How I Used Feng Shui to Transform My Loft
The fundamental concept behind Feng Shui is the belief that the arrangement of objects and spaces can affect the flow of energy (often referred to as "chi" or "qi") in a given area. By optimizing this energy flow, Feng Shui aims to promote harmony, balance, prosperity, and well-being in one's life.
Did you know that in ancient times, Chinese doctors ALWAYS asked their patients about their homes? This was essential in establishing the right diagnosis and the best treatment. That's how important your home is! The popularity of traditional Chinese medicine is undoubtedly skyrocketed in past years. Traditions such as acupuncture, tai chi, & gua sha are all methods of true healthcare. Feng Shui is considered in this same category. Feng Shui originated over 5,000 years ago in imperial China and for a long time was kept a secret practice used only for upper class.
A good Feng Shui consultant can find out a lot about you just by seeing your home. From the floor plan and the way you arranged the furniture to the images and colors (or lack of them) and other decor items-they all reveal the workings of your inner world.
Western culture is hyper-focused on design when it comes to our home, but a beautifully curated home is a foundation of how we live and nourish ourselves. Remember, there is no right or wrong kind of home. This is the beauty of Feng Shui, you get to create a place that allows your best self to shine through.
“A luxurious home doesn’t always mean expensive furniture & famous art, it’s about creating an environment that brings you pure joy.”
In order to support your health and well-being, the Qi in your home has to be fresh and full of vitality, and flow with ease. A simple test to see if your home Qi is good for you or not is to sense how you feel right upon entering your home.
Do you feel peaceful, calm, and happy, or do agitation and restlessness come to you? Do you feel tired all of a sudden?
SIGNS OF HAPPY HOME QI
Here are the signs that your home Qi is happy and working hard. to create goodness in your life.
When your home Qi is working for you:
You feel at ease and happy with yourself.
Your life seems to flow well, and even if you encounter setbacks, they tend to be resolved quickly.
You have a good relationship with yourself and those around you.
You are in good health.
You have a happy and satisfying intimate relationship, and your family life tends to be happy.
There is a sense of exploration and wonder in your life.
There is laughter and a sense of joy in your home.
You feel peaceful and calm, and when things don't go the way you want, you feel okay about it.
You feel grateful for your life.
SIGNS OF STAGNANT OR BLOCKED QI
Here are the signs that your home Qi flow and quality need to be corrected because you and your home Qi are not in harmony.
When your home Qi is working against you:
You tend to feel irritable and constantly look to improve your life rather than enjoy it.
Your relationships tend to have a lot of turmoil, or they end abruptly.
You are not happy with your career, and you struggle financially.
You dream of a happy intimate relationship and do not understand why you fail to attract a good partner.
Your health fluctuates dramatically.
You often feel low in energy and leave the projects you dream about for later.
Boredom and lack of enthusiasm are states you are used to.
You feel isolated in your house and in your life.
You are not enjoying the present and would rather think of the past or get lost in an imaginary future.
No matter how hard you try, accomplishing your goals and dreams seems to elude you.
How I created Feng Shui in my new home
Keeping the entrance to your home clean
This is a key fundamental element to Fung Shui. Keep the entrance to your home as clutter-free as possible. No shoes thrown everywhere, coats or anything. It is believed that this allows for good energy to enter your home. Qi needs to flow freely in your home, if it cannot because of clutter, this will cause the energy in your home to feel stagnant.
Incense and smudging
Purify your space with natural incense or by smudging it regularly. I personally love Copal.
Walk around your space and let the smoke purify each and every area of your home. It is highly recommended to keep the windows/back door open so that the stale energy can leave. I like to say a prayer during mine, do what you feel works best for you.
An affirmation I like to repeat as I’m doing this is “I can create a nourishing home no matter where I go”. I do this a couple times a week.
Focus on the Feng Shui health trinity (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom)
The state of these three rooms in your home are crucial when it comes to for your health and wealth, so be sure to create and maintain the best possible quality of energy there. Clean and clutter free is the beginning of all good Feng Shui work. Good lighting is crucial in these spaces. Especially lighting that feels warm and inviting.
Never have a TV in the bedroom.
Open up the space under the bed.
Warm up your bathroom with color and decorate it with spa-like decor to create a restorative atmosphere.
Are there items you don’t need anymore that have been sitting at the bottom of your cupboard for months? Donate them!
Begin to think of your bathroom as a spa, and treat is as such.
Use your “best” items everyday. You know the PRECIOUS items I’m talking about, a high end facial serum, your best plates, even your favorite olive oil. High grade, intentional living is about using your best quality, everyday.
Replace all lonely, dark images with images of happy love, exciting adventure, unlimited curiosity, kindness, laughter, or other positive things.
Clean up all your counter surfaces; there should be only a few essential items on them.
Bring in life
Inviting nature into your home improves air quality and adds a sense of serenity.
As for plants to avoid, the only rule is to avoid dead or sick plants. You want your plants to exude vitality and strong nature Qi, not stale, dead energy.
A wise guideline when it comes to decorating your home with plants is to avoid plants with sharp leaves in your bedroom, such as the yucca tree or snake plant. This does not mean that these plants are bad feng shui; their strong protective energy is just not suited for the bedroom. Instead, they can be an excellent choice close to the front door or in the living room.
Keeping the entrance to your home clean and tidy.
No shoes thrown everywhere, coats or anything. Keep this area as clutter-free as possible. It is believed that this allows for good energy to enter your home. Qi needs to flow freely in your home, if it cannot because of clutter, this will cause the energy in your home to feel stagnant.
Curated, not uniform
Creating a home is an ongoing, individual process. For some, it can mean complete minimalism. A clear space with no noise. For others, it could mean developing a collection of meaningful items such as art, objects, love letters, etc. Don’t stress about “filling out” your home immediately, this is a process that is meant to take time.
Books + objects we’ve collected over the years. Some new, some old.
One of the main uses of feng shui is to create an environment that exudes vitality, health, happiness, and well-being. Even though this idea sounds easy, there are many complex layers that one needs to go through in transforming a home into an oasis of healing and happy energy. However, going into complex feng shui layers without first addressing the very necessary basics will not work; a good foundation has to be created first. If you try any of these, let me know what your thoughts! I’d love to see how you incorporate Feng Shui into your home :)
