 Even if you’re not a yogi, you can feel the effects of imbalance in your space. Often, you can’t exactly put your finger on it. You just feel “off” or you just wish you could feel more peaceful, and have a little more tranquility at home. Or maybe you have plenty of that and wish for more joy, fun, or relationship!
Energetically, when elements in a home aren’t balanced, that’s exactly what happens. You may feel an imbalance in: Clutter vs. Space This looks like stuff “out of bounds” stacked on top of surfaces, on the floor, and overflowing from closets, dressers and storage spaces. Papers, stacked, leaning toward the floor (or recycling container). Dressers that can’t close easily because there are too many things inside, and mementos, especially photos, holding court in the basement or attic. EDIT your belongings so that you are only keeping the things you need or love. Everything else has to go!!!! Light vs. Dark When there is not enough light or windows in a space, the room takes on a quality of a cave, feels dark and usually stuck. This may include rooms with low ceilings, dark paint or paneling, poorly placed lighting sources or few windows. Some simple cures for this incongruity is thoughtfully placed lighting, better light bulbs, and mirrors (not necessarily to look at yourself a lot :) but to bounce light around)! The Elements in a Room There is A LOT to know about this topic (the ancient art/science of Feng Shui)! So, just to get you thinking about it a bit, I’ll give you one example...If a room has terra cotta tile floors, golden-colored paint on the walls, art that depicts horizontal lines, and low, horizontal furniture, it will feel s-l-o-w and you may not be able to GET GOING! You may feel depressed or stuck in the mud. But if we balance this earthy feeling room with some wood and mirrors, the result could have you movin’ and shakin’ in no time! The Placement of Items in a Room Again, a HUGE topic, one that people have studied and written about for eons. The placement of your furniture has a palpable effect on how you feel in your space. In the living room, for example, place your sofa so that when you are sitting on it, you are in the position that gives you the best view of all of the windows and doors in the room, especially the front door. This should put you in a position of command! The other pieces of furniture, then, are placed to easily have conversation with the sofa, and provide balance to the room. You can imagine how you would feel if everything in the room was shoved to one side. YUCK! So, that’s a quick way to know that balancing the placement of your furniture really does matter. Other aspects of a space that need to be in balance: Art, textures, color, pattern, old and new. As you can tell, it’s a bit complicated, but not impossible! Sometimes it takes a trained eye to make a shift in your space compelling. Along with helping people get out from under their clutter and disorganization, I have been apprenticing with Feng Shui master, Jackie Patricia, for 2+ years and have witnessed incredible results for people when their spaces become balanced. Have you been wishing some of the spaces in your home could have new life? Do any of the above imbalances apply? Consider giving thought to balance in your home. And, if you’d like some support to get you to a new balanced place/space, contact me, I would love to work with you! If you have questions or comments on this subject of BALANCE...let me know in the comments below: Love, Jane
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There is a lot to understand about the topic of energetically clearing a space. Use your intuition to decide what is right for you. Many people have studied and practice space clearing, call one if you need a professional! If you are stopped in your tracks after editing and clearing out a space, you have kicked up some stagnant energy...old boxes, furniture, papers, etc. hold old, stuck energy. This release can wreak havoc on you physically and emotionally. So, take a break from the space, get some fresh air, drink lots of water, and then give some of these a try: There is a lot to understand about the topic of energetically clearing a space. Use your intuition to decide what is right for you. Many people have studied and practice space clearing, call one if you need a professional!
