Summertime, Feng Shui Style
You know that feeling you get at the very beginning of summer? It’s an excited-to-get-out-and-socialize type of feeling that comes when the heat of summer begins. Our kiddos get it ten-fold.
There’s a reason for that passion you and your children are feeling. That bright, hot sunshine is associated with the active and hot yang energy.
The tricky part is that too much of this “fire” can have the opposite effect on how we feel. It could make us feel tired, listless, and just burned out.
To keep this from happening, we need to find a way to balance out the yin, which is cooler and quieter energy, with the yang. Read on to find ideas on finding this balance at home, with kiddos, or in the office.
Balance for the Home
- Does this heat have you constantly using your ceiling fans to cool off? While these work for cooling things off a bit, they also create a cutting force bearing down on you. To help lessen this force, hang a crystal from the pull string of the ceiling fans in your home. This prism will help split light and send it radiating in many directions creating positive energy.
- When thinking of summer we often think of barbecues and microwave ovens to save from turning on the hot stove in our home. In Feng Shui, an unused stove often has the meaning of ignored opportunities or untapped resources. Doesn’t that just make you want to turn on your oven and cook a pizza?! Me too!
- If you have a lot of bright, primary colors in your home decor, cool it down with some lighter colors to help balance it out. Think light blues or pale greens.
- If you’re deserting your home to go on vacation, be sure to set timers to turn on lights around your space. This will help add yang energy to what could be passive yin energy that might bring negativity in.
Balance for the Kids
- I have three words for you: DO NOT OVERSCHEDULE! While you may think that exposing your kiddos to many different activities/sports in the summer is giving them wonderful opportunities, children need downtime to play at home or to just be quiet. An overscheduled child could, some day, result in an anxious and stressed adult.
- Just like us, our children need space. By cleaning out the clutter from their rooms you are helping them to find their center, allowing them to breathe.
- When decorating, consider sticking with pastel or soft blues and/or greens. These colors help create internal health and healing while also bringing a quiet sense of calm to children. If your child’s room is painted in a bright primary color and they can’t seem to sleep at night, it might be because the color of their room is too stimulating. Cool it down and help their psyche calm down, so you can all get a good night of sleep.
- Our summer schedules are oftentimes crazy busy, which means nothing happens when or how it normally does during the school year. Our children need, and often thrive on, routine. Mealtimes, as well as bath and bed times, should be at the same time every night. Keeping it consistent will help your child know what to expect which in turn can help bring calm to your day.
- Did you know that lavender essential oil is not only calming but is also anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and will help build your children’s immune system?! Get your hands on some of that goodness from mother nature stat, and diffuse or put it in the bath. You’ll be thankful you did!
Next Steps
While we are thankful for the adventures of summer that the yang energy can provide, it’ll be nice to cool things off and balance things out in the fall too. Summer is quickly approaching its end. Why not take the rest of the summer to just be together as a family? Enjoy every moment by keeping things low-key, and follow these simple Feng Shui tips to get the most out of your remaining summer adventures.
If you need guidance on how to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Notes: Some essential oils should not be used around small children, certain pets, and anyone with allergies. I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
Bright Light in Feng Shui
Correcting Overhead Lighting for Better Feng Shui
In Feng Shui, lighting represents the fire element and is the strongest manifestation of energy. It’s dominant influence on the quality of the Chi in your home means that it can help bring balance and harmony to every space you spend the most time in.
The light element needs to be harnessed in certain ways to make the most of its potential. Let us shine some light on this topic for you. Read on.
Identify the Problem
Balance is required for optimal Feng Shui. But, inadequate, poor, or harsh lighting can affect your mood, the way you feel, and your overall well-being. This is a problem. Before you can solve the problem, however, you need to be able to identify what the problem is.
A classic case of bad Feng Shui comes from homes that have a single overhead light as the only available light source in a room. This is the case for many homes and work spaces. Unfortunately, this is a huge no-no since this type of lighting makes it impossible to relax.
With the following lighting tips in your Feng Shui tool box you’ll be able to correct any lighting faux pas that come your way.
Optimizing General Lighting
If your home has rooms with that single overhead light we spoke about above, do not despair. You have options. Either remove them altogether or simply put them on a dimmer switch. This can help give you some much-needed flexibility. Try and create an overall glow to each room.
