3 ways to pandemic proof your office (according to Feng Shui)

with the kids back in school, there’s a return migration to office life. i’ve asked people about the accommodations they’re experiencing at work. my takeaway so far: safety protocols are in place (hand sanitizing stations, mask requirements, and social distancing guidelines), but i noted less emphasis on office proofing.

so.

here are 3 things i recommend considering to better prepare your office for the coming months:

if you have an office to yourself, is there excess furniture that could be moved out? alternatively, could the furniture be moved around so it is up against a wall? when our lovelies were in that pulling-themselves-to-standing age, we pushed everything in the living room up against the wall for safety and ease. it allowed us enough space to be in the room (and on the floor with them) without feeling crowded because of furniture placement. same concept applies here. create the space now so social distancing – if/when necessary – is possible later.

you know i LOVE me a good office plant. in today’s weather, they’ve quickly become healthy company in offices and conference rooms. pollutants already emanate from the paint, carpet, and furniture — add in a season of viruses, and who doesn’t want to breathe easier? lucky for us, plants have a little personal magic of their own to purify the air. a few of my work buddy favorites: pothos, spider plants, peace lilies, and all the palms – bamboo, lady, and parlor. whatever the plant, no matter where you place it, that room instantly becomes better in its presence! greenery out of the question? consider opening the windows (if possible) or bringing in an air purifier.

finally, DECLUTTER your own surroundings. if you ever needed a loving shove, here it is! the fewer landing zones you have (what do you need out on your desk? what is necessary on the shelves?), the less time you’ll spend wiping everything down. keep out what you LOVE, what you use / need and re-home everything else. this is one of those rituals that pays itself forward beyond good health. when we remove clutter – especially in the spaces where we spend hours – what we desire attracting gains a clearer and accelerated passage to us! xo