Feng shui is the art of arranging your environment in a harmonious way in order to support a healthier, happier and more balanced life.

Although feng shui seems like a mysterious and foreign concept to us Westerners, it’s actually a very practical system of ideas and solutions that make sense for those who approach the world in a holistic way and enjoy connecting to nature.

The foundation of feng shui

Feng shui is based on three universal concepts:

Everything is alive. Even inorganic objects possess the ability to influence us in some way. For example, a metal sculpture may seem inert but is alive because it is made of organic material and because of the energy of the artist in its creation.

Everything is interconnected. Our physical surroundings are a direct reflection of our inner belief systems about ourselves and our lives. Exploring this principle can lead to powerful change.

Everything is changing. Physics tells us that everything is in motion. As we learn to embrace change, rather than resist it, our lives become connected to the natural synchronicity and flow of the universe.

When considering a space, feng shui design consultants consider the principles of safety, clutter and the creation of environmental affirmations.

Safety

Each of us has ancient programming related to our survival. These are simple practices we live by daily, such as not having our backs to a door so we can see who is coming and going. Our subconscious is aware of these things even if we’re not. It registers sharp objects as weapons, so feng shui encourages being aware of these shapes and softening or eliminating them from one’s space or landscape to reduce stress.

Clutter

In feng shui, anything that we do not love, that is not useful or that does not reflect who we are now is considered clutter. We collect, we accumulate and we procrastinate on dealing with these items, and they become piles in rooms, closets, basements, attics and garages.

We are energetically connected to everything we own, but having excessive objects in our physical surroundings keeps us stuck in the past. It’s stressful to be unable to find something when we need it, and it’s expensive and time consuming to replace something we have but cannot find.

The real crux of the clutter issue lies in how to tackle it effectively. It can require working through the mental programs that keep us attached to what we don’t want or need in order to make room for what serves us today. This can take time, but is the most powerful first step in getting energy moving in our lives.

Feng shui also applies the concept of clutter to health. Chinese medicine uses a basic metaphor of five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal and water—to assess patient health. To treat a long-standing health condition, we must clear out older, deeper impediments to health to give our bodies the best possible chance of using the nutrition and lifestyle habits we’ve adopted later in life. Space is assessed in much the same way as in feng shui design.

Environmental affirmations

Environmental affirmations are the final placement of color, furnishings and décor that we consider when designing a space. These choices influence anyone who spends time there.

We breathe and move freely in open spaces. We feel safe in warm, nurturing, inviting environments. Balancing these two extremes is the goal of feng shui design.