A torchiere or torchère is one type of light that can help you do this. They are large lights that bounce light off the ceiling which helps fill up the room. You can help adjust the mood by putting these on dimmer switches as well.
It’s also a good idea, crucial even, to consider how you use the space in each individual room. Use warm-toned lights (around 2700k color temperature) in restful places and cool-toned lights (around 5000k color temperature) in more active spaces. Doing this can help bring balanced and harmonious Chi to your space.
Ambient Lighting
Since ambient lighting sets the mood for any space, it plays an important role in the life or Chi of the home. It is a natural light that seems to come from all directions and encompasses an entire room.
Types of ambient light include natural light, accent lighting, or even candle lighting. It is light that supports relaxation and conversation and makes it easy to move about the space.
During the day, create ambient lighting by opening those curtains, blinds, or shades and letting the sun shine in. The greatest source of light energy comes from the sun. Sunlight brings an abundance of beauty and positive energy into any space.
If natural light isn’t available, full-spectrum lighting can be used here. Try placing table lamps around the room to create a triangle of light. Having three lamps balanced throughout the space can bring balanced Chi to the room.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is essentially concentrated lighting to help perform certain job(s). It’s lighting for a specific purpose like reading, working, or studying. Many times, task lighting are smaller lights placed in the vicinity of the couch, bed, or desk.
Perfect examples of rooms that need brighter lights are a kitchen or office/hobby room/art studio. Think cooler-toned lights, at around a 5000k color temperature, in these spaces since so much activity occurs here. These will help you balance the Chi and get the job done.
Next Steps
From today on, always think of lighting as an essential Chi adjustment to your space. Use different types of lighting to help serve the purpose and adjust the mood of any given area. When in doubt, using ambient lighting can always help you achieve better Feng Shui.
If you need guidance choosing the correct lighting for your space, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
The Importance of Home Maintenance in Feng Shui
Feng Shui teaches us how to balance the energy of our surroundings to positively influence every aspect of our lives. No surprise then that the place we call home is at the top of our Feng Shui checklist.
To-Do Outdoors
Let’s break it down like this, from the outside in. On your way back in from taking your dog for his nightly stroll, pay attention to the walkway leading up to your front door and the surrounding landscaping.
- Keeping your walkway clear and free from damage can greatly improve the chance that new opportunities will come into your life. What kind of shape is your mailbox in? How about light fixtures, doors, and porches? It’s the little things that most people don’t think of or care about that can make the difference financially as well as in your health and vitality.
- Take a good look at your landscaping while you’re at it. Severe financial hardship can result from letting your grass grow too long, or by keeping dead plants or weeds around. Keep your front and back lawns well maintained by keeping the grass short, removing dead plants and leaves, and planting colorful flowers.
- One other aspect that could make a huge difference is water. First off, make sure there are no leaky hoses or sprinklers around your home. Do not over or under water your landscaping as this can cause emotional and financial troubles. Consider adding a water feature to your landscape design, such as a water fountain. Water is a sign of abundance and represents life energy or chi, so treating it with the care it deserves should never be underestimated.
To-Do Indoors
When it comes to Feng Shui, the cleaner your home is, the better. A clean house results in better energy and a stronger life force. So… clean! Clean like you’ve never cleaned before, from top to bottom.
- When it comes to what you have in your home, less is more. Keep only the things you love and use often, and get rid of the clutter. If you want more good things to come into your life, you must make room for them. When your home is jam-packed, there is no room left for prosperity to flow in. Keep the money flowing in by getting the clutter out.
- After getting rid of all the clutter, you may notice dirt and/or scratches on the walls or doors. You’ll need to attend to this right away by cleaning, repairing, and/or replacing the walls and doors. If these things are not attended to, it can result in a feeling of hopelessness and missing opportunity. Doors are where your chi enters the home; so make sure they are well maintained, and keep the walkways clear to keep that positive energy a flowing!
- The windows in your home are considered it’s eyes. They’re how we take info in, so clarity is key here. If you’re having trouble focusing or making decisions, try cleaning your windows.
