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Helpful Clutter Clearing Tips

Getting rid of clutter opens up space for new opportunities and possibilities to come into our lives. Give it a try and see what happens! We think you’ll also find that it will uplift your spirit and create a more harmonious living environment.

— Make it easy: Try 20 minutes a day. No strain, no sweat. That’s 2.33 hours in a week and a realistic 9.33 hours in a month and 112 hours per year. Imagine what you can accomplish!

— Work on closets or rooms one at a time. For example, start in the foyer closet, onto linen closet and finally clothes closet. Don’t try to do everything at once!

— When in doubt, move it on and make room for something new

— Gift something away or do creative giveaways like a clothing swap among friends.

— Get a clutter-clearing buddy to help keep you accountable.

— Get in the habit of living clutter free:

• Make bed daily
• Empty wastebaskets regularly
• Keep your floors free of any loose items including stairs and entrances
• Stop clutter before it starts.
• Before you buy it, ask do I really need it? Do I really love it?
• When something comes in, move one item out. (You know if this pertains to you!)

 

— Get Organized:

• Create a set place for your mail with a trash can nearby
• Have a place for kids’ stuff – toys, coats book bags
• Put things you use often in easy to get to areas
• Make it easy to put things where they belong
• Get a filing cabinet and use it
• Write messages and notes down in a notebook rather than little tiny pieces of paper
• Use bulletin boards only for current pieces of information
• Store similar items together
• Label boxes
• Store seasonal items like holiday décor and winter clothes.
• Hire a professional organizer if needed, but know that they don’t usually address emotional and spiritual causes.

• Bring financial paperwork up to date – taxes, checkbook balancesRemember, anytime is a good time to clear. Clear at least once a year, when starting something new, after a vacation, etc. Just do it!
• Don’t forget to de-clutter your car and purse!

 

— Keep Motivated: Check in with the Pa Qua and take note of how your life is changing. Celebrate your accomplishments![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Our top 10 Feng Shui Tips offer easy solutions to enhance the energy or “chi” in your home

Whether you’re new to Feng Shui or have been practicing it for years, we hope you will find these tips helpful as new information or reminders to help keep your Feng Shui on track.

1. Be mindful of clutter. Eliminate it from your home or office whenever possible

Here’s why: Clutter creates energy blocks in your home and can result in stagnation. Clearing clutter opens space in your home, improves the flow of “chi” or energy, and makes room for new things to come into your life.

2. If it’s broken, fix it. That includes small things too, like the burned out light bulb

Here’s why: Broken items disrupt the flow of chi in your home and are symbolic of your life not operating optimally in this sector. Fixing the item demonstrates your preference for life to work smoothly.

3. Don’t make your TV a focal point in your home, and if possible, enclose it. Keep it out of bedrooms

Here’s why: Communication between family members or housemates improves when TVs are not a focal point. In bedrooms, the electronic nature and reflective screen surface of TVs disrupt sleep and detracts from the primary purpose of your bedroom as a sanctuary for rest.

4. Remove or cover mirrors in a bedroom when sleeping.

Here’s why: Just as with TVs, the reflective surface of mirrors can disrupt your sleep. Give it a try and cover your bedroom mirror with a large scarf. We think you’ll find the room both darker and energetically quieter.

5. Whenever possible, sleep with your head along a solid wall and with a solid headboard.

Here’s why: Sleeping against a wall provides you with solid support. In Feng Shui terms, the solid wall and headboard are considered a mountain of support.

6. For adults, sleep in a bed built for two with matching bedside tables and lamps on each side.

Here’s why: A bed for two indicates that you have or are open to a relationship with a significant other. The matching tables and lamps on each side signify balance and equality between the couple.

7. Do not have water features like fountains or aquariums in your bedroom.

Here’s why: In Feng Shui terms, moving water in a bedroom can contribute to a loss of prosperity.

8. Keep bathroom doors closed and toilet lid downs.

Here’s why: The good energy or “chi” will flow out of your house down the drains and toilet in a bathroom. Keeping doors and lids down prevents the loss of this chi.

9. Think balance, ying and yang, in decorating. Find a happy medium between light and dark, heavy and light objects throughout your space.

Here’s why: One of the primary objectives of Feng Shui is to create harmony in your environment. By balancing the décor in your surroundings, you create harmony in your home and an atmosphere that is comfortable.

10. Create conversation areas when arranging furniture. Place furniture such as couches and chairs across from each other, or for ideal flow in a circular or octagonal configuration.

Here’s why: When you, your family and guests can sit comfortably across from each other, this allows for communication and conversation to circulate freely.

Some Feng Shui is better than no Feng Shui!

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How Does a Feng Shui Consultation Work?

This blog on “How does a Feng Shui Consultation Work” addresses the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients considering a consultation. Our goal is simple: To make you feel as comfortable as possible, so you can get the most out of your consultation. If your question is not answered below, please feel free to email us or call  716.863.8561.

