There is something beautiful and hopeful about a blank page and a fresh start. The New Year period, between the end of December and the Lunar New Year, February 12th in 2021, is a wonderful time for looking at our homes through a Feng Shui lens, to look at the symbols and energies we are carrying forward with us into the next chapter.
Winter is about dissolution, shedding what no longer serves, and creating space for the planting of new seeds in the spring. During this phase of the winter season we are naturally drawn to aligning our space with our intentions, creating congruence between our homes and our becoming, setting the stage for the life we’re headed to and the blessings we’d like to invite in.
Clearing is an important part of most New Year rituals, cleansing the energy from the past, moving into the future clear-eyed and ready for new opportunities. We want to remedy anything that is sticky, stained, torn, or worn out to clear that energy from our homes.
Usually, we have long to-do lists for clearing out and it can be useful to spend some time being thoughtful about where you’d like to focus our efforts. Consider your personal energy levels to avoid overwhelm when making your list. My top three tasks for clearing out old energy and preparing for the New Year are:
- Take out the trash and recycling.
- Sweep the floors.
- Sweep the threshold or landing to the entryway.
(You can also download my complimentary checklist here.) Even in years when my personal energy is depleted, these tasks remove the old energy that’s collected in preparation for a new beginning.
Once we clear away and create some spaciousness, we can consider what we’d like to intentionally bring into our homes and lives. We can anchor our intentions for this new beginning into our homes. Create written affirmations or use belongings to symbolize the blessings you’re calling in.
A few ideas to consider:
- Bowls of fruit to symbolize health and abundance
- Photos and sentimental items to foster a sense of community and belonging
- Artwork that uplifts your personal energy and reminds you of something you’d like more of this year
These reminders help harness the benefits of the reticular activation system, the network of nerves in the brainstem that researchers believe is the attention center in the brain. We create the symbols and affirmations to direct our attention toward what we’d like to be more aware of. Activating this area with reminders in our homes can be a powerful way to support new habits and beliefs.
Preparing ourselves and our homes intentionally is a tangible mindfulness practice that can support us all year long.