- Have you ever considered the importance of air quality while inside your home? It’s time to think about clearing the air, which studies show can sometimes be more toxic to breathe inside than the air outside. Yikes, right? Rest assured! Using specific indoor plants can help purify the air you and your family are breathing. Here are a few examples of air-purifying plants: Aloe Vera, spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), gerbera daisy, snake plant, English ivy, even Chrysanthemums can all reduce airborne toxins. Do some research and find the perfect indoor plants for your home. Breathe easy knowing that the air in your home is a little cleaner. Thanks, Mother Nature! Just make sure to keep them out of the bedrooms.
- Here’s another nature element found inside your home: water. We touched on the care and maintenance of outdoor water features, and it’s just as important inside your home. Time to fix that leaking pipe or faucet, and keep your water, and life force, flowing.
- Light is powerful in Feng Shui, and it needs to be addressed in your home maintenance checklist. If you want the ability to see life clearly and lift your financial energy, then it’s important to clean light fixtures, replace burned out bulbs, and keep lights bright (no dim bulbs).
Taking care of your home, inside and out, as things are needed or come up will greatly improve how you feel and the energy balance of your abode which can only bring great things into your life. Keeping your home both clean and well-maintained just might be what you need to bring happiness and prosperity into your life. Seem overwhelming? Let me help. Schedule an in-home consultation with me, and I’ll gladly guide you through the process!
Next Steps
As you’re maintaining your home, you’re taking beneficial steps to allow the flow of positive Feng Shui energy called Chi to flow through your home. Make sure you are attracting it into your home and that the flow is optimal by following some steps on my website.
If you are interested in improving your life through Feng Shui, I can help.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
A Recipe for Fridge Feng Shui
That giant appliance in your kitchen isn’t just a food storage container that takes up a lot of space. It actually represents two important Earth elements that rule our food and health; water and metal. Think of it as a health altar of sorts that helps you to care for your family.
Just like when learning to cook, having the right ingredients, tools, and following the correct steps will be a recipe for Feng Shui success. This will not only promote your family’s health and well-being, it but will also reward you with a positive life force which will create more abundance and generosity in your life. Read on for our recipe for fridge Feng Shui.
Ingredients
According to Feng Shui beliefs, a healthy person has a healthy refrigerator, so start by taking everything out of your fridge. Get rid of any food that is expired, leftover, or filled with unhealthy preservatives, additives, sugars, and chemicals. You don’t want a fridge that represents an unhealthy lifestyle. Keep only nutritious, healthy food that will help create a positive life force for your, and your family’s, well-being.
Wait! Before putting anything back into the fridge, follow the steps below.
Tools
In order to Feng Shui your fridge, you will need the right tools: Warm, soapy water with vinegar for a sterilized, holistic approach; Color-coded and pretty containers to help you stay organized and honor your food; Storage for any clutter that may be on the front or on top of your fridge.
Steps
Step 1: Now that everything is removed from your fridge and you’ve gotten rid of all the unhealthy food that will slow you down, it’s time for a deep cleaning. Take out the shelves and any/all attachments that can be removed, and deep clean them with warm, soapy water and vinegar. Don’t forget the inside of the fridge too. Containers leak, crumbs build up and it can leave behind a sticky, icky mess.
Step 2: Now, place everything back into the fridge, starting with the shelves and attachments, in an organized way, keeping in mind which areas would be a good choice for which groups of food. Now, use those color coded containers and get to work. Why not green containers for veggies and red ones for meats? Place all the meats together along with all the fruits, and veggies. You get the idea.
Step 3: Clean and organize the outside of the fridge. Don’t let the source of your family’s health and well being be weighed down by clutter! The top of your fridge was not made for storage. Take it all off and find other places to store it or consider getting rid of or donating anything that hasn’t been used for awhile.
Is the front of the fridge filled from end to end with magnets, coupons, photos, recipes, you name it? The front of your fridge is not your junk drawer! This is clutter, and remember what we said in a previous Feng Shui article on clutter? It’s a huge Feng Shui no-no. We suggest cleaning it off, and keep only a few things that help positively energize and inspire you. Just like the inside, if your fridge is cluttered and disheveled, it will take its toll on your health.
Step 4: Repeat, repeat, repeat! Now that you’ve worked so hard to Feng Shui your fridge, be consistent! Put things back in the correct groups. Each week, preferably before going grocery shopping, clean the fridge. Throw away junk food and leftovers. Deep clean your fridge with warm, soapy water and vinegar once every few months.
