After years of study and incorporating Feng Shui solutions into mainstream practice I recognize that many of the principles of this ancient art are aligned with ‘good design’ and have been incorporated into my design wisdom.

However, there are integral aspects to Feng Shui that do not resonate with how I interact with and help clients achieve their design goals. I believe that design solutions born out of fear, frustration, and superstition are not compatible with comfort and joy and it’s these aspects of Feng Shui that I find difficult to accommodate and overcome.

Engaging in “correcting architectural/design mistakes” by masking ‘missing space’ or ‘angry corners’ is crazy-making activity and is an inherently negative approach mired in superstition. Creating solutions for personal problems through the placement of contrived art forms or purchasing items motivated by fear is not how I want to serve my clients’ best interests.

Over time, the more I incorporated Feng Shui into my practice the more I found myself fearing my own home. I began looking to solve problems by correcting layout issues or placing objects to stop bad energy from flowing and it felt as though I was only making matters worse. At times I wanted to move in order to escape the “built-in” problems I could see at every turn.

It was during one of these moments of heightened awareness that I realized that the solutions for what I was experiencing were within myself, not the house. And what I wanted my house to do for me was to be my home, my sanctuary, the place where I felt safe, where I rejuvenated and where I nurtured growth and love in order to experience my life with optimism and passion. The only way forward was through seeking solutions from some deep inner work. When I think of and refer to Feng Shui these days it is in reference to “clearing out”, making space, literally and figuratively, for better in all the things to come.

It’s important to ‘feel’ as though your home is a safe haven, and a place where you can rejuvenate and grow. 

Realigning my thoughts to match the outcome I desired was another learning through this process of clarity. To put this in context, I am reminded of many clients saying “I don’t know what I like but I sure know what I don’t like”… can you imagine from that statement how difficult it is to create what you want when you are focused on what you don’t want. In reality, what happens is you get more of what you don’t want because that is where your focus lies and it is so prevalent in your life that you know it intimately.

Creating time and space to build on your vision for yourself and your living/working environments is a critical aspect of your general well-being. Focusing on what you want, your true desires around health and family, and peace of mind will begin to create clarity around how you support achieving those goals and creating more of what you want.

A good designer can respond to things like I want a space where I can relax in peace, I want a kitchen that supports my desire to cook healthy meals, I want a space where family and friends can convene for quiet conversations or we love to party, loudly. These are the wants that are the seed of design outcomes that will answer to your aesthetic as well as your dreams and goals.

Truth bomb; YOU are the designer, you are the one creating the outcomes you experience. 

When you buy or rent a home there is something that calls to you – there is (or perhaps should be) a resonance, you fall in love with the ideas of what life could be like living there. Go with that. That’s what IS or COULD BE true. What happens inside your home is called living and there are energy places that are best used for certain activities, yet all of these are inherent in every single dwelling, no matter the layout, no matter how many people live or work there. The interior layout of that house WILL work for you and yes, you may need to tweak a thing or two, and you do this to create EASE.

Your environment is a reflection of you, and at the same time, that reflection affects you.

Your environment has a direct and meaningful impact on your mood and productivity. Ultimately, together we aim to create an environment that raises your vibration so that together we can create our world as a place where we want to live.  In reality, you don’t always need a designer to achieve these goals, what you need first, is to look inward and do the work of finding your own truth by being clear and honest – this is what begins to ‘fix’ many of the issues you are faced with today and it’s how you build on creating the life you desire.

Incorporating your mindful reflections into defining the use and needs of a space is how you manipulate your environment to support you in all of your activities of living. The creation of beauty, comfort, and sanctuary are the common and desirable by-products of this work well done and a beautiful reflection of who and how you are.

Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/spacious-living-room-with-sofa-and-tv-set-6312354/