The benefits of a good clear out

Sometimes my work papers and files get a little out of hand and I begin to sense that I'm just not functioning well. It's the end of a busy week and I have made time to tidy up my work space. Within half an hour, I can see clear spaces all around. It's quite uplifting.

Several years ago I heard about Feng Shui, which I thought sounded intriguing but implausible. Browsing through a book shop one day, I spied a compact book called Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui. It was the word "clutter" that grabbed me. "Okay," I thought, "I'll give it a go."

The book was engrossing. Three things stuck in my mind:

• the emotional reasons for hanging on to stuff – for "stuff" is certainly what most of it is,
• the idea that getting rid of the old allows space for the new, and
• that clear spaces equals clear thinking.

These messages had quite an impact on me.

How often do we receive gifts that we really don't like? We may feel a little guilty for not liking them, which is compounded by the feeling of not being truly grateful, in spite of the kind gesture. We hang on to them, not daring to get rid of them, but at the same time, we harbour the tiniest objection to being in that position.

Having tested the book's theory, I couldn't deny that when I looked at something I didn't like my thoughts, mood, and energy dropped noticeably. Conversely, when I saw something I did like, it resonated with me and caused me to feel happy. It's such a simple, fascinating concept.

A twice yearly clear-out is now part of the calendar: ditching books I won't re-read or didn't enjoy, catalogues and brochures that have a scary way of accumulating, and clothing that somehow I just don't love any more. Making way for the new is great.

It's hard to be so ruthless with the business side of things though. I seem to continue accumulating (mainly paperwork) but not very much can be thrown out. Keeping everything in a tidy fashion and filed away becomes extremely important.

I don't always manage to keep on top of it, which is when the disorganisation sets in, both in a physical and psychological sense. I find a point is reached at which I can no longer function and the only solution is to get busy tidying up until my workspace has been cleared. The difference in the energy in the room is impressively tangible. It is transformed from a place of something almost oppressive to a vibrant, space that I instinctively want to get busy working in.