Our home environment plays a key role in how we feel about ourselves, and Feng Shui, the Chinese art of placement, offers many options to change elements in your home to help in variety of ways.
Step 1 - Declutter - Clutter is too much of anything in one place, not just piles of papers on an unorganized desk, or that kitchen drawer packed with everything in it. Too much furniture in a room is clutter which is often created as a result of needing to feel secure, although it actually creates the opposite effect. Too much art on the walls can be considered cutter, if it leaves an oppressive feeling. Favorite collections are clutter if not displayed properly. China in the hutch can be clutter. If you are having difficulty with self-confidence, these are likely issues. Less is more, and stuff piled up and unorganized becomes stagnant energy, or ‘chi.’ Anything you do not need, use, or love is best to remove.
To begin the change to the confident person, look around the entire home and make sure books and shelves are neatly arranged with as few items possible to suit the new confident you. Eliminate as many books as possible if they’re not read often.
In bedroom closets and drawers, eliminate clothing, shoes and accessories that no longer fit, are out of style, damaged or stained, don’t feel good to wear or haven’t been worn in over a year. I know many actors have clothing for potential costumes, and that should be kept clearly separate from everyday clothing, even if in the same closet.
In the kitchen, throw away expired foods and spices. In the fridg and freezer, throw out moldy and freezer burnt foods, especially the condiment section. Organize or eliminate plastic containers and remaining pantry items. Clean and organize under sink. Clean the stove and oven. Eliminate almost anything that hasn’t been used in a year in the way of cooking pots, pans, dishes, small appliances etc. You may think you’ll use it, but if a year has gone by, it’s most likely you won’t. Take the same approach to your linen closet and eliminate old towels and sheets, and better yet, get all brand new ones.
The bathroom needs to be kept clean and free of mold and scale. Replace the shower curtain when it gets too messy to be cleaned. Eliminate expired personal products and medicines and those not used in a year from medicine cabinet and under sink. Peeling paint, broken towel rods, cracked mirrors, etc. need to be repaired.
It is certainly acceptable to keep sentimental items, if the sentiment if up-lifting. Anything from exes, and mementos from painful experiences and toxic people need to be removed from the home. And because someone gave you something as a gift but you don’t like it, is something to be removed from the home.
That great feeling after decluttering is not just of accomplishment, but also the ‘chi’ flowing freely again in your home.
Step 2 - Repairs - Like in the bathroom, everything in the home needs to be in full working order, including doors, windows, appliances, plumbing, paint, floor coverings, furniture, clocks etc. If you own your own home, the roof and paint must be in excellent condition. All leaks need to be repaired and landscaping must be well-maintained. Nothing in the home can be worn out to feel good about yourself, so you may need to treat yourself to new home decor, which you totally deserve!
Step 3 - Decorating - One of the common causes of low confidence in the home is how objects are hung on a wall. Those hung too high or are too small for the area, create a feeling of one not being enough. If there are faces in the image, the eyeliner is best matching with yours. Larger images, or a collection of them is best over the sofa, to have the image just inched above the sofa back.
Color is also important. All beige or white rooms can feel lackluster without a grounding point. A color accent wall is a great option and well as colorful accessories, from pillows and curtains to table wear and bedding.