Reap the Benefits
Not only will these tips bring positive chi to your space, but check out all these added benefits:
- A healthy fridge makes you feel good and is good for you. It motivates you to make better decisions about the food you put into your body.
- When you’re consuming more nutritious food, your energy level will be elevated which can create more abundance and generosity.
- An organized fridge produces less waste which can save you money because it prevents you from buying more than you need.
- When things are organized in groups you’ll know where to find the food you need, when you need it, which will save you time.
Since the fridge is associated with wealth luck in Feng Shui, decluttering yours can help promote good family fortune, and who wouldn’t want that?!
Next Steps
Starting fresh with your refrigerator can be the first of many beneficial steps to allow positive Feng Shui energy called Chi to flow through your home. Make sure you are attracting it into your home and that the flow is optimal by following some steps on my website.
If you are interested in improving your life through Feng Shui, I can help.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Declutter to Feng Shui Your Space!
The notion of a neat and simplified space translates into less stress and less “stuff” weighing us down. However, just the idea of decluttering your home can make you feel anxious, overwhelmed, and just plain lost. Where in the world do we begin?
Studies have shown that out of all the things we keep, we will only actually use 1 in 20 items. You read that right, 1 in twenty! That’s a lot of clutter, and clutter is a HUGE Feng Shui no-no! Read on to find out the meaning of clutter in Feng Shui and some items currently in your home to get rid of now!
Feng Shui is all about positive energy flow to help keep us balanced and energized which will help welcome positive things into our lives. However, nothing new can come into your life if you don’t make room for it!
In Feng Shui, clutter is anything that is hopelessly disorganized (like that huge stack of old bills and magazines growing bigger by the day), unused (like all those baby toys your four year old isn’t into anymore), and/or unfinished (like that piece of artwork you were sure you could nail but looks nothing like a Van Gogh). It creates an inability to move forward oftentimes keeping us back from making progress.
Any space can be quickly transformed by first clearing the clutter. Getting rid of the clutter can breathe new life into both the space and you. By surrounding yourself with only the items in your home that you love and often use, you surround yourself with a strong, active energy that can bring focus and clarity into your life.
People are always saying they need to declutter but they don’t know where to start. Others feel a sense of loss when getting rid of items they no longer use. Nothing good can come from keeping that clutter around. It can make you feel overwhelmed, confused, tired, depressed, and even angry. That clutter keeps you in the past and prevents you from looking towards the future.
It’s time to get rid of clutter! Don’t like the thought of throwing your things in the trash? Consider donating some of the gently used items, or use apps like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace to make some extra cash. Feeling overwhelmed? Try taking it one day, one room, even one object at a time. Try to avoid accumulating more things. If you don’t plan on using it, don’t bring it into your home.
Get rid of some of these things now and re-energize your home:
- Possible Kitchen Clutter: expired food, expired cleaning supplies, ancient spices, mismatched food storage containers, or any item with several duplicates (do you really need five pizza cutters?).
- Possible Family & Living Room Clutter: old magazines, outgrown toys, toys that are missing pieces, DVD’s that are never watched or damaged, old dog/cat toys that were destroyed long ago
- Counter Top or Office Space Clutter: piles of old mail, expired coupons, old cell phones, unread books, read books that you don’t plan to read again
- Bedroom Clutter: worn-out or uncomfortable shoes, mismatched socks, outgrown clothes, worn-out clothing, outdated clothes (so much clothes!), broken jewelry
- Bathroom & Linen Closet Clutter: worn towels, worn sheets, unused toiletries, old cosmetics
- Outdoor Space Clutter: unused sporting equipment, worn out/broken sporting equipment, outgrown outdoor toys, broken outdoor toys
With the recent end of the school year, our kiddos are returning home with all of their projects and, ahem, “artwork” from the entire school year. Fight the urge to keep it all after you’ve taken some pictures for posterity. Consider this the first step in your decluttering journey.
Remember you are not alone! We live in an age of consumerism, where acquiring “stuff” is part of our culture, but when it starts to impact the way we think and feel, we need to take steps to change it. The hardest part is getting started, but when you begin to see and feel the benefits of a decluttered space, you won’t regret it!
Next Steps
After you’ve rid yourself of clutter, you’ve made space for positive Feng Shui energy called Chi to flow through your home. Make sure you are attracting it into your home and that the flow is optimal by following some steps on my website.
