Dear Karen,

Thank you for your two wonderful, inspiring books. I have almost finished clearing my clutter and I am looking forward to space clearing my house.

In your book, you say that one should be healthy and 'emotionally balanced' to carry out the ceremony. However, I have recently been diagnosed with post natal depression and therefore, I suppose, I do not fall into that category. I live with my husband and three children. While my husband would probably agree to do the ceremony on my behalf, I'm not sure that his heart would be in it, and I would really like to do it myself. If I pick a good day, would it be O.K. for me to do it myself, or at least could we do it together?

- Angela D, England

Karen's reply:

Yes, you're absolutely on the right track here. Pick a 'good' day and do enlist your husband's help, if he's willing.