I’m concerned. Or negatively, we’ve all felt the sticky residue of something that has caused harm in our lives. The body-shaming these too-small pants were purchased for. (‘Goal pants’ are rarely self-love, sister.) But what about other objects? The day to day stuff. Post-it notes. Dish towels. Do they have energy? It depends on who you ask. For my money, it’s all stardust.
A part of my service is hauling away your donations for you (and texting you a copy of your tax-deductible receipt!). At the end of each session I fill my little H-RV with all of your learning moments, shameful memories and outgrown toys and drive it away. If donation centers are still open, I take them straight there. I can feel the energy of these items in my space, and the session doesn’t feel complete until I donate them and send them on to their next phase of life.
Now whether this energy I’m speaking of is entirely the perception of the human being, or there’s actually an innate energy to non-organic items isn’t my field. What concerns me is that it’s real for my clients and it’s real for me.
I believe the energy of an object comes from two places:
1) the materials used to create it (the closer to earth, the better) and 2) the human input. Human input being the most powerful and where my interests lie for the purpose of this blog. (But ban single-use plastics, ya’ll. That’s some bad juju.)
Any time a person comes in contact with an item, anytime someone has an opinion about it, they add their energy to it. The main categories of human input are:
First, conception. In what spirit was it designed? Everything was imagined before it was made.
Second, creation. Who made it? Was this person getting paid a living wage? Enjoying their work? And I’ll include everyone who packaged and shipped it and their experiences and opinions in this category too.
And lastly, its homecoming! In what spirit was it obtained by its owner? A joyful purchase? A gift? A necessity or an obligation?
This human influence or belief about an object as it makes its way through the world imbues it with an energy that is palpable. And now this item, with all of its life experience, has found its way through the jungle of consumerism to your home. The one place in the world that you have chosen to make your safe haven, your emotional charging station. The space where you can feel vulnerable and let it all hang out.
So what kind of energy do you want in your space, and how do you nurture and protect those good vibes?
This is a personal question, and if you live in LA like I do you’re well aware of smudging and candles, essential oils and the like to get the stagnant energy out of your space.
While I love Palo Santo as much as the next gal (and maybe more), this is just a band aid if you are keeping objects in your home that are continually stinking up the place with their bad memories. Girlfriend, you need to declutter first.
This is why I organize. To shepherd you through this emotional landscape, holding your hand as you discover all of the unwanted beliefs clinging on to your psyche through these objects, to celebrate and bring to the fore the things that remind you of who you truly are and want to be, and to encourage and guide you when the going gets tough and create real, lasting change.
Secretly, I think of what I do as energy work. My pre-organizer background is in storytelling and massage therapy. Everything I’ve felt drawn to explore professionally is intimate, energy work. I consistently find myself exploring why we do what we do and how to heal myself and others.
In massage you tell me where it hurts in your body, in organizing you tell me where it hurts in your home, and in storytelling I share how it hurts to be a person. In exploring your personal things, we shed light on the stories they reinforce, we make these pains known, thank them for the lesson, and let it go.
Decluttering is a practice of releasing past beliefs that no longer serve you, flushing stagnant energy out of your home, and making space for life-affirming, joyful experiences. Organizing isn’t for the faint of heart. This emotional labor is exhausting and I commend every single one of you that’s willing to take it on.
May you have a beautiful day filled with positive, supportive, free-flowing energy!
-Raleigh