FYI:  That’s a photo of a Chinese LoPan. Basically, it’s a professional Feng Shui Compass that Linda will bring to your consultation.  More on compass readings a bit later.

What is a Feng Shui Consultation?

A Feng Shui consultation is a professional Feng Shui analysis of your home. The analysis is conducted room- by- room to help you create balance and harmony throughout your space. By working with the recommended natural elements, you can create optimal Chi (energy) flow and support your personal empowerment. During the consultation, Linda will explain how the elements relate to color suggestions, shapes, materials and furniture arrangements in your home or office.

Who will do my consultation?

Linda Ellson, President and Owner of Feng Shui Your World and a certified Feng Shui Practitioner with over 18 years of professional experience conducts all Feng Shui consultations both residential and commercial for the company. To learn more about Linda, please read her bio.
How does the consultation begin?

Linda begins the consultation by taking a compass reading of the direction of your home and working with the Flying Star formula used in classical Feng Shui to analyze the energetic patterns of your space. Then, she will share the results for those readings as you tour the home room-by-room together. During the tour, she’ll make recommendations on what will best support your space. In addition to color recommendations, Linda may include suggestions such as placing a potted plant in a particular room or changing the position of your bed.

How long will it last?

The average consultation last 2 hours depending on the size of the home or office.

My house is a bit cluttered. I feel awkward about Linda coming to my home.  

Clutter is a growing issue in our culture as we gather increasing amounts of stuff.  Therefore,  Linda regularly encounters clients dealing with this issue. (She’s even held a number of seminars and discussion groups on this topic for clients over the years). There’s no judgment in the consultation. Linda’s goal is simply to help you move forward in life through the use of Feng Shui.  Our experience shows that implementing Feng Shui principles into your home can begin to help shift the energy in your home.  As a result, it can actually be easier to de-clutter. So, please put aside your hesitation and contact us for a consultation. Read our blog on “De-cluttering with Feng Shui” for some easy tips to help you.

What will I need to prepare for my consultation?

Linda will need the year your home was built and the years of any major renovations (these are updates that alter the footprint of your home such as changing the placement of doors or windows and any additions.) She’ll also need the date of birth of all individuals residing in the home. If you have a copy of your floor plan to share that is a plus! Then, sit back and relax. Take a few minutes to think about what is important in your life and how you would like that to unfold. Feng Shui helps to both create a comfortable environment in your space and empower your life goals.

Is Feng Shui a religion?

No, not at all. It is a theory of energetic forces and patterns that was discovered and developed by ancient Chinese sages over three thousand years ago. Basically, Feng Shui looks to balance the elements of nature (water, wood metal, earth and fire) in your environment through the use of color, shapes, materials and layout of your home or office. The same basic principles apply to other Chinese arts such as Qigong, Tai Chi and acupuncture.

What if my partner/spouse or family is disinterested in Feng Shui? Or, even a bit resistant to the idea? 

First of all, know that you are not alone. This is a fairly common response. The nature of ‘resistance’ varies greatly and each situation needs to be individually addressed. In some cases, while a family member is not receptive, he or she simply doesn’t want to be involved and is not particularly interested in what color a wall might be painted or how furniture is arranged.

Often times, it is simply enough to conduct the Feng Shui consultation when the person is out of the home or business. In other cases, there may be a territorial feeling about a personal space, such as teenagers sometimes have about their rooms. And that needs to be respected. Lots can still be done throughout the rest of the home. Then in other instances, there may be misunderstandings of what Feng Shui will involve. That it will be expensive, necessarily disruptive or require the living space to reflect a particular décor style. None of these are true. If you are scheduling a consultation and have these concerns, please discuss them with Linda. She will gladly share her experience and provide suggestions based on your particular situation.

How do I schedule my Feng Shui Consultation?

Simply email us or call us at 716.863.8561. Please include your name, telephone number and time of day you are looking for an appointment. From there, Linda will contact you with some potential dates. Appointments are available throughout the week at various times to accommodate today’s hectic schedules. Feng Shui Your World is headquartered in the Buffalo Niagara region.  If you live outside a 50 mile radius of the area, phone and long distance video consultations are available. Or, Linda will gladly travel to your location for a travel fee to cover the additional expenses involved.

How does a remote long distance Feng Shui Consultation work?

Linda offers long distance consultations remotely by phone, Skype, Facebook Video Messenger or Zoom. Prior to your consultation, she will ask you to provide the same information as for an in-home consultation. This includes the year your home was built and the years of any major renovations along with a floor plan.  Major renovations are updates that alter the footprint of your home such as changing the placement of exterior doors or windows and any additions. If you don’t have a copy of your floor plan, we’ll ask you to do a rough sketch. This will give Linda a sense of the layout of your home. She’ll also need the date of birth of all individuals residing in the home.

