"The New Year holidays are over, and the next event is Setsubun..."
If you think of Setsubun as merely "the day for bean-throwing," then you're missing out on a lot.
In the old calendar, Risshun (around February 4th) marked the beginning of the year, and Setsubun, the day before, was like New Year's Eve. In other words, getting your home in order by Setsubun is preparation for truly welcoming the "New Year."
I'll explain the fastest way to declutter and invite good fortune by letting go of those "things you couldn't get rid of at the end of the year."
Why is "tidying up before Setsubun" important?
"Setsubun" literally means "dividing the seasons." It was believed that evil spirits (oni) tend to arise during seasonal transitions.
From the perspective of feng shui and organization, it's said that "stagnant energy" accumulates in places filled with unnecessary items.
A survey revealed that about 70% of people answered that they "still had things they couldn't get rid of" during their year-end cleaning.
By resetting those areas you compromised on due to the year-end rush, you can dramatically improve your luck from Risshun onwards.
The "Three Evil Spirits (Unwanted Items)" You Should Expel by Setsubun
Just as you expel "oni" by throwing beans at Setsubun, let's expel the following three things from your home.
① "Last year's homework": Leftovers from winter break
Leftover chopsticks from the New Year, unused New Year's greeting card spares, expired mochi or seasonings. These symbolize "past energy." Just disposing of these will start to circulate the energy in your kitchen.
② "Worn-out winter items": Used fabric goods
Socks full of lint from being worn all winter, or towels that have lost their absorbency. Fabric items are said to govern "connections." Letting go of worn-out fabrics before Risshun, the beginning of spring, prepares you to welcome new, good relationships.
③ "Piles of paper": Direct mail and old magazines
Flyers accumulated in the mailbox, or catalogs you vaguely held onto. Paper items tend to absorb bad energy along with moisture. Before Risshun, shred these piles of paper or put them out for recycling to improve physical ventilation.
A 3-minute task to invite "good fortune": Clear the floor
The goal of decluttering is not to perfect your storage. It's to "increase the visible area of the floor."
- Reduce just "one" item placed directly on the floor.
- Put away just "one pair" of shoes from the entryway.
Just doing this will create a "path for good fortune" for throwing beans at Setsubun.
For those who find it hard to throw things away: Share your fortune through "reuse"
There's no need to force yourself to throw away things that you think are "still usable." Setsubun is also a time to "share good fortune."
- Utilize buying services: By letting someone else use them, items regain their vibrancy.
- Consider donating: Items you no longer use can benefit someone else. This positive cycle increases your "virtue."
Summary: To stand as a "brand new you" on Risshun
Setsubun is the perfect time for a detox of your mind and environment.
Instead of feeling obligated like with year-end cleaning, approach it with the excitement of "maximizing the luck for the new year that's about to begin."
- Tidy up "symbols of the past (New Year's items)."
- Replace "worn-out fabrics."
- Increase the "floor area."
On the night of February 3rd, the state of "a tidy home" at the moment you throw beans. That refreshing feeling will surely be an invitation to the true "good fortune" that arrives with Risshun.
