During the darker and colder seasons, the rhythm of our lives become slower, and our orbits shrink. For many of us, home becomes our entire ecosystem. The messes seem to pile up faster, and there are multiple, daily frustrations that come up from so much time indoors while spring is calling us to expand and explore.

I can feel the restlessness of the wood element, ready to branch and bloom. Seasonally, it’s time to wake up sleepy qi (energy) and clear away anything sticky or stuck, either literally or figuratively. Even though our movements out in the world may step back, we have many opportunities to move the energy inside our homes with feng shui.

Feng shui harnesses our intention to cultivate homes that affirm and empower us. We have the opportunity to bring our mindful and compassionate attention to the mundane tasks of keeping a home. Spring is naturally a time of uplifting and vibrant energy, and we can use feng shui to invite it into our homes, boosting our own well-being and vitality.

Open the Front Door

The main entry is the symbolic mouth of the home, the gateway between our public and private lives. What is coming and going here? Is it nourishing, or the qi equivalent of junk food? In feng shui, the entryway is the top priority for clearing and enhancing to attract positive energy into the home. Our doors may not be getting much use, so consider opening the door daily to keep this channel activated and allow for fresh energy to enter. 

Even a mild winter can leave debris at the door. As you clean, look for anything that needs additional care and attention. We can make use of our time at home to take care of maintenance that may have fallen down the list of priorities.

• Set an intention to welcome new opportunities and energy into your home.
• Remove any fall or winter décor.
• Wipe everything down: the door, any trim or moldings, doorbells and knockers, mailboxes or mail slots, kickplates, outdoor lighting, planters – everything.
• Check for anything that sticks or might be hazardous.
• Sweep inside and outside of the entryway.
• Shake your welcome mat out, and consider if it needs to be replaced.

Make your Bed

While Naval Admiral William McRaven and I may come from different approaches, we both understand the importance of making our beds daily. After the entryway, in support of our well-being, the bedroom is the most important area to attend to. 

We spend so much of our lives in bed. It is where we are our most vulnerable. Where we go to sleep and dream, explore intimacy, and lay our daily concerns to rest. Many of us retreat, metaphorically hiding under the covers. This is a powerful time to create a safe and nurturing space for rest. Start by simply making the bed. Qi loves to flow, and a neatly-made bed allows the qi energy to meander unfettered.

Look for anything that might be nagging at you with a list of to-dos: piles of laundry to be washed or put away, unused exercise equipment, a computer or work area that isn’t screened off. These things can drain your energy. Move or screen whatever you can to allow for beneficial qi to nourish you.

• Set an intention to create a space that supports and protects you while you rest.
• Wash any and all bedding, fluff pillows, etc.
• Open the windows and turn on lights to bring in fresh air and lift qi.
• Move your mattress a little, even if it doesn’t require flipping; movement shifts energy. *Skip this step if you have been trying to conceive.
• For even more of a lift, set your mattress outside in the sun to air out.
• Dust headboards, footboards, and slats.
• Look for any hazards overhead and consider moving anything heavy or sharp.
• Look at the symbolism of any art hanging in the room, and make sure its message is supportive.
• Check under the bed for dust bunnies, stray Legos, and subconscious fears.
• Clear your nightstand of anything you don’t want “chatting” at you all night.

Clear the Kitchen

In feng shui, the ability to store and prepare healthy food for ourselves and those we love is a blessing. Warm, nourishing food reflects our prosperity and good fortune, improving health and well-being. As we gather to eat together, we create connections and community. Approach your kitchen with an abundance of compassion, setting an intention to nourish yourself and your people. We can create an opportunity to slow down and nourish ourselves.

Find a way to connect food with your community as much as possible. Use technology to virtually share a meal or drinks, connecting to those friends and family you may not normally get to spend time with can lift spirits and enhance connections. While cleaning the entire kitchen is beneficial for moving qi, feng shui prioritizes the stovetop and the refrigerator because of their association with health and abundance.

• Set an intention to make space for celebrating the blessings of good food, vibrant health, and loving community.
• Find new homes for anything stored on your stovetop.
• Wipe down all surfaces, knobs, burners, and grates.
• Test all of your burners to ensure they are functioning well.
• Remove everything from the refrigerator and sort out any debris. 
• Clean surfaces, bins, and seals.
• Wipe down bottles and jars as you put them back.
• Organize similar things together as you replace food.

Cultivate our Gardens

Knowing there is suffering in the world, settling into our homes can feel like a privilege.  As Voltaire famously wrote in Candide, after the band of characters experience many hardships, ‘”All I know,’ said Candide, ‘is that we must cultivate our garden.’” Let’s care for that within our span – to slow down and nourish ourselves, our homes, families, and communities to the best of our abilities. With intention, we can make caring for our immediate environments a supportive part of our practice.