If you are interested in improving your life through Feng Shui, I can help.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Get Away with Feng Shui!
YES! Summer is here, which means warm weather, barbecues, and vacation. It’s time to get away from all of life’s chaos and surrender to fun and relaxation. For some, traveling presents a whole other level of stress because you’ll be away from the comforts of home. Wish you could take your balanced Feng-Shui-coziness of home along with you? Oh, but you can! Bring it along with you internally by setting clear intentions for expectations before setting off. Read on to find out more on how you can get away AND bring the power of Feng Shui with you!
Traveling to Your Destination
Feng Shui is all about creating a balanced, positive energy in all of one’s livable spaces. Believe it or not, this includes vehicles. The ancient Chinese art teaches that incorporating the 5 elements – earth, wood, water, fire, and metal – can help with this balance. Whether you’ll be traveling by car, train, or plane this summer, follow these helpful tips to help you and your loved ones be in harmony.
- Car Prep: Have your car inspected at a garage to make sure it’s safe for traveling long distances. Safety includes getting rid of those sometimes-toxic air fresheners. You don’t want your family breathing those harsh chemicals in the entire trip! Replace them with all-natural essential oils such as a purification oil, which can also purify the space. If traveling by train or plane, consider a diffuser bracelet or necklace which are also helpful ways to breath in the power of essential oils. If you don’t want to invest in jewelry, you can apply it topically on your hands or on your wrists to help you breathe it in.
- Clutter-Free Trip: One of the biggest Feng Shui lessons is to live a life free of clutter and garbage within your surroundings. These things can create chaos, and pull your energy down. Cleanliness plays a huge role here as well. Before taking a road trip, make sure your car is clutter free and clean, including the carpets. Don’t forget those windows! They are, after all, the eyes of your vehicle, so keeping them clean is important. The same goes if traveling by train or plane. Keep your immediate area free of clutter and garbage.
- Rock Out the Chi: Turn on your favorite tunes! Music can actually get rid of negative energy, or chi, and make you and your passengers feel revitalized!
- Hydrate: Everyone knows that staying hydrated with plenty of water is important especially in the hot summer months. Water also happens to be one of the five key elements. Representing thoughtfulness and clarity, water will help flush out negative energy caused by electronic devices. Always have your water with you while you travel, for Feng Shui and for your health!
At Your Destination
When you’ve finally arrived at your home away from home, the first thing on your to-do list should be to make sure you have a clean space. Clear the energy, and the air, at the very start. If available, burn some sage or pull out those essential oils. Help maintain this positive chi by pulling out that Feng Shui travel case you pre-packed weeks ago. Oh, what’s a Feng Shui travel case, you ask? Here’s what’s in it and why you should never leave home without one for a vacation.
- Bring Home With You: Help maintain the strength of your relationship with your family by carrying a few small photos of your most cherished times together. This can help smooth out your communication while traveling. Position the photos where you can see it when going to sleep and upon waking.
- Diffuse Some Energy: Bring along that diffuser in your bag as another helpful Feng Shui tool. Diffuse lavender oil to take advantage of its relaxing scent and to refresh your energy throughout the day. Other popular oils to consider for traveling are citrus which helps dispose of negative energy, and orange essential oil which is thought to drive away negative thoughts.
- Seriously… Clean It: I personally like to wipe down all the light switches, door handles, and TV remotes with antibacterial wipes with a couple of drops of lemon essential oils to kill any germs left behind by the previous tenants. Even the nicest hotels don’t usually clean their switches and handles.
- Neutralize Electricity: Big televisions and electrical devices can also affect balanced emotions. Unplugging and/or covering said television, as well as any other electrical devices, when not in use, may help with getting a better night of sleep when traveling.
I hope these tips can help you travel with ease, and with more excitement. Go on an adventure! Take it all in! Use those senses to see, smell, touch, taste, and listen.
Next Steps
Feng Shui doesn’t stop when you get home. Get prepared for your next vacation by planning for it with Feng Shui. Learn about the Travel Corner of your home to not only attract it, but to enhance it.
If you are interested in improving your life through Feng Shui, I can help.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know of someone about to go on a trip? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Notes: Some essential oils should not be used around small children, certain pets, and anyone with allergies. I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
