What do you think of when you hear the words "Feng Shui"? Does it conjure a reaction of "Oh, I don't believe all of that woo-woo stuff"?

Well, I can totally get that. Really, I can.

But what I have found while working through my Feng Shui journey is that there are many benefits to following the Feng Shui philosophy that have nothing to do with the principles of furniture arrangement or color themes. They are simple steps that anyone can take to bring more harmony, abundance, and well-being into their life.

Let's take a look at three of them:

1. Reduce clutter - clutter is like visual noise. It's disruptive and discouraging. Trust me - I am a recovering clutterbug. I told myself that it's "just the way I am." For decades.  Literally decades. 

But what I have found is that by taking things step by step, room by room, it really does make a difference in my outlook once I get my clutter under control. It's amazing. (And this is a work in progress. It doesn't happen overnight.)

2. Good deeds - Feng Shui promotes the belief that the energy you put into the world is reflected back to you.  Doing good deeds daily is a part of this. 

Now, am I saying that doing good deeds will magically make your life better? Well, yes and no. There's no magic to it, this is true. But I have found that helping others helps my mood and my outlook. And it doesn't have to be a big thing or for charity. Send a card to a friend. Send a cheerful text. Find small ways to make a difference.

3. Life balance - we hear a lot of about this now, right? But usually it's about work/life balance. That's important, but it's not the whole picture. It also means a balance for other things:

• ​Rest and work
• Eating habits
• Activities and relaxation
• Noise and quiet
• TV and books

Plus a lot more. 

This is just a snapshot of how Feng Shui can bring positive change into your life without moving a stick of furniture. 

Want to get started? Just reach out to me and let's talk!

Mask wearing has been a common practice for over a year now. We're used to seeing every masked up for safety, and I am a proponent of this. As someone who would get seriously sick every winter, it has been very eye-opening to see how much masking, hand sanitizing, and hand washing have helped my general health over the past 14 or so months (COVID concerns aside).

But I have a confession - I miss seeing people smile. Sometimes you can see it in their eyes, but not always. And I smile a lot. I like to brighten people's day, even if it's only a little.

So I stumbled across a mask online that has a clear panel in it so you can see the mouth of the wearer. I bought a 4 pack. (I soon bought more.)

And my world changed. Immediately. Significantly.

People would stop. They'd stare. They'd ask questions. They'd make comments.

"Where did you get that mask?!"
"Oh, it's so nice to see a smile again!"
"I love your mask!"

Little kids give some adorable reactions, too. Their eyes widen. They laugh and giggle. They stare. They point. They tug on their parents' sleeve and point to show them my mask.

I've given away over a dozen masks, mostly to teachers who have stopped me to ask where I got my mask. (The answer is Amazon, but you can also search the web for "clear panel face mask" or "face mask deaf or hard of hearing." If you find a good non-Amazon source for them, let me know. I'd love to try them out.) 

I also found out how much we use facial clues to convey meaning. Again, it's very eye-opening. It's so much easier to share humor - my grin tells if I'm goofing around or I'm serious. 

​I hope this post helps someone. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments. :) 

​Part of having good feng shui is clutter management. If anything, clutter is the biggest hindrance you can have for the best flow of chi, prosperity and goodness in your life. However, few people are able to manage their clutter wisely. On a daily basis, we get tons and tons of stuff we won’t be really using for a long time. Here are some tips for you to help reduce clutter and invite good Feng Shui. 

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 1: Sort your mail as it comes in

Incoming mail is one of the top sources of clutter. All those bills are not just stressful if mismanaged and stashed somewhere in your home, but it is also contributory to clutter in your home. If you are really serious about getting good Feng Shui, make sure that you are able to screen your mail. Establish a system for sorting all your mail. And this also holds true for other papers you may be keeping in your home. If you neatly categorize them and throw away the ones you no longer need, you will be much better off.  (Another option is to go paperless - less clutter and trees will thank you!)

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 2: Opt for daily cleanings than reliance on major general cleanings

A general cleaning schedule is good, but if you are still not in the habit of cleaning on a regular basis, you may still find yourself with a clutter problem. So the best thing to do when you are trying to apply good Feng Shui is by exercising your cleaning powers on a daily basis, not just on a schedule. It does not have to be too rigorous if done on a daily basis. You can just start with the cleaning per day one area at a time to accomplish it effectively.  (Try it 10 or 15 minutes at a time.)

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 3: Clean as you work

While working on a project, clean as you go. This means that you will not just leave stuff lying around on the table as you do your work. This ensures that the work space remains clean, and this also implies that you are open for more productive work in the future since the space is wiped free of any traces from previously done work. (I'm working on doing this as I cook. Makes it a lot easier afterwards.)

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 4: Be generous about your stuff

Give away the stuff you don’t need. This is a rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning up and freeing from clutter. Being generous involves giving away stuff you don’t really need to use. What you won’t use for a long time and will sit around collecting dust may actually be an answer to somebody else’s problems. Just make sure that you are not transferring clutter but something that can really be of use to the person you are giving it to. 

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 5: Dust frequently

Dusting frequently helps keep your place clean. Dust, when accumulated, also forms the clutter which we are really trying to avoid in Feng Shui. It also symbolizes neglect of your home and possessions.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip 6: Evaluate your stuff brutally

If at all possible, have a friend help you evaluate your stuff at home. What you may hold dear and refuse to part with is not just a sign of bad Feng Shui but may also be a sign of not being able to let go. Aside from addressing your Feng Shui issues, the mindset on clutter may also have to be dealt with accordingly.   

I hope you enjoyed these tips! remember, I'm happy to help you with abundance, harmony, and good luck! Just reach out with any questions.

​Many people are fascinated with Feng Shui, with good reason. Feng Shui is actually comprised of various schools of learning and incorporates the different cultures under which it is housed. 

There five advantages that Feng Shui can bring if you actually open up your mind to try it. 

Advantage Number 1: It brings balance to one’s life

Have you ever found yourself completely overburdened with clutter and unnecessarily stressed out of your wits? Chances are, you are suffering from a visual imbalance of some sort in your surroundings. The best way to introduce some sense of balance is by incorporating elements that provide you with a sense of control in the outer balance of things. If you are able to get some semblance of balance even in things as menial as your furniture, you are bound to find balance in other aspects. 

Advantage Number 2: It helps you become more mindful of the little things

Mindfulness in the little things can actually be a good thing. Some of us tend to be heavily focused on the big things of life that even the minor details like home arrangement and office ergonomics no longer come to play. When these “minor” aspects of life continue to take a backseat, they tend to accumulate and produce a very stressful environment which can add up to other problems and worries of life.

Advantage Number 3: It gives a fresh perspective

At any given time, a fresh perspective is always welcome. This positive perspective can invite changes for the better. A new way of looking at home arrangement, for example, may actually serve to benefit you in the long run. The fresh perspective brought about by Feng Shui can actually bring about an enrichment of one’s mind. 

Advantage Number 4: It invites prosperity and success

The main objective of Feng Shui is to invite all the good things to one’s life. Prosperity and success can be more easily within reach and a positive disposition may be expected if Feng Shui is practiced well. 

Advantage Number 5: It has aesthetic appeal

On top of all the enumerated benefits of Feng Shui, the best would probably be its beauty. The physical appeal of a well-decorated home, interspersed with good Feng Shui techniques, is actually something that you can call a personal heritage that can transcend generations and promote beauty in all aspects, including design of the home and the office. 

I'd love to help you invite harmony, prosperity, and success into your life. Please request a quote or contact me if you have any questions.