There’s something about old houses that has always caught my attention, from the history behind them, the people who lived there, the furniture and the way the rooms were actually lived in.
All this energy disappears over time and when we decide to transform and welcome an abandoned house or house in poor condition, we should at least try to learn a little about its history so that we can experience the space in a more integrated way.
In addition to practicing Feng Shui, energy cleaning can also be beneficial, especially before construction begins, enhancing the best for this space and its inhabitants.
Outdoor spaces are also an important aspect of practicing Feng Shui, as well as using these areas as allies in our daily lives to find a greater balance between nature and ourselves as living beings.
You’re probably spending more time inside than you think. When interviewed, people in major European and North American countries estimated that they spend 66% of their time indoors. But further studies have shown that the average person actually spends 90% of their time behind closed doors (so called Indoor Generation).
The truth is that most of us don’t even realize that all this time indoors has a detrimental effect on our health and well-being, similar to a poor diet or lack of exercise. We are also unaware that pollution is often worse inside than outside.
Spending most of your time indoors, you likely don’t get enough sunlight, which leads to several imbalances such as decreased brain function, sleep quality, mood, productivity and others.
So as Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Tree Elements are always around us, we should work with them inside our spaces but also look for them outside and benefit from this source of energy in a more natural state.
If you have the chance of having an outdoor space where you spend most of your time, wether at home or work, don’t discard this opportunity and enjoy what it can do for you.
Although windows are usually less important than doors for a Feng Shui study, we should also pay attention to the “eyes of the house”.
Crucial details like shape, size, efficiency, light and location can definitely influence within spaces and, consequently, their inhabitants.
Also the view and what is outside can be something that we like to see or on the contrary, we want to push it away, as it can have a positive or negative influence on our well-being, for example a noisy and busy road instead of a mountain or birds singing in a green landscape.
For this ancient practice, the windows also provide a view of the outside world and all future possibilities or limitations.
If we have the possibility of building a house from scratch, like this country home @casal_da_cerca ,the place where we place the windows makes a huge difference in the final result where the ultimate goal is to enhance the beauty of nature into the interior.
Doors are definitely one of the most important aspects in a Feng Shui study, not only because they represent the “mouth” of the house, through which most energy enters, but also because they separate the interior from the outside world, keeping us protected.
A black door, for example, might be great for a north facing home, while a brown wooden door would be best for an east side.
So generally, in order to receive more beneficial energy at the front and back doors, we can choose the materials and colors based on the direction, but also through more accurate measurements and advanced Feng Shui calculations by professional consultants, we are able to analyze the quality of energy that comes within.
However, here are just a few simple things to invite a welcoming energy into any space:
-Have a clear path, free of obstacles;
Finding the door of the house easily;
The door must open smoothly without difficulty;
Everything must be working properly, like the doorbell, the lock, etc.
Avoid sharp shapes around and paths that are too straight.
Outdoor spaces are also very important for Feng Shui practice, although for some of us, indoors have greater importance leaving sometimes these spaces neglected.
All transformations can be observed in life, inside or outside our spaces, but if we think about it, for example the strength of the energy of the sun is more powerful than the light of a lamp.
So as fire, earth, metal, water and tree elements are always around us, we should look for them also outside and benefit from this source of energy in a more natural state, for so to speak, trying to find a greater balance between nature and ourselves.
So when we have the chance of having an outdoor space, even if it’s small, we should take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy what this space can do for us with these small tips:
Providing a sunny area, but with some shadow so that doesn’t become too hot;
A resting area with comfortable pillows and seating;
Plants and vegetable garden could be grown in pots very well and vertical gardens in walls are also a great solution;
Getting inspiration from natural and recycled materials as much as possible contributing for a more sustainable attitude;
Having a table with some chairs, turning into a great place to eat, work or read.
SHÙMÙ 