Years ago, I discovered feng shui (the art of creating a harmonious environment), and my spiritual path blossomed.

Today, amidst a rather busy spiritually-based writing and teaching career, feng shui continues to provide a strong foundation for my serenity, my inspiration, and my joy.

Clearing clutter literally and symbolically clears the way for blessings to flow into my life experience. Creating beauty and harmony in my home translates instantly into experiencing beauty and harmony within.

That’s why I want to share these five feng shui tips that will help you create more serenity in your life.

1. Clear clutter from one of these key areas.

Clearing clutter is rule number one when it comes to creating serenity.

When we release the things that we no longer need, use, or love, we streamline our energy fields and mental landscapes. And getting started is often the hardest part. Once we do, we free up stuck energy, which feels great and inspires us to continue.

The only way to clear all the clutter is to start with one area at a time. That’s why, instead of clearing clutter indiscriminately, I like to select one area and make it glow with the radiance of elegance and organization.

Try starting with your fridge, your car, your bathroom storage areas, or your clothes closet. (Of course, if another area is calling to you, that’ll work too.) Then, if you want to do another area the next day (or week or month), go for it!

2. Cover your television.

Nothing improves the serenity of a room quite as instantly and thoroughly as covering a black television screen. It reclaims the room from the specter of mainstream entertainment, hides the design-killing blankness, and encourages activities other than watching television (like meditation, yoga, having a conversation, or reading a book). So if your television isn’t already covered by an entertainment center door, try covering it with an attractive tapestry or cloth.

3. Don’t have anything under your bed.

Even though I might not be able to see if there were things stored under my bed, on some level, I would know they were there. And so would you!

Storing things under a bed creates a palpable feeling of stagnation in a room. On the other hand, a bed with nothing under it makes for a more buoyant feeling—one that encourages restful and rejuvenating sleep. If you worry that there’s nowhere else for that storage stuff to go, see tip number one.

4. Sit in the power position.

Are you one of those people who always wants to see the door from your seat in a restaurant? That’s because you intuitively sense the importance of the power position.

When we can see the entrance to the place where we’re sitting, we feel safer, more grounded, and more in control of our environment. This is true whether we’re in a busy restaurant, an office space, or our living room.

So as much as possible, it’s a good idea to create seating positions that allow the seated party to see the door. But pay particular attention to the areas where you sit regularly. If it’s not possible for these areas to be power positions (in a cubicle or a living room with limited design options for example), employ a mirror to help you see the door from wherever you normally sit.

5. Let your doors have their full range of motion. 

In other words, remove anything that inhibits your door from opening as fully as it otherwise might. This would include furniture, stored items, and anything bulky hanging on a door.

This is because when your door hits something every time you open it, it is subtly annoying. Over time, like water dripping on a stone, this annoyance adds up and affects your everyday energy levels and mood. Additionally, a door with an inhibited range of motion is an affirmation of limitation, which will not fail to appear somewhere else in your life.

On the other hand, free flowing doors that open easily and fully will contribute to a sense of harmonious flow. This will translate to fewer hassles in your life, and a much more serene and enjoyable life experience all around.

~

Author: Tess Whitehurst

Image: Author’s Own

Editor: Catherine Monkman