All the self-care in the world won’t be able to help you if your home isn’t the energy-filled yet calming oasis that it should be. Whether you’re out working or home all day, your home should be your fortress of peace.
Throughout my life, I have learned that caring for where you live is a kind of self-care. I’ve become addicted to HGTV. It’s the new “must-see TV” for me, and it gives me amazing ideas on how to decorate my home. That’s not to say that we still don’t live with boxes filled with things that have yet to find a spot (currently taking up space above my garage), but for the most part, our living quarters are in order. Aside from stepping on the occasional Avenger or finding the other part of an uneaten snack where I least expect it (mom life problems), things look good around here.
I’ve been reading up on how to control my emotions and state of mind. Sometimes, if I don’t have the second half of my 5-hour Energy, I’m just no good. I decided to look into how I can make my home more feng shui to see how that would affect my overall well- being and feeling.
I read Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and seriously found myself wondering what real “joy” was. The time I spent on that book, mulling it over and listing out what “joy” meant to me, you would think it was my college thesis in the making. Nope, I just genuinely wanted to put in the leg work and find out what Marie meant.
After figuring that part out (a real epiphany)! I decided to read some books and articles on feng shui and how to make your home more energized. Here are some tips that helped me re-Shui my digs to make it cozy, comfy, energized, and functional.
Where to start? Well, you have GOT to declutter. Keeping things for “just in case” is just adding to the energy drain in your home. Empowering yourself to use your decision-making skills and deciding to hold onto or ditch items can help you feel more confident. Once you’re on a roll, it will get easier to finish up with time to spare.
New, repurposed, or rearranged furniture can bring just the right amount of change you need. We can get into a funk when it comes to our furniture. They’re generally large, expensive pieces, and once we’ve chosen a spot for them, rarely do we move them. They simply become a fixture in our home that we decorate around. What if you took that bold step and moved your couch from the spot you first chose when you moved into your house or apartment? Maybe try painting that console table you parked in the entryway and use it as a behind-the-couch table. Old drawers? Paint them and hang them on your walls to create unique shelves. A little thinking outside the box can do wonders for your set up.
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your space. You can do this on a budget too! If you mosey into your nearest Home Depot or Lowes, ask them if they have a discounted paint section. I found the perfect gray paint for about $9 in the marked down section near the paint counter. Turns out, when they custom mix colors for people that don’t come out quite right, they don’t toss it. They simply discount it and add it to the shelf. Seriously it’s a real money saver, especially if you’re not committed to one particular color palette. Surprise yourself with a new color and shake things up!
Incorporate art into your décor. You could buy online, support a local artist by purchasing some of their art, or roll up your sleeves and create your own! You can find brushes, canvas’ and acrylic paint at any art store or craft store. I love the idea of creating your own. Not only does painting relax you, but it will be a piece that is uniquely you.
Finally, let’s not forget about greenery. Plants connect you with free energy. In Feng Shui, adding plants to your home not only improves air quality, but depending on where you place them, they also invite luck, wealth, and abundance. It’s an easy addition to any home, and the effect on your well-being is remarkable.