Feng Shui for Summer

Summer is a great time of the year to move positive chi around your home and garden. It’s a time when you can leave the windows wide open so that fresh air will circulate the chi (energy) throughout your home. It’s a time when you should enjoy the outdoors, family and friends and travel to all those destinations you’ve always dreamed about. But to do that, you should handle a few things ahead of time so that you can be ready to have fun at a moment’s notice.

Here are a few ways to bring in positive energy into your home and yard.

• Keep the house clean so you can leave at a moment’s notice without feeling guilty. Have your family pick up after themselves so you have less work to do. Iron, do wash or chores while you are watching TV, preparing meals, etc. You will be surprised at how many things you can do during commercials, while you are waiting for your meal to cook or play with your dog outside as you walk around the yard to pick up broken branches or leaves.

• Keep a small overnight bag packed for you and your family and place it in your car’s trunk. If an unplanned getaway or you get an overnight invitation for your kids (or an emergency arises), you will have all essentials already in the car and ready to go.

• Use paper plates when appropriate so you don’t have to do dishes every night!

• Have a night when you order take out so you give yourself a break from cooking and you can spend more time with the children or actually do something for yourself.

• Hang bells on your architectural front door to bring in positive energy every time you open it. If you don’t use your front door, make it a habit of going out the front door to get the mail or the newspaper, etc. so that your door is used.

• Clean the bath tub or shower while you are in the shower.

• Bring that pile of magazines you haven’t gotten to outside on the deck or patio so that when you are relaxing or enjoying the sun, you can get through them quickly and either give them away or recycle them. Or ask friends if they would like these magazines, bring them to a hospital waiting room or nursing home. Many of the smaller medical facilities will be happy to have the reading material for their patients.

• Keep lots of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand that are locally grown. Not only are you supporting the local farmers, but you also have healthier food and snacks to nourish you and your family.

• Buy or wear light and no wrinkle outfits for easy traveling and last minute plans. Wash and wear clothes are best so you can wash them, let them dry and be off again to another adventure without lugging an iron with you. Steamers also work well.

• Let the light into your home. Put up sheer curtains or pleated shades that can be opened from the top or bottom so you can maximize the sunlight and immediately feel re-energized. If appropriate, just put up valances on some windows for maximum sunlight.

• Check BBQ to be sure that the propane tank is filled and that all parts are in good working order. You don’t want to be surprised when you are entertaining guests.

• Get citronella candles for nighttime outdoor meals or parties to keep pests away from your gathering. Make sure you also have appropriate lighting.

• Ask family or friends to help with a home or yard project and then have a BBQ to thank them later that day. What a great way to end a hard day’s work.

• Hang melodious chimes from your deck, trees or house gutters for a melodious sound to relax and calm you. Always have a book on hand that you’ve always wanted to read and didn’t have time. The sound of the chimes will de-stress you and you will be learning from or enjoying a good book at the same time.

• Have a landscaper take care of your lawn and garden so you can be free to enjoy your family and the good weather. If you can’t afford one, mow your lawn early in the morning so you can have the rest of the day free.

• Weed your garden for five minutes each day so that the weeds don’t overpower your beautiful flowers and you won’t feel overwhelmed when you decide to weed on the weekend.

• Take care of outdoor furniture by hosing it down throughout the summer. Cover it if you are going away so that it will not get dirty. When furniture gets muddy or dirty, no one wants to sit on it. Let everyone feel comfortable with clean furniture.

• Have a garage sale to get rid of the things you no longer want, need or like, but make some money from these items which can be used for a fun filled day with family or friends. If you don’t want to have a garage sale, donate to a local charity and get a tax donation form. You will be able to deduct the amount on your income taxes and you are decluttering your space making the space more positive.

• Make sure all outdoor furniture is in good condition or replace it for safety reasons.

• Check pool supplies and equipment to be sure everything is in perfect working condition so no one gets disappointed at the last minute. Be sure children’s flotation devices are safe.

• Trim any hedges or trees that might be dangerous or unsightly. For your family’s safety, shrubs should only be hip height at the front of your home. At that height, you will never be surprised by intruders.

• Keep outdoor lighting clean and in repair so that you can see where you are going in the evening and what is going on outside of your home at all times.

• Take a refreshing walk through a local park or your neighborhood. Everyone is outside now so you may meet new friends or neighbors or can catch up with a friend’s life if you walk together and get exercise at the same time! You can also listen to a learning CD or a CD you had just purchased. The trick is to do several things at the same time to save time and energy.

• Go to flea markets or yard sales and pick up things you need at a discount; however, be sure you get rid of three things for every new thing you bring into the house so that you are keeping on top of the clutter. You don’t need more junk in your home so be sure you need the item you purchase.

• Have your home and deck power washed. Then you can seal your deck for many hours of fun without damaging it.

There are many other things you can do around your home to make it a stress free and fun summer. Make your lists now and try to do a few things each and everyday. Before you know it, summer will be here and you will be enjoying yourself without care or worry.