We live in a continuously changing environment. Applying Feng Shui to your home or office can create balance and help you achieve harmony in your life. When we were moving our offices at Intero, we consulted with Aelita Leto, a long-time Feng Shui master, to help us reset the workspace. Her advice proved invaluable – stop by and see our new office – we love it! We took it one step further and she came to each of our homes and helped us there too. Building on her Feng Shui tips for our homes, we added a few for your living room, bedroom, and entryway. In 2023, the Year of the Rabbit, Aelita advises us all to revisit how we feel about our home environment.
Beautify Your Space and View
The first Feng Shui recommendation is simple as it correlates with our eyesight: our vision provides inspiration to the outside world. Because of this, it’s important you maintain clean windows and mirrors. Looking at/through dirty glass clouds your view and impacts how you view the outside world. We want to enhance the internal and external connection that goes beyond our immediate eyesight.
In addition to cleaning windows and mirrors:
- Declutter the space around the windows.
- Remove objects that block your view.
- Beautify and enhance your space.
This spring we again recommend Home Smiles 18-point inspection to cover all your bases in one swoop. And if you are considering selling, check out these tips to prepare your home.
Update and Refresh Your Plants
Your view through windows is just as important in Feng Shui. With all the rain we had last winter, our plants and flowers are flourishing. The earth is rising, connecting, and showing its potential. Gardening gives you a sense of grounding because you are connecting with the earth. HOT TIP: walk around barefoot in your yard if you’re traveling a lot.
Do the following:
- Water your plants and use plant foods consistently.
- Add fresh potting soil, and repot plants if necessary.
- Mulch the plants outside.
- Create an environment for birds and butterflies to visit (bird bath, hummingbird feeder, flowering plants).
Feng Shui Your Entry
In order to reset and declutter the energy around your front door, refresh your home for seasonal change. Start by putting away the umbrellas, winter boots, and coats. If your front door is North or South facing this year, decluttering the space near the front door will provide abundance and prosperity. By adding a water feature near the front entry, you will strengthen the entry.
If the front doors are West or East facing, do the same thing, but be more conscientious.
Get A Better Night’s Sleep with Feng Shui in Your Bedroom
Follow these 5 basic Feng Shui tips in your bedroom:
- A headboard is a must in Feng Shui! Add an accent wall behind your headboard to maximize the support because this will help you have a better night’s sleep.
- Your bed should not be under a window.
- Have your bed easily approachable from both sides (exceptions for children and the elderly).
- Make sure the bed is raised above the floor.
- To allow for a balanced Feng Shui energy flow under the bed, you need to have your bed at a reasonable height above the floor level.
Be Careful Where Electronics Are Placed
Just as important to feng shui as the layout of your bedroom, make sure there are no electronics next to the bed when sleeping. Electronics cause sensory issues prior to going to sleep and will negatively affect deep sleep. The following should not be near the nightstand and/or bed:
- Phones
- ipads and tablets
- Computers
- Chargers
- Plugs
Hot Tip: If you do use your phone as an alarm clock, it should be plugged in across the room. When you use your phone as an alarm clock, you start every day with your phone in your hand. And then what happens? Yes, you check the weather, texts/calls you missed, social media or your email. As a better option, find a traditional clock that doesn’t make a loud ticking noise that will disturb your sleep. We recommend the Hatch Restore as a sunrise and gentle alarm.
What Do You Notice When You Wake Up?
When you wake up in the morning, what do you notice first when you open your eyes? What is your first impression? Ask yourself a few of these questions:
- Do you feel rested or anxious based on what you see when you open your eyes?
- Do you notice the color of your room?
- How is the artwork hung?
- Is your desk piled high with paperwork?
- Is the laundry basket in full view reminding you of housework?
- Are there any adjustments you can make to enhance your waking moments in your bedroom?
Reflection: Journaling and Spending Time in Nature
Journaling and dream practice are critical in the Year of the Rabbit. If you aren’t journaling, now is a great time to get started. We like this one from Amazon (right). Journaling can help you release tension or stress in your life. Because it can be emotionally revealing, use it for the following:
- Dreams.
- A word of gratitude daily.
- Self-Reflection: this will be important as we approach the Year of the Dragon in 2024.
- In addition, spend time writing more personal notes to friends, family and other connections.
Make a Commitment to Nature
Make a commitment to spend more time in nature. Connect with the outdoors on a weekly basis. In addition, bring your family or a close friend along for a walk in the woods, hike on a trail or bike ride on a local path. Even better, bring your journal with you. And then notes about what you are observing and experiencing.
When you return home, revisit your journal. What opened your eyes when you were out in nature? Did you pick up a stone or a feather? Practice journaling, silent meditation and open-eye meditation in nature, utilizing your journal. Observe the beauty of flowers blooming, bees flying from bloom to bloom, the leaves on the trees, and more.
The Year of the Dragon in 2024 is predicted to be grand and very fast-paced. Because of this, allow yourself to get in sync emotionally this year by purging your emotions and healing.
Aelita Leto: Feng Shui Consultant
To find out more about Aelita’s Feng Shui recommendations, Chinese Astrology, and Design Services, book a consultation with Aelita Leto today.
Thanks for Reading the Our Blog
We hope you enjoyed this informative blog on Feng Shui recommendations. Please reach out to Jaime _ Julie for any questions or comments you have. Even if you aren’t in the market, we’d love it if you’d pass along our information to those on the lookout. We love living, learning and working in this area!
