A recently released study claims that approximately 40% of Americans are now working from home on a full-time basis as a result of changes COVID-19 brought to the U.S. labor force. Many employers, in fact, eliminated offices and maintained that employees can continue to work from their homes.
As a result, lines between home life and working space are increasingly blurred. With that said, now is a great opportunity to relook at our homes and create some harmony with the use of feng shui, the Chinese system of laws aimed at directing the flow of energy. In other words, positioning an object in relation to its environment can produce favorable or unfavorable effects.
According to the author of "Om for the Home," Carrie Leskowitz, “There is a lot of intentionality and intuition in feng shui. If your home is clean and loved, you bring in things that are useful, necessary or bring you joy – that is good feng shui.”
There are eight bagua, or “areas,” in the feng shui energy map: fame, love/marriage, creativity, helpful people, career, spiritual growth, health and money.
The bagua is the main tool used to analyze feng shui energy for each area of a home or workstation. Here are five easy tips to follow even if you have never heard of feng shui before or are a novice.
1. Get rid of clutter
This might seem obvious, but to many of us, it’s hard to let go of things we have been keeping for so long, such as old receipts, newspapers, magazines and the list goes on. Begin getting rid of things by perhaps starting in one area of your home. For instance, maybe you start with your magazines or your sock drawer. By starting small, the task won’t seem overwhelming. Getting rid of material things you no longer need can be a cathartic process that can create more space in your life, both spatially and metaphorically.
2. Go green
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, think about adding some greenery to your home. Place some easy-to-care-for houseplants like aloe vera, Chinese evergreen or a jade plant. Consequently, plants like jade are believed to bring good luck, wealth, prosperity and good fortune in feng shui. Another auspicious plant is the money tree, with its braided stem and bright green palm-like leaves, it is best placed in the southwest area or “wealth/prosperity” bagua of your home (to find the map, just Google "feng shui energy map"). If there are other plants you are drawn to and are meaningful to you, go with it. A little bit of green can do wonders for any room or workspace.
If the thought of caring for plants is daunting, a great option is to place fresh flowers on your countertops or tables. An affordable colorful throw blanket from Redbubble can brighten the room. Your home should make you smile and want to be there. Feeling content and joyful creates energy that can help you throughout the day and spill into other areas of your life. redbubble.com.
3. Workspace wow
If you’re working from home, setting up boundaries is important to maintaining a balance. Dedicate a room or area where you will be working, taking calls and holding Zoom sessions. It would be wise to find a space where disruptions are at a minimum, so living rooms would most likely be out. Invest in a proper desk such as Teknion’s Carrier Desk, a modern update on the classic writer’s desk with built-in organization compartments. teknionstore.com.
Vertagear’s PL1000 chair is built for comfort, providing lumbar and neck support for users who are sitting the majority of the day. Featuring built-in lumbar support, an adjustable memory foam neck pillow and adjustable seating, you’ll find it won’t wreak havoc on your posture (vertagear.com/products). With proper seating and a room set up mainly for work, you’ll find it refreshing to step away and attend to personal tasks.
4. Evaluate your bedroom
As much as you structured your workspace environment to be organized and professional, think of your bedroom as your sanctuary, where rest and rejuvenation take place. Make sure it’s a setting of comfort, making you feel relaxed and refreshed, far away from the stressors of the world. Splurge on some high-quality sheets that are seasonally appropriate. For instance, in the summer months, cotton sateen sheets and a cotton comforter will keep you cooler. In winter months, flannel sheets and a down comforter will keep you warm and toasty. Your retreat is a space that reflects you, so adorn the walls with pictures and things that showcase what brings you joy.
Check the lighting in your bedroom. Soft lighting can create a relaxing space. Balmuda offers a lantern that will light up your space with a soft glow. Lightweight and elegant, the brightness is adjustable by simply turning the knob. The light will change from a fluctuating candlelight to a warm white light. us.balmuda.com/collections.
5. Use of crystals
Crystals, natural gifts from the earth, help to enhance feng shui. Choosing specific crystals and setting an intention may help to increase energy and create balance and harmony. The gentle pink tones of rose quartz can cultivate qualities of love and self-love. Amethyst offers vibrant purples, infusing energy and spiritual growth. Whether you believe the stones can do anything mystical or not, it is true they can add beauty to your home.
6. Pay attention to your health bagua
The health bagua is the central area of your home and affects all aspects of your life, especially health, wellness and energy levels. This area can be enhanced with elements of wood, lush plants and flowers. The colors in this section are browns and greens, so a wooden picture frame or wood furniture can be a good addition. Since this bagua is associated with health, it is extra important to keep the space free of clutter.
Feng shui provides some practical ideas along with common sense to declutter and enhance your home. Start with small changes and you'll find they lead to other improvements, providing positive benefits to your health and wellness.
Do you have suggestions on what has worked for you? Please them leave in the comments.
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