Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a tiny space? It’s a very popular topic these days and for good reason. When we have less to take care of and pay for, we are freer to explore our interests in life. Essential Feng Shui Practitioner Sophie Glasser and I discuss her ‘Tiny House Within’ adventures, and her blog https://tinyhousewithin.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/settling-into-tiny-land/ keeps us apprised of her ongoing journey. After our conversation, she commented that another great reason to downsize is to make it easier to Feng Shui the space. And I agree! My husband Brian and I recently moved from a 2,000 square foot home to a 750 square foot apartment. This allowed us to cherry-pick the furniture and décor we loved the most and let go of the rest. We now live exclusively with what we love, a condition that brings us joy every day.
artist unknown- please let us know if this is your artwork!
By Terah Kathryn Collins
For over 20 years, I’ve encouraged people to live with what they love and surround themselves with things that make their hearts sing. So what happens when the time comes to let go of things we love? I’ve been immersed in such a time for the last couple of months as Brian and I prepared to sell – and quickly sold – our home of more than a dozen years. Even when I took a break to visit Karen Abler Carrasco I was sorting things in my head…. and my heart…. It can be quite jolting to say goodbye to so many beloved belongings. Here are a few ways we made it as easy on ourselves as possible:
Each item in our closets, drawers, and cabinets has a tale to tell about why it’s still in our possession. Contemplate what each item is “saying” to you. Is it scolding you for gaining weight or being clumsy? Is it broken, torn, or something you never liked? Listen and learn from the things that “bring you down,” and once you’ve heard what they have to say, let them go. Now’s your chance to open up those closets, drawers, and cabinets, step fully into the present, your place of power, and let go of anything that doesn’t have nice things to say. In so doing, your self-respect will soar.
Feng Shui Definitions: Closets, drawers, and cabinets
Closets, drawers, and cabinets are often the clutter hideaways and stagnant backwaters of a home. They can negatively affecting the flow of Ch’i throughout. The house may look orderly until you open a closet or drawer- then all clutter breaks loose! There’s no place to hide in Feng Shui! The organization and pleasing arrangement of closets, drawers, and cabinets is as important as the organization and arrangement of your living room.
Please don’t be overwhelmed. Take it one spot at a time. Keep the items only if your answers are positive! If not, let them go, knowing the Ch’i in your entire home—and your life—will benefit (see decluttering guidelines).
october is always a happy month. fall takes the spotlight, standing + delivering the magical abundance of this season’s holiday glitterati. so, before we nestle into our nooks for the sheer delight of it all, how about a few shui tips + tricks to mobilize these good vibes + keep the marvel of it all uninterrupted?
LIGHT UP.
replace burned out bulbs + stock up on light bulbs for the long nights ahead. when lights are left burned out, we lose our own spark. and, honey, that spark matters. light is majorly symbolic of life force — which fuels our ability to connect with others, keeps our courage simmering, and encourages us to live with an open heart. so, step into the light + brighten up your space. illuminated rooms + homes draw real power. how’s that for easy magic?
ATTACK THE ATTIC.
it’s the time of year where we can quickly feel weighed down from the additional pressures of seasonal gatherings + shopping + daily upkeep. at that same crossroads, we often find ourselves in the attic hauling out boxes of seasonal decor. so, let’s power shui. revisit the attic’s contents while you’re up there + release what you can. a few mindful edits – do i want this? do i need this? – will have good cheer swirling around in a snap. trust me, this one endeavor knows how to shift the holiday frenzy into a season that is more at your leisure + less on your back.
CLEAR THE GUTTERS.
house maintenance is never fun, but these pesky chores can become serious scene stealers if left unattended. so, clean the gutters of debris + dead leaves. leftover foliage represents dead energy sitting on a house — and metaphorically, that is two thumbs down. it’s an afternoon well-spent to clear this space, making sure everything is aligned properly and water can flow easily. oh, did you hear that? your house is exhaling at the thought of hollow gutters. and a happy house equals a better life for you.
