The correlation between weight and clutter is real. It's all about image and how we feel about ourselves. When I began decluttering my house this past week I noticed a huge surge in energy (to the point where I became too wired at night to sleep), and less inclination to snack on junk food. I am overweight but I already feel better about myself and I can see the difference in how I dress. Today was the first day I arrived at work on time, dressed well and neat and organized, and feeling good about myself. I hope this feeling lasts forever. What a wonderful side effect space clearing offers!

Hello Karen! 
 
I just read your Newsletter about Space Clearing and weightloss. And yes I also think that there is a connection between the two things.  
 
About 8 years ago I read your book in German ("Feng Shui gegen das Gerümpel des Alltags") and within a short time cleared out my cellar, where I had things stored, that I kept since my childhood. Things were even moulded. I had just had a big tumor operation and thought that I was to weak to do something like that, but in fact it gave me lots of energy.  
 
Now 8 years later, I have gained about 10 kilos weight! And I live now in a 2-room flat (before I had 1 room flat), and I often think, I should really clear out my flat again and throw things away! In fact I wanted to start today, but I had some bellyache, which made me lay in bed for hours... I'm wondering how to find the energy kick to start again such a clearing! The fact, that I have gained so much weight again and the feeling of wanting to protect myself go together also very well. I asked myself if one doesn't have to find first another way to protect oneself?  
 
I lost some weight with weightwatchers also, but gained it all back, even more and I feel that the reason is, because the soul or the psyche has also to change and find another way of protection...  
 
What I also find very interesting, that I meet people in my life, who really have loads of clutter in their flats and houses! I had once a boyfriend, where I first had to clear his sleepingroom from thick spiderwebs around the bed, before I dared to sleeps in there! of course, when I first saw all this, I thought no, this can't be true! I can't be with such a person... the relationship didn't last for long. But also my next boyfriend had a tendancy to clutterstoring in his flat. And finally I ended up with a job where my boss is almost a messy! And she expects me to clear up her office all the time, which isn't easy at all, because she also gets angry if one throws away something she might still have needed, but she won't tell me, what I can throw away and what not.... I feel that the whole situation has also an influence on my situation at home, I start to be more messy again also! So I quit that job, but still have to work there till the end of July...I'm expecting, that if I don't work there anymore, that I gain back my energy and have more strength again to clear out my flat and my life¨!....Ah, I hope so.  
 
What I also find is that clutter has an influence on the psyche too! I know a few people who have depressions and other psychological problems and have loads of old stuff in there flat. But I see also, that they need it to give them a feeling of being at home. What I'm sure is, that one cannot force anybody to change their situation (I to often tried to help them clear out, but went against walls, because they didn't really want it. I wanted it for them, and that doesn't work). Lately I got your book "Creating Sacred Spaces" (in German)from a friend to read. And I am really impressed by your descriptions about the Balinese people.  
 
I will watch my weight when I will clear out my flat! and let you know again... 
 
Greetings from Switzerland - Sada

Karen, You are right on regarding the association between clutter and being overweight. I am a recovering food addict (yes, there is definitely such a thing!) and I have found that at my most basic level, I am addicted to 'more'. I know that it is fear-based, that I am afraid of not having enough, and as I continue to recover from my food addiction (having given away over 70 lbs with another 25 to go), I am finally beginning to tackle the incredible clutter that now feels like it is weighing me down. The two are definitely related. Thanks for making this connection. I'm not sure which a person should start with first - the clutter or the weight loss - but I do know that in a hologrammatic fashion, work in one area is definitely having its impact in another. I recently bought and read your book, 'Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui' and read it cover-to-cover. I am working to de-clutter my home and I hope that this will support my recovery from food addiction. Thanks, Kate