Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for a Space With Multiple Doorways

Anjie Cho November 3, 2019

I've set up my home-office in the front dining room of my house. I have a few feng shui adjustments, but I'm unsure whether I need to use them and, if so, where to place them, as I have two doorways. Can you advise?

Nathan R., Queens, NY

Hi Nathan!

Thanks for sending your floor plan and for reading the blog!

You may know that in feng shui, using your dining room table as a desk is not ideal. If you work from home, it's best to purchase a desk and create a separate space for your work, so that you can focus on work while you're there and give yourself space from work when you're off.

That said, if the dining space is all you have, there are certainly adjustments that can help make this area work for you.

Your question is regarding two doors in the dining room area. Two doors are okay, however when you sit at your "desk," you are in line with the doorway to the hallway. This is problematic because the qi from that door comes directly towards you. The relationship of where you sit to the kitchen doorway is fine.

Some options for being in the line of qi based on the hall doorway:

You can hang a feng shui crystal ball halfway between the doorway and where you sit. You can find these in the Holistic Spaces store. This will disperse the qi coming at you from the doorway. If there's already a crystal chandelier above the dining room table, this can be used as a substitution.
Another option is to move the dining table towards the window wall (left side of drawing) so you're not directly in line with the door. This way, you remain in commanding position in relationship to both doors.

Whatever adjustments you choose to make for your dining / office space, keep in mind that it's important to separate your work from your personal life. When you're finished working each day, take time to straighten your desk and say goodnight to your work. If you can, drape a scarf or piece of fabric over your workspace when you are not working. Out of sight, out of mind! This way you'll feel comfortable and relaxed at night, and wake to a desk that's in order and ready for work!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

How to Create a Serene Meditation Space in a Small, Cramped Apartment

Anjie Cho October 30, 2019

featured on Clever

It feels like the cure for every problem these days is meditation. Feeling anxious? Meditate for 20 minutes a day. Need help falling asleep? Again, meditate. Feeling lost and disconnected? You get the point. But whether you're new to meditation or just looking to feel more peaceful in your everyday life, a cramped and chaotic apartment can seem like an enormous roadblock. Sure, it's ideal to retreat to an empty, sun-drenched room to do your morning meditation, or a lush backyard where you can surround yourself in nature every day. But we're happy to report that you can still curate a mindful meditation space even in the most cramped, eclectic, and chaotic of dwellings. Here are some hacks to create a conscious corner for you and your practice.

Tidy Up (Or Face the Chaos!)

Channel your inner Marie Kondo and spruce up your space so you don’t have to deal with distractions while meditating. On the flip side, “it actually acts as a great challenge for you during meditation,” says feng shui consultant Anjie Cho. “Having the obstacle of a chaotic apartment will improve your practice. You’ll start to see your chaos more clearly,” says Anjie. Don’t take this as a total pass to live in the mess, though; I still recommend creating a clean slate at first to subdue any stress, especially for beginners.

…read full article

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Q&A Sunday: Rose Quartz for Love

Anjie Cho October 27, 2019

"Hi Anjie, when you suggest adding a pair of rose quartz crystals to your bedroom to promote trust and harmony with your future or current relationship, does it have to be a pair or will one do the trick?"

- Jill H., Brooklyn, NY

Thanks for your question, Jill!

As a rule of thumb, my teachers answer most things with “it depends!” This is true for this question.

In general, I recommend a pair of rose quartz for love and harmony, to attract a partner or to support an existing relationship. But it really does depend. Without tailoring the question specifically for one person, it’s difficult to address most issues in a general blog post. However, most of the time the general answer is OK.

Generally, a pair would be most helpful for a current or future relationship. But, there are times when one would also be appropriate. For instance, someone who’s always in a relationship and never single may benefit from one, rather than a pair, since he or she may be co-dependent and have a hard time being alone. Another situation where a single stone may be more appropriate is when someone is experiencing a separation and needs to do some soul searching to see if they’re better alone or back with their partner.

Also, if one is all you have, there may be a reason for that. But if you are perhaps too lazy to get another piece, that says something too! I think your question is a great one because it’s not an easy one to answer and requires you to really examine your situation.

The fact that you're seeking to add rose quartz to your space at all is a very promising sign, whether for your love life or your relationship with yourself. Before you pick up a pair, spend a little time thinking about exactly why you're looking to make this adjustment in your space. Once you've got the intention pinned down, any addition you make will be that much more powerful.

by Anjie Cho