Feng shui is all about energy: the flow of it, the lack of it, the harmonizing of it, and the cultivation of positive, beneficial energy. Whether your life is stagnant or bountiful, smooth or bumpy, you can bet there is some cause and that you are living the effect.
That is the best news there is about feng shui, and that is, there is always a way to shift and change your home’s energy and that it can have a positive outcome on your life.
And that’s what drew me to feng shui: there is hope and a remedy for many of life’s frustrations and annoyances. So, how can you move ahead and get past some of the problems of the past?
Begin by making a fresh start at home with feng shui.
The checklist below outlines the steps you should take to get energy moving for you in your home — and your life.
Do things symbolically and thoughtfully.
When you clean house before New Year’s Eve, for example, you are symbolically starting fresh and new for the new year. This is just one example of doing things in a symbolic way. Think of things you can do to create positive symbolism in your life.
Consider buying new artwork in your house that inspires and uplifts you and is symbolic of something you aspire to or anything that represents your new, fresh start. Be present as you make changes and intentional about the outcome you are striving for.
Start new.
This change can be a new, positive tradition that you do for yourself such as buying a new wallet or purse or flowers each week to place at your foyer. Find something you can do on a regular basis to bring fresh, new energy to your home. Flowers are one of the best ways!
Let good energy take root.
Plants are a wonderful way to get a fresh start. If possible, plant something outdoors, such as bulbs or a tree to get a jump start in a new direction. Plants symbolize a healthy, vigorous, and symbolic start. If that’s not possible, purchase a new, lush and healthy indoor plant.
Feeling down or hopeless? Clean.
Our lives are impacted by our surroundings and there is simply nothing that feels better than a clean house because as you refresh and clean your house, you feel refreshed and clean.
If you find yourself having a down moment, take a few minutes to find something to clean, dishes on the countertop that can be put away, or laundry that can be folded.
Every act that we take to clean and clear helps shift our mental momentum forward — and helps keep chi moving in our homes and lives.
Pick a corner of the house to refresh and renew.
Plan on doing some renovations to your home to keep the energy of the area fresh and vibrant. Plan some new curtains, wall color, etc., for this area — and do it in the yard as well — just make a plan to invigorate your home. Giving your home a refresh is a great energy lifter!
Choose one room to streamline and de-clutter.
Resist trying to tackle the whole house. Get a friend or a family member and bring in a box and a trash can. Throw as many items in the box to donate to charity or in the trash can to throw away that you can. If you still feel motivated try another room in the house.
With some graph paper in hand, set about diagramming your entire house. Next, draw nine equal squares over the house. Each square or sector corresponds to a direction (north, south, etc.).
Draw the North-South line on the diagram to locate the north and south sectors. Then, check the front door to determine its facing direction (looking out of the house toward the street); it should be the same as the house.
If your house faces one way and the door faces another, remember to determine the facing direction by the most open area on your house (link takes you to article about facing direction). This can be a large picture window, a wide veranda, or the area with the best view of a lake, a river, the ocean, or a major scene, such a view of the city.
Welcome opportunities to your house.
The front of the house is where opportunities originate. If the front of your house needs help, then chances are you might be feeling stuck or without options in your life.
If you live in a trailer or manufactured home, be sure that the steps leading up to your house are closed and that the risers are not open otherwise you will be losing valuable opportunities.
Keep your door beautifully maintained, clean and attractive. Give attention, too, to your pathway to the door. The front door is your pathway to opportunity…make it a beautiful path that invites wealth and opportunity!
Clear out any items that make you unhappy or represent loss.
These items can be anything from cremated pet ashes to an old wedding photo album you kept after a divorce. It could even be chipped dishes.
Every time I see a chipped dish, it brings my energy down. Get rid of chipped dishes or scratched or dented pans. The same is true for walls that are scuffed and dirty. Clean them or do a paint touch-up. You’ll be amazed at how great you feel when you remove these items.
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