With this information, she’ll then begin her behind scenes analysis for you. Linda will prepare working copies of the Pa Qua map, power direction charts and a marked up floor plan if you have it.  Prior to your call, she’ll email all the documents to you.

How much does a consultation cost?

Please contact us to receive a quote for your particular home or business as pricing can vary based on a number of factors. This includes size, property type (residential or commercial), complexity of the space, and if travel will be required.

Additional Resources:

Check out these articles from our online library to learn more.

“Linda Ellson: Feng Shui for the Home”
Learn the basics about Feng Shui in this interview in Buffalo Spree Magazine with Linda Ellson, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner.

“A Home (or Office) in Total Harmony”
Discover how Teresa Lawrence used Feng Shui in her home to create harmony and balance.

“Art of Feng Shui Employed in Buffalo Offices”
See how Feng Shui helped create a productive and harmonious work environment for two businesses.

For a personal Feng Shui consultation,  please email: linda@fengshuiyourworld.biz or call 716-863-8561.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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How to Take a Compass Reading

Here’s how to take a compass reading of your home or office in three easy steps. It’s an essential part of Authentic Classical Feng Shui and when working with the 8 Mansions Pa Qua. Both of these Feng Shui styles are directionally based. As a result, the facing direction of your home or office is of primary importance in interpreting your home’s energetic patterns.

With your compass reading, you can also identify the direction of the four walls of your home.  You can then use Feng Shui principles for the placement of furniture and beds. Also, you can use compass readings to identify the best place to face a desk or TV in your home or office. In classical Feng Shui, compass readings are also used with special formulas to identify the specific elements to best boost and support your particular space.

Whether you choose to use the 8 Mansions Pa Qua on your own, or engage a professional Classical Form Feng Shui practitioner, an accurate compass reading is how it all starts.

Now, let’s get to work and take that compass reading:

1. Get a Compass:

 A basic scouting compass, which you can hold in your hand and turn the face or dial and shows degrees, is a good choice. It can easily be purchased at a local sporting goods store or online. If you have a smartphone, another popular option is to download a free compass app.

2. Find the Facing Direction of Your Home or Business:

The facing direction is defined as the most open view to the most open space. Typically, this is the side that faces the street, which is considered the most yang side of a building. If you’re unsure, here’s another tip to help you. Count the number of windows and doors on each side of the building. Generally, the side with the most doors and windows is the facing direction.

Special Notes:
– Waterfront properties: If you live on waterfront property the facing side is typically the side that faces the water, as the view goes out far and wide.
– Apartment or condo dwellers: If you live in an apartment or condo building on the fifth floor or above, your facing direction will be considered the side of your apartment with the most windows. This will be the side with the most open view to the most open space.

3. Take Your Compass Reading:

For best results, take the compass reading outside your home. This will minimize any metal disturbances that may affect the magnetic needle of your compass or any electromagnetic frequencies affecting your phone.  (Please note: If you live in an apartment or condo, on the 5^th floor or above, you will need to take the reading from inside facing the side with the most windows.)

Walk out the front side of the house away from any cars, as big metal objects that may throw off your compass reading. Stand facing the street with your back to the building and point the compass towards the street or other identified facing direction (e.g., lake for waterfront properties). Look down and note the degree on the compass in front of you at the top 12 o’clock position. This is the direction your residence faces. From there you can see where the other directions fall in your home, and do individual compass readings of rooms.

Tips for an Accurate Reading: 

 – Take a reading at the back of the house to double check the reading you got at the front of the house. At the back of the house, walk out to the back of your property, turn around and again face towards the street and take a reading.

– Take readings with a couple of different compasses. A scouting compass and a smartphone app or another compass should be sufficient.

– Keep your compass or phone away from large metal objects, magnets and electronic devices such as TVs.

As a professional Feng Shui practitioner, I will often use a scouting compass, my phone and a traditional Chinese Lo Pan Compass, which is predominantly used by traditional classical form practitioners. But you don’t need to invest in something so sophisticated to get a good reading.

Keep Your Compass Handy:

Directions play a big part when it comes to changes and shifts in yearly energy and where the animal sign is residing in a given year. This information can help you maximize the energetic patterns in your space and identify the best places to dig, renovate or leave undisturbed in a given year as well.  So, always be ready to take out your compass!

To learn more about Feng Shui, please read our blog:  “What is Feng Shui?”

For a personal Feng Shui consultation,  please email: linda@fengshuiyourworld.biz or  call 716-863-8561.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui (pronounced foong –shway) literally translates to wind and water.  Most simply, it is the ancient art and science of placement, which links people to their surroundings to promote success in life, health, love, wealth, and happiness through the awareness of the flow of chi (universal life-force energy). Continue reading What is Feng Shui?