If you are stopped in your tracks after editing and clearing out a space, you have kicked up some stagnant energy...old boxes, furniture, papers, etc. hold old, stuck energy. This release can wreak havoc on you physically and emotionally. So, take a break from the space, get some fresh air, drink lots of water, and then give some of these a try: 8 Tips to Energetically Clear Your Space 1. CLEAN! Mop, sweep, scrub EVERYTHING! The walls, floors, ceiling, furniture, closets, windows, EVERYTHING! 2. Open the windows/door and run a fan out the windows (blowing out the stagnant energy) 3. Light a candle, Put in fresh light bulbs and leave ON the lights. 4. Put a high quality crystal salt in open containers around the space to absorb the energy. 5. Diffuse essential oils such as Sage, Cloves or Lemon. 6. Party! Turn on some music, bring in the pots and pans, bells and go to town! 7. Arrange to have the items that are leaving the space taken away and off the premises as soon as possible. 8. Set the intention that the space will go forward filled with light and love. I would love to hear from you! If you find yourself feeling the way Lily did, give one or more of these ideas a try! And let me know how it goes in the comments below. Lots of love, Jane   Life is zipping by quickly and, if you’re like me, fitting in fun, family time, work, chores and errands, you can get off-track fairly quickly if you’re not paying attention. Your space, especially your kitchen, can support you remarkably well if it is organized and appealing! In one kitchen this summer, we ended our editing/organizing work with a few lovely enhancements. This kitchen was already gorgeous! With concrete counters, beautiful barn wood cupboards, delicious papaya-colored paint on the wall, and stunning hardware and appliances. One corner, however, seemed a little forlorn (and if you’re feng shui-y at all, it was the wealth corner!). It was a deep corner with a little vase made from recycled paper with peacock feathers in it (cool,but from a distance didn’t play to it’s full potential). Every time I looked there, I saw what was possible. By enhancing just that one little bit of counter space we could really make a difference! So, we found a gorgeous green glass vase (really big!) and filled it with HUGE money plant branches (why not???). The difference was so dramatic that a neighbor kid (teenage boy) wandered in and blurted out, “WOW! What’d ya do to the kitchen? That looks COOL!” We took it as the highest compliment (and those of you with teenagers know...it really IS)! The new vase/branch combo was stunning (and instrumental) in bringing up the energy of not only that corner but the whole kitchen, which of course rippled out to the entire home. The ripple effects are amazing and if you’re still with me on the feng shui angle, the client received incredible news about a potential boost in finances not long after the kitchen had been upgraded! I have worked in a few kitchens this summer (including my own, if you read the newsletter too!) and have noticed some common threads: 1. Kitchens are the heart of a home. Kitchens are where we nourish ourselves with good food and drink; it’s where the food prep and cooking takes place. But it’s also where the action is! (Ever been at a party where the real party was in the kitchen?) It can also be where homework, backpacks or mail collects, and where home office tasks are completed. Allowing for all of these functions in your kitchen will give you extra ease and flow in your everyday life. Do you need a bench or stools for people to sit and socialize or “help” the cook (Paige?)? Hooks for backpacks and satchels? A mail station? Baskets for homework, bills to pay? 2. Kitchens have too much stuff! It is true and even more critical in the kitchen that “Less is More” ~Robert Browning, 1855. Edit every cupboard, drawer and pantry shelf by taking each space one at a time and following the rules:
If space in your kitchen is at a premium, the “have-tos and the somedays” are taking up precious real estate and could most probably find a good home somewhere else. 3. Kitchens are tough to keep organized! When putting things away after editing, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
4. Kitchens need a little love, too! Take a fresh look at your kitchen, now that the insides have been purged and whipped into shape, what could you do to make it beautiful? Would some fresh flowers do the trick? New dish towels on display? Rearranging or upgrading art, adding a mirror? Possibly enhancing the lighting? And one of my favorites...adding something sweet or surprising to the inside of a cupboard to make you smile! Nothin’ like a laughing Buddha to greet you in the morning! Here’s your kitchen challenge: Pick just one drawer, shelf or cupboard and take action...create some magic for yourself! And, let me know how it goes in the comments below. Big Love, Jane 
How can Your Space Support You?
I watched Carolyn Wonderland (a performance artist) a few weeks ago on a small stage in Wisconsin, positively ooze and gush her beautiful gift out to the world. It sparked something in me. In every moment of our lives, isn’t that what we all want? To be so connected, so plugged in and so in the flow of such marvelous energy?
EVEN IN OUR WORK? EVEN IN THE SMALL MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES? These questions have popped into my head from time to time, I have been inspired by some AMAZING teachers, friends and mentors, even those in my life who some would call enemies (inspiration can come from anywhere. ;)) I do not pretend to know all the answers to these questions, isn’t that what life is for? Sorting it all out? I have pieced together a few ideas and every day I make a choice to go the direction of MORE fun, joy, and connectedness. Here is my list: ~Breathe and Be Present! (For me this includes: meditating {I’m starting tomorrow}, walking and yoga.) ~Get out of your Head and Into Your Body! (my favorites: walking, rollerblading, dancing, singing (in a crowd or in private!)) ~Hang out with People you LOVE! (this may also include passionate people who inspire you, some that challenge you, and maybe it’s just some good old alone time!) ~Get Crafty! (Crocheting, what else is there?) ~AND, (my favorite…) Attend to your Environment! Let’s do a little meditation… Picture yourself in your most joyful and happy state. You’re free! The birds are singing! The flowers are in bloom! Then picture your living space. Do the two feelings match? Is your space resonating with the version of you in the flow? Are you at your happiest and most full of joy in your own home? Did the sun shine? Or did the thunderclouds appear? Wouldn’t it be great to do something about it? Our spaces and our belongings make a HUGE impact on our lives and on our way of showing up in the world:
Any item in your space that does not lift you up or is not absolutely necessary for your existence has GOT TO GO, it messes with the FLOW! Attend to your space, edit your belongings, make things beautiful and watch the magic happen! I would love to hear about what happens for you when you consider a more simple and beautiful space for yourself, please let me know in the comments below! And, as always, I would love to support you if you make the decision to dive in...just contact me… Love, Jane PS: If you want to make sure to continue receiving the blog + newsletter, sign-up here and we will add you to the list! |
Jane Antonovich
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