feng shui is a familiar term known throughout the world, originating in china and moving west over the past century.
Reading: How to practice feng shui
It is, simply put, the art of organizing one’s physical environment to create positive change.
That’s because feng shui is based on the idea that elements in our environment affect us through the energetic force known in ancient Chinese spiritual practices as “qi.”
if you have ever practiced tai chi, you already know qi well. It has sometimes been translated as chi and is believed to be the basic current of energy that flows between all living things.
By adjusting our surroundings, feng shui masters say, one is able to bring about real changes in body and mind that can potentially affect all other areas of our lives.
When we get rid of physical clutter, we clear our minds. when we throw away mental clutter, we cleanse our souls.
-gail blanke
Fortunately, practicing feng shui is not as “out there” as it sounds when explained. in fact, its practicality is part of why it has become so popular.
See also: 17 Feng Shui Vision Board Ideas For All Life Sectors
here are some simple ways to practice feng shui in your own home or office.
1. reduce clutter
One of the easiest and most direct ways to practice real feng shui is to simply reduce or completely eliminate clutter.
Physical objects are said to inhibit the flow of qi in things, so by reducing physical clutter, you can presumably improve the flow of qi in your living and work spaces, thereby improving your own well-being.
In a very real way, you can experience how clutter makes you feel when things really get out of hand. how do you feel when you have a lot of clothes lying on the floor of your bedroom? If you’re like many people, excessive clutter makes you feel exhausted and stressed, as if the objects around you are blocking your cognitive flow.
2. use art to foster dreams and desires
Like a more artistic version of a vision board, feng shui speaks of adding inspiring artwork within your home that reminds you of things you’d like to see happen to you.
Examples include a setting you’d like to visit, such as France or Japan, or a painting of a movie set or studio if you’d like to be a director.
for the same reason a vision board works, having a constant reminder of the things you’re working towards is a powerful tool.
3. lots of real light
Natural light is also encouraged in feng shui and this, again, is well founded in modern knowledge.
See also: 33 Kitchen Feng Shui Rules and Tips: Location, Stove, Basics
Lighting can affect mood, so strive to get as much light as possible in your bedroom, living room, and office during the day.
This totally depends on the structure of your home or office. however, the more natural light you can bring in, the better.
4. keep work out of the bedroom
Another helpful piece of feng shui wisdom is to keep work and play separate in your home (if you must return home at all).
your bedroom is a place designed for rest and feng shui speaks of the importance of maintaining an optimal environment so you can rest as well as possible.
Keep everything from your computer to desks and any other work-related items or furniture out of the bedroom. also, mute notifications while you sleep and don’t hold your phone too close to you while you sleep.
5. when in doubt, add plants
Plants are said to be a simple and easy way to improve the flow of qi.
In feng shui, plants are often used to remove bad qi, especially in dark areas of a home where the energy is said to get “stuck.” even something as simple as putting a plant in a dark corner is supposed to cleanse the area of bad qi.
Plants have been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, so it’s no surprise they’re linked to removing negative energy.
and if you are interested in which plant is better, fen shui generally suggests bamboo because it is said to have strong positive energy.