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While for many mindfulness can be somewhat of a vague concept, there are ways to make it less abstract. This is especially true when you use Feng Shui as a path to mindfulness. This ancient Chinese philosophy is not just about where you should place your furniture; it is about energy, intention and awareness. Below, I’ve listed a few easy tips to get you started.
How to use Feng Shui to live a more mindful life
#1. Clear the entrance
In Feng Shui, the entrance of your home is called the Ming Tang. It is considered an area of transition between the energies outside your house and your personal energy indoors. It is believed that a cluttered, dirty entrance prevents fresh energy and new opportunities from entering your life, and you should therefore always keep your entrance clean and tidy.
Does this actually work? Well, there’s a reason I put this one first: I have experienced its effects first hand. Years ago, when I was just starting out as a freelance writer, I didn’t really have a buffer and basically lived from payment to payment. Most of my clients paid on time, but not all of them. Once, I had invested a lot of time in a huge project. I send the client an invoice, but after two months and two reminders they still hadn’t paid me. I tried calling them but the accountant was always unavailable when I called. Since I had put so much time into the project, I didn’t have a lot of other payments coming in that month. I was broke and desperate. In a couple of days I wouldn’t even have any food. Then I read something about stagnant energies and how cleaning your front door can help to “get the flow going again.” I was sceptical but didn’t really have anything to lose, so I went to clean my front door, both inside and outside. An hour later, when I checked my bank account, the payment had come through. Coincidence? Maybe. But things like these have happened more often after that, so I’m pretty much convinced that it works.
#2. Fix anything broken in your home
When you ignore broken objects in your home, you set an intention of neglect. Broken appliances, as well as chipped paint, loose floorboards and dead plants, will block the flow of positive energy that surrounds you. Since water represents abundance in Feng Shui, it is believed that leaks (a leaking faucet, for example) will drain your finances. A burned out lightbulb can keep you in the dark about future events. A broken mirror prevents you from seeing clearly, just like dirty windows prevent you from identifying any opportunities that come your way.
So when you notice something in your home that requires your attention, don’t procrastinate. If a broken object is not worth repairing, just throw it away. If there is something you can fix, however, you should do it as soon as possible. If you fix what is not working in your home, you can also fix anything broken in other aspects of your life.
#3. Create balance with the five elements
Feng Shui strives to create harmony in your home by balancing the five elements: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. If you have the feeling that something in your home is off and you can’t really put your finger on it, you may be missing one of the five elements – or have too much of an element.
- Water is associated with purification, movement, abundance and emotional flow. You don’t necessarily need a giant fountain in the living room to bring the water element into your home. You can also use blue colours, curved items or images of calm water.
- Fire is associated with passion, taking action and fame. While you definitely need the fire element for balance (lighting a candle is an easy way to bring it into your home), be careful with it. Playing with fire increases creative energy but can also get out of control quite fast, and make you burn out.
- Earth is associated with stability, security and staying grounded. You can bring this element into your home by decorating with earth tones, or putting some crystals on display.
- Metal is associated with clarity, focus and awareness. You can implement this element with metal items, but decorative items in metallic tones work just as well.
- Wood is associated with growth, new life, creativity and health. The best way to incorporate this element into your home is by getting house plants, so that’s easy. Stay away from artificial plants, however; these will cause the energy to become stagnant.
Final thoughts
Objects, environments and people all have a tremendous effect on your energy. By taking the time to mindfully observe your home, you can create a space for yourself that welcomes more positivity and abundances into your life. Feng Shui is a very powerful tool to be more present, increase your awareness and create the future that you want for yourself. Even if you’re not fully convinced, let’s be honest: it can’t hurt to give that front door a wipe, right?
Also read: How to create a mindful home office
