Changing the Tone of Your Home with Feng Shui

Tips to release negative energy

by Stephanie Dempsey

When it comes to Feng Shui, maintaining balance is critical to your mental, spiritual, physical and financial health. Recently the economy has undergone a lot of changes, which can affect the feel of your home. Here are some simple but powerful adjustments that will allow you to chart a steady course during these uncertain times. Whether you want to keep your job, need to find another or desire to change the entire course of your career, the following Feng Shui cures can help.

If You're Stuck in a Rut
A lack of opportunity can prompt serious feelings of hopelessness and despair. Rather than giving into these feelings, be sure to fight them with Feng Shui. Cut down on the amount of Earth energy in your home. Take up a constructive hobby, like gardening, jewelry making or furniture restoration. With a little luck, you'll be able to sell the fruits of your labor. Stay away from bland neutrals like beige, brown, sand and cream; you're better off with clear, energizing colors like leaf green, violet and aquamarine. Introducing more plant life into your home can also keep the doldrums at bay. As you learn how to make plants flourish and grow, it will get easier to let go of the past and become more adventurous.

If You're Emotionally Numb
Fear of the unknown can cause you to break away from comforting relationships and familiar places. This is not a good idea during trying times. Stay connected to your nearest and dearest by reducing the metal energy in your home. Throw a party, complete with loud music, twinkling lights and fabulous food. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a festive event. Replace light, reflective colors like white, gray and silver with warm shades of scarlet, vermillion and pink. Get into the habit of cooking more. Filling your house with the fragrance of food will make it easier for you to engage with others. Wearing cologne or using scented body lotion can also help. Activating your sense of smell is a great way to jumpstart your heart.

If You're Sad
A deep sense of loss often results in exhaustion. If you're spending lots of time sleeping or crying, you are suffering from an excess of Water energy. Soak up all that excess emotion with soothing earth tones like chocolate brown, honey and avocado. Stay away from dark, depressing colors like black, midnight blue and dark gray. Invest in baskets, boxes and bins for your storage items. Stowing possessions out of sight will keep you from brooding over inconsequential matters. If you really want to keep sadness at bay, volunteering can help. Channeling your energies into a good cause will give you a renewed sense of power. With a little luck, your good works could transform into a great job, creative opportunity or romance.

If You're Burned Out
Some people cope with fear by diving into work. However, all work and no play can quickly turn to exhaustion. When this happens, you need to reduce the wood element in your home. You can do this by exchanging bright, clear colors like green, purple and aqua with light, reflective tones of white, light grey and silver. A big, shiny mirror can also lighten and brighten the atmosphere, making it easier for you to let go and have fun. Last but not least, clear out the clutter. Begin with one junk drawer or crammed closet. The more spare your surroundings, the easier it will be to slow down and smell the flowers. Get rid of distractions like big piles of laundry, messy work areas and heaping piles of mail.