WEAR A SMILE.
you know all those photos on your phone + Instagram? how about a quick rearrangement of familiar framed photos with a few of your latest snapshots? your sweet family + friends’ faces on display will tell the story of good times, and that fresh vitality will get happy-gather-round-vibes bouncing in your home. plus, it gives company + guests a glance at your adventures + celebrations throughout the year. talk about delicious conversation!
REVEL IN COZY.
while fall is undressing everything outside, it’s all a go-go for feathering our nests inside. look for textures and colors that suggest cozy embraces + comfy gatherings. and while you’re at it, rotate the couch cushions. doing this once a year adds life to your linens + furniture, keeping you from feeling stretched thin and saggy.
BONUS : as fall starts ushering us indoors, take a quick inventory of your wall space. are they empty or filled to the brim? maybe a few walls would LOVE a new layer of paint, or even a cheeky splash of color. whatever is happening at eye level represents RIGHT NOW. so, if the walls are empty, this might suggest a fear of commitment. do you feel a resistance about moving forward in life? hang something that speaks to the life you want. and if the walls are suffocating, you might benefit from a few clear breaths. take everything down, and leave the walls bare for a week. only hang back what you LOVE. in shui, a little here + a little there always adds up to a life you LOVE.
Enjoy this article “Feng Shui Your Purse” from Alumni Rosanne Rusnock! Visit her at elementsandenergy.com
When we take care of something, we lovingly nurture its energy. We give it our attention and care. In our Western world we usually take physical objects for granted, forgetting they embody a spiritual essence that someone else created out of matter. Matter is energy manifested. The #1 Feng Shui Principle is “Everything is alive with energy.”
Your purse, for example, how you maintain it is connected to how you take care of your money. There is an energetic correlation between the overall condition of your purse, where you keep your day-to-day money, and your overall finances: the microcosm of the macrocosm. Keep your purse tidy and well maintained, and expect your finances to improve.
Want to boost your prosperity and abundance in just a few minutes? Try these 5 quick and easy steps to energetically revitalize your purse and wallet.
1. Elevate your money. Keep your purse off the floor.
In many cultures it is viewed as very inauspicious to place your purse on the floor. Think about it? Watch those who have money and those who do not. There is a definite difference between the relationship the rich have with money and the poor have with money. Are you treating your purse or wallet with respect? See your purse as the recipient of your larger money picture and place it with honor on a chair, counter or favorite niche, never on the floor.
2. Keep your purse and wallet streamlined and immaculate. An orderly purse equals orderly finances. (Habits flow into other habits)
Remove receipts immediately and store them elsewhere. Receipts represent money going out so keep a few deposit slips in your purse, which represent money flowing in.
3. Where do you keep your keys in your purse?
Keys open doors symbolically. You want easy access to your keys, and access to opportunities that come your way. Keep your keys in the same place each time to ensure ease in your life, allowing the most amazing opportunities to come to you.
4. When your purse starts to show signs of wearing out, its time for a new beautiful purse to house your wealth.
This could symbolically transfer to you feeling a drag in your money situation. Buy a new purse before your current one shows much wear and tear.
5. Keep a few million dollar bills in your wallet and ALWAYS at least one real $100.00 dollar bill.
Each time you open up your wallet you will see wealth and abundance, reminding you that you are wealthy. Keep your large bills in the forefront so every time you open your wallet you see BIG bills. Imagine all the items you could by at this moment if you chose to use your big bills. You have to feel abundant in order to attract abundance. This energetically keeps you in the flow for more abundance to come in because you are practicing the feeling of financial security and well being.
Your purse, for example, how you maintain it is connected to how you take care of your money. There is an energetic correlation between the overall condition of your purse, where you keep your day-to-day money, and your overall finances: the microcosm of the macrocosm. Keep your purse tidy and well maintained, and expect your finances to improve. 
