simple shui | 5 ways to declutter your home

in feng shui, open space is symbolic of having more, being more, and living more fully. give up the materialism, and we gain the invisible – peace of mind, free time, and breathing space. i like pretty things and adore designing their arrangement, so this isn’t advocating minimalism. our spirits revel when we have things we LOVE around us; our souls are also easily charmed by open pockets of space. both invigorate a room, concocting a visual feast for our eyes, mind, and spirit.

however, discernment is necessary in every home. because when we edit away the superfluous chatter in our living spaces, everything else gets a second wind. without suffocating competition, what remains around us blossoms into an invitation and opportunity to see beauty – and the old becomes new again. so, if you’d like to fill your house with these feel-good vibes, here are a few simple shui ways to bring energy back to life:

walk your house every day. when we honor morning routines – like turning on lamps, opening the shades, and waking up our house – we mindfully replenish the energy around us. and by patiently tucking our home in at night, we once again carry our appreciation for the things we have into every corner. this daily conversation and beautiful practice cultivates gratitude room by room, reminding us to love the things we’ve got instead of the things we want.

consider pleasure a necessity. by making pleasure a necessity in every room, we arouse our personal energy. and aroused energy is sublime fuel for the future. intercept anything that provokes frustration or interrupts your sensory pleasures. by releasing what doesn’t add soul and stories to our surroundings, we open ourselves up to a force field of support from the things we really love.

live the lush life. everything looks better with a luscious green plant or a brilliant bouquet of flowers nestled nearby. not only do living things breathe new life into a room, they transform the past into something present. so, fill your space with their presence and let them amplify the beauty of your treasures.

pretend you’re moving. pick a closet or corner, pack it up in a box, and let the open space breathe for a week. when you’re ready to take everything back out, hold one intention: to cultivate delight. what brings you immediate satisfaction and wonder as you unpack it? pay attention to anything that smudges this joy. don’t deny those first impressions – they are the litmus test for what still creates sparks for you. hold onto what lights you up, and find a way to give it prime real estate and ample appreciation.

shop your house. it’s quite easy to end up with an assortment of odd and end goodies – those impulsive buys we love but struggle with finding a cohesive dwelling place. dedicate a shelf in a closet with your treasures, and display them on rotation. by changing things up monthly or seasonally, we find ourselves slowing down – if even for a moment – to appreciate the beauty and story of our things. and that ritual of revival will make anything feel timeless, regardless of age.

want more suggestions for incorporating practical shui into your space? check out the simple shui archive over at MindBodyGreen. need even more shui than that? grab yourself the simple shui workbook bundle and get ready to earn your shui spurs! xo