Feng Shui is the practice of arranging your environment so that energy, or “chi”, flows gently and smoothly through your home or business environment. In this way, your space just feels good, and supports what you want out of life – whether it’s a better career, new romance, improved health or more income.
Harness the power of Feng Shui at home/work
About Cherene
I’m a writer, speaker, teacher and entrepreneur who is passionate about all things HEALth, FITness, WELLness & LifeSTYLE, and helping you create the JUICIER life of your dreams!
Feng Shui (or Wind and Water) is based on the concept that everything in your environment has a life force or energy called “chi.” Just as “chi” flows through our body, it also flows through our living environments. When the energy flow is stagnant (think clutter and overflowing closets), moves too quickly (think long dark hallways, stairs, and straight shots through the home), or is obstructed (think walls, trees, or even cars in the wrong place), the unbalanced chi may lead to ill health, domestic strife, or financial concerns.
Adjustments to the Feng Shui in your environment can help ensure that the chi energy flow is just right, so that everything in your environment supports your wish for harmony, good luck, good health, harmonious relationships and prosperity.
I was introduced to Feng Shui about 20 years ago. I dabbled with it on and off until a few years ago, when I decided to revisit the practice - but this time with a fresh perspective: a more Western perspective while still grounded in its traditional roots.
Like ZEN, Feng Shui can be applied in a very personalised way! You can make it your own and go into it as little or as deep as you feel comfortable. Obviously, the more you get into it and apply, the better the results are going to be – but you can (and probably should) feel your way if you are new to the practice. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions to creating a powerful environment.
Here are my top tips to get started on improving the energy in your environment, with some basic Feng Shui principles:
1. Declutter
Maybe you have a few things lying around the house, or maybe you should be featured on the next episode of Hoarders.
Whichever one it is, accumulating clutter is bad for you in more ways than one! It’s bad for your bank account, it’s bad for your mind, and it’s bad for the energy in your home!
Clutter of any kind only adds to the sense of feeling overwhelmed. It is insidious and tends to sneak up on you. One day you look around and all you see is “stuff” – and it’s everywhere. Cleaning is a nightmare, and some items may hold sad, bad or negative memories.
If you want to invite good chi into your home, you’re going to have to get rid of the excess! Check out my article Cut the Clutter to Revitalise Your Home – and Life!
2. Replace or fix anything that is broken, going mouldy, rotting or in disrepair
Care for your home the way you care for yourself. Often if we are not caring for ourselves, our homes reflect this as well.
They are a mirror to our inner and outer worlds and if we pay attention will give us profound clues to where our lives are. Mould is also very toxic and needs to be addressed immediately in the home.
3. Look at your entry
The entryway is considered the mouth of chi, where all of your opportunities come in. It is also the place you enter, so make it inspiring and you’ll feel great every time you come home.
Add a fresh door mat, plants at the side of the door, paint the door the colour you love, clean away any spider webs, replace broken light bulbs and make it look like you are proud to live there.
This is the first impression others get of who you are and what you have to offer, so make sure you are sending the message you want!
4. Bring nature indoors
We come from generations of ancestors who lived in the natural world. Nature realigns our energy field and makes us feel whole so it should make sense that our homes will make us truly feel at homewhen we bring nature in.
Plants are nature, growth, creativity and even air purification all in one beautiful package! Get great plants that you can manage. You don’t have to overdose on this tip, but I will say that if you have lots of electronics, get one or two more plants than may seem logical but still look lush and wonderful, and you’ll feel the difference.
5. Live with what you love
Remove anything you feel obligated to keep for whatever reason. Update your home to reflect who you are now – not who you used to be.
Honour who you are and give yourself permission to surround yourself with things that inspire you. Use the things you love rather than saving them for the guests affirming that you are the most important person here!
6. Arrange key pieces of furniture in the Empowered position
By this, I mean, where you can see the entrance from where you are sitting or lying, but are not in direct alignment with the open doorway. The bed, desk, and place where you spend the most time reading or watching television should always be in this position.
If not, you will be spending most of your time feeling disempowered. You will never feel truly comfortable if you can’t see what is going on in the room.
These are just a few of the basic Feng Shui principles and my parting words before you get started with your Feng Shui are to freshen up. Do what feels right to you! If it feels wrong, it probably is.
Also, any investment in your home, even the investment of your time, will make a difference while bringing a more balanced and harmonious living/working space. Even small shifts can make a big difference!
Happy Feng Shui'ing!
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