Why I Finally Cleaned Out My Garage — And Why It Changed How I Work
After years of ignoring the garage, a home office reorganization forced me to confront the chaos. Cleaning out that neglected space didn't just free up room for storage — it changed how I felt every time I sat down to work.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Garage
Direction
West
The Problem
For three years, my garage was a black hole. Boxes from the last two moves, old camping gear, broken furniture I kept meaning to fix — it was all piled up. I told myself it didn't matter because it wasn't a living space. No one saw it but me. But every time I walked past the door from the kitchen, I felt a twinge. It was the background hum of unfinished business, always there, always nagging.
What They Tried
I spent a weekend clearing it out. Not in a pretty way — I rented a dumpster, filled three contractor bags with trash, donated two carloads to Goodwill. Then I swept the floor, put up a simple wire shelving unit, and organized everything into labeled bins. The garage became a functional space: bikes on hooks, tools on a pegboard, holiday stuff in one corner. I also installed a basic motion-sensor light so it didn't feel like a cave.
What Happened
The immediate effect was practical: I could actually find things. But what surprised me was the shift in my home office. Before, I'd sit down at my desk and feel vaguely restless, like I was avoiding something. After the garage was clean, that feeling disappeared. I started finishing projects instead of starting new ones. My focus sharpened. It was like a low-grade mental fog had lifted.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 兑 ☱ · Dui |
|---|---|
| Direction | West |
| Element | metal |
What works best here
Dui (7) · Metal. West should be lower and more open than East for left-right equilibrium.
Place: low cabinets, metal decor (brass, copper, steel), round shapes, white and grey tones.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Selenite — placed on a low console or side table in the west
Round shapes and metallic finishes feel especially at home on this side of the room
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Text
Puesto que las zonas bagua se encuentran por entero incluidas en la estructura en la que está trabajando, al menos una o dos se situarán inevitablemente en el garaje, el sótano, los armarios y el cuarto de baño. Pero eso no les resta importancia. El principio que hay que aplicar cuando se trata este aspecto es: «No hay ningún sitio que esconder».
English Translation
All spaces are important: closets, basements, attics, garages. Because the bagua areas extend across the entire structure, at least one or two will inevitably fall in the garage, basement, closets, or bathroom. That doesn't make them less important. The principle is: there is nowhere to hide.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The principle here is about recognizing that every part of a home contributes to the overall experience — including the spaces we close the door on. Psychologically, clutter in neglected areas creates a background cognitive load: your brain is constantly, unconsciously tracking it as unfinished business. When the garage was cleared, that background noise went quiet, freeing up mental energy for the task at hand. This isn't about mystical energy — it's about the brain's need for visual order to reduce stress.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
Wind & Water School of Feng Shui
Minnesota Feng Shui pioneer. Founded a professional Feng Shui school and has consulted for major hospitals, banks, and corporate headquarters across the US.