Feng Shui. Honestly, I always thought it was weird. It seemed “far out” and I never took the time to truly understand it. I also thought yoga was just for hippies. (I now do yoga twice a week). It wasn’t until I read more about Feng Shui when I realized what it was and was and how it could impact our lives and spaces in so many ways. Have you ever stopped to think about how your home actually made you feel? There are likely rooms you enjoy being in more than others. Have you ever wondered why? If you have, you’re starting to think about Feng Shui!
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is the ancient art of decorating. No, this doesn’t mean hieroglyphics and writing in the dirt. Feng shui is based on the idea that everything in your surroundings affects you. It is all about creating harmony within yourself and your mind, body and spirit. Think about energy flow.
It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.
Feng means wind and shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health, thus good feng shui came to mean good fortune, while bad feng shui means bad luck, or misfortune.
Feng shui is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy.
Even if you are not a Taoist, there are still many ways you can utilize feng shui to improve the energy and positivity in your home.
Feng Shui and Energy Flow
Feng shui is very dependent on energy. It is said that every object has its own energy. For example, previously owned objects can contain the energy of a previous owner, which may reflect negatively on your space and feelings.
This idea of energy proves quite common sensical, because the world and everything in it is composed of vital energy or life force that vibrates in difference frequencies. It permeates your physical body and the buildings where you live and work. Your personal energy is constantly interacting with others and has the ability to absorb, project and deflect other energies.
Since you are continually affected by the energy around you, the energy must be healthy and affirmative for you to thrive in your environment.
Feng Shui focuses on these rules to guide the vital energy evenly through your space.
5 Easy Ways To Feng Shui Your Space
1. Clear out the clutter.
It turns out that clearing out clutter isn’t just so you don’t look bad in front of guests. There is a psychological aspect to it as well. Keeping your home and workplace clean and organized promotes happiness, mental clarity and peace of mind. Lots of clutter blocks the energy flow of your home and can leave you feeling depleted, fatigued and down.
2. Find room for new things in your life.
Now this doesn’t mean going out and buying random knick-knacks and a new pair of shoes. This means more along the lines of clearing out things you don’t want, need or like and adding in a few meaningful items that bring you joy and serenity. This makes room inside your home for a crisp and refreshing outlook that will reflect upon your current status and your future. Sometimes, less is more.
3. Add sunlight as much as possible.
Natural sunlight lifts your spirits and is synonymous with birth, creativity and productivity. Darkness is associated with the opposite ideals. Constriction, hibernation, sadness. Go outside for a walk daily or move your desk by the window for some more sun.
4. Bring in the green!
I’m actually NOT talking about money here, but doing this may land you somewhere much more fruitful in life. Bring in those luscious, oxygen producing plants into your home with open arms. Not only do plants remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air, they have been proven to increase mood, motivation, harmony and overall wellness.
5. Play with color.
Believe it or not, different colors influence your mood. For example, red and orange tend to stimulate you, while blue, green and lavender colors tend to relax you. Paint a swatch in a room before committing to an entire wall. Let it sit for awhile, let it speak to you. How do you feel when you look at it?
Feng Shui Is Easier Than You Think
Think of your home as a carefully crafted masterpiece. Each object can enhance or hinder the energy flow to propel your life forward. The color of your walls, the size of your sofa, the smells, the tastes, the photos. These all affect you on a daily basis and interact with your personal energy. This all may seem very involved, but it’s actually very simple.
To simplify feng shui completely, think of it as what makes you feel happy in your home. Spaces and objects that elevate your mood are most likely in line with the principles of feng shui.
I’m sure you have a “favorite space” in your home, right? I know I do.
It happens to be my daughter’s room. If I recall why it’s my favorite space, the reasons end up circling right back to feng shui. It’s the brightest room in the house. The sun floods in every morning and instantly energizes me. I love the bright peachy wall color. It makes me feel peaceful and happy. I love the bright, white molding and doors. It makes me feel clean and organized. I love the fluffy carpet, the clean un-cluttered dressers and the meaningful art pieces on the wall.
I’m sure you also have a space that you dislike in your home too.
I certainly do. My living room is small with bulky furniture (that I found out blocks energy flow). It’s often a dark room and contains neutral colored furniture. It’s normally cluttered with toys and gadgets. This room depleted my energy instead of enhanced it, so I broke up the furniture so there is an even flow from my dining room to the living room. Now, the space is much more enjoyable and open.
Many feng shui techniques are simple fixes, but create a big impact on your physical, spiritual and mental wellness. What is your favorite room in your home, and why?
If you want to learn more about the ancient art of decorating and how it impacts you more than you think, check out Feng Shui Your Life by Jamie Barrett.
Love & Light, Nicole Musap
