We often think about the health of our bodies. Sometimes these thoughts extend to the health of our living spaces, but these worries are almost always about the physical aspects of our surroundings. Concerns like non-toxic building materials, a lower load of plastics, HEPA filters, no moldy drywall from China, sustainable furnishings – these are all the typical concerns that the general population contemplates in regards to a healthy home. But what most people DON’T think about is the psychological and energetic health of their home. These two invisible forces can tremendously affect your well-being. Here is a checklist of what to look for:
- Do you have trouble sleeping yet have any of the following in your bedroom: exercise equipment, fast moving imagery (ie., artwork of crashing waves instead of a placid ocean scene), bold red colors, stacks of unread books and ongoing To-Do lists by your bedside? All of these things are not conducive to a peaceful nights sleep. Remove them all and make sure your artwork and paint colors are peaceful and calming. Any kind of unfinished business – whether its a work-out you didn’t do, books you haven’t read or a list of unfinished tasks – will loom over your subconscious and prevent a relaxed state of mind.
- Are you in the midst of a painful divorce, yet have belongings from your Ex left throughout the house? The energetic ramifications of having physical reminders in your intimate space that represent a painful or sad time are not life boosters. Remove them.
- Do you have a bunch of furniture in need of repair or other broken items around your house that you can’t seem to let go of? The feeling of wanting to “make it better” and fix items in your space that are now just dust collectors and reminders of what you have not completed are energetic drains on your psyche. Either sell, donate or give them to someone who can use them, ASAP.
- Do you surround yourself with things you don’t even like but feel obligated to keep? Holding onto stuff that does not uplift you (think Marie-Kondo-style-of-does-it-bring-me-joy?) is a major drain on your spirit. Unless you absolutely love it and/or use it regularly, let it go! You will feel lighter and happier and not like another cog in the wheel of consumerism. Living with less stuff = living happier.
- Are you stuck in the past and have a hard time moving on? If this is your situation, chances are you have not updated your decor in years. Start with a relatively small switch – like moving your bed or desk. This (literal) new position will help kick start a fresh perspective in other ares of your life and it will be easier to start switching things up elsewhere. Start small with items like some new pillows, a throw, a welcome mat and then move on to bigger items.
- Do you feel like life is a struggle? Look around your home to see where else you are struggling. Do you have a front door that sticks and is hard to open? When you enter your home, do you immediately walk into a wall? These scenarios add to a feeling of helplessness. Its like having a picture of a mountain in front of you at work. Put that mountain behind you so that you subconsciously don’t feel like life is an uphill battle!
Once you start seeing your home as your teacher – as a mirror for your challenges – you will never look at your issues and your home in the same way again! Think about your specific challenges in life. How might they be symbolically manifested in your space? We often subconsciously create scenarios that mimic our greatest fears or deepest emotional issues. Once you have your Holistic Feng Shui eyes on, you can easily address the mind, body, spirit and space aspects to create a healthier you and a healthier space!
xo
Laura
photograph by Susan Fisher Photography
