How to Reflect the Energy Within

28 Jan

 

A guest post from my friend and colleague Vicky White of The Spacious Life. 

 

I used to believe I’d live near water when I was rich and famous. But four years ago I decided to find out what might be possible.

Almost immediately I started hearing about float homes, or houseboats. I read a magazine with an article about houseboats, I was looking online for B&Bs in Vancouver to hold a retreat and came across a B&B houseboat. Then a friend told me about a friend of hers who was selling one. All within one week. Houseboats were not something I had ever considered.

Before I knew it, I had sold my condo, bought a houseboat and I was living not near the water, but ON the water.

View of the Fraser River from float home village in Langley, BC

 I was living the life of the rich and famous! Or that’s how it felt.

Sometime after that, I was gazing at the vision board I had made several months before I even thought about moving, and almost fell off my chair. There in the bottom left corner was a picture of a houseboat with a dinghy tied up outside, with the word ‘relaxation’ underneath it.

Vision boards are so powerful because we intentionally or intuitively chose images that resonate with us. The energy of the image is in alignment with an energy we desire. The energy of these images speak to us.

What if I told you your home is a living vision board?

And even more powerful than the vision board you create on a piece of card.

Your life mirrors the energy in your home, and your home mirrors your life. Everything you have around you is both creating your life, and holding your energy in place.

Which means you have a powerful tool for transformation in your home.

One of my clients cleared out her closet and let go of two-thirds of her clothes. They no longer felt like a good fit. In Feng Shui, her closet was located in her creativity area. Within days, she called to say she’d been writing her memoirs day and night ever since. The same memoirs she’d been stuck and unable to write for the last 4 years.

She’d got stuck when she started writing about family secrets.

In Feng Shui, closets represent secrets!

Every part of your home symbolizes part of your life. Free up the flow of energy in your home and you’ll experience a shift of energy within yourself, and in what you attract ‘out there’.

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again.” - Joseph Campbell

If you go to a workshop or retreat, when you return home you’ll likely feel pulled to make some changes in your home.

Your new perspective will give you a different view and you’ll see things that are no longer a good fit for you. When you make these changes in your home, you’re anchoring the inner changes you’ve made – the energy in your home has lifted to match your new self.

However, if no changes are made you’ll likely be pulled back to where you used to be.

The energy in your home is always a reflection of the energy within you – something needs to shift when they are not aligned.

In the midst of busy lives it can seem easier to hold onto the old and familiar and put off making decisions about things, but. . .

Remember, your home is a living vision board.

Another client was feeling frustrated and stuck in her business and spent a whole day clearing her home office, adding flowers and finding other items that raised her energy. While she did that, her phone kept ringing and she attracted six new clients on that one day, one of whom had her travelling to Perth, Australia to stay in a beach house while she redecorated it. . .during a Canadian winter!

Clutter holds your dreams.

Beneath those things that are unfinished, unused, unloved, unresolved, tolerated and disorganized, lie buried desires.

Whether your clutter is in your home, in your body, in your mind or heart, you can open yourself to possibility by letting it go.

Is your soul calling out for change?

There will be something in your home that’s acting as a ‘place holder’ for a shift you want to make, just waiting till you’re ready. Like the client who went looking and found boxes of divorce related papers hidden away in her office. When she cleared those she magically attracted the new clients she wanted.

When you’ve let go of the things that no longer inspire where you’re going, you can intentionally set out to discover things that DO inspire you and make your heart sing.

You’ve released stuck, bogged down energy in your home and added items that reflect who you really are and where you are going. You and your home have joined forces to create the life you want.

Imagine your home being a space for your soul, a space that supports you in sharing your gifts with the world, doing what you are here to do. A space that supports you in an ever-evolving world.

Over to you:

  • How do you feel about your home?
  • Is it supporting your highest self?

Answer these questions in the comments below and enter to win 1 of 2 spots in Vicky’s upcoming course: Simplify.Transform.Prosper. 

* Winners will be announced January 30 as the program starts February 1. 

 

Dividing Line

stp_date_ed1Vicky White is known as the Inner Feng Shui Coach. She is passionate about being a pathfinder for women on the edge of reinvention. You’ll find her at: TheSpaciousLife.com. 
She is the creator of Simplify.Transform.Prosper. - thirty days of easy clutter busting prompts that will transform your life.
BONUS: Deva Coaching readers will save $20 with the coupon code: SIMPLIFY30

 

92 comments
  Livefyre
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Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

And the winners of the 2 spots in @VickyWhite's course are: 

1. @Carol Hess 
2. @gayletrini 

Congratulations and I'll see you inside the STP group! 

Vicky White
Vicky White

@Sandi Amorim Congratulations to both of you - I'll be in touch.  So enjoyed all the posts and questions here - thank you Sandi.  

For everyone else, you can use the coupon: SIMPLIFY30  to get $20 off - this is going to be fun, and powerful!

David Stevens
David Stevens like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hi,

I need to follow my own advice and...clear the clutter...great piece, thankyou.

Be good to yourself

David

jeb5952
jeb5952

Thank you for the guidance and coaching in this post.  I share my home with my wonderful wife and our 2 young and wild boys.  I value minimalism and half-heartedly joke that my wife values maximalism!  I have recently experienced an awakening of sorts and am on my way to a massive transformation physically, spiritually, mentally, socially.  Other people contribute and inspire me in those areas -- but at the end of the day, I am the dominant influence in my growth.  HOWEVER, in terms of our home environment I attempt to lead by example as best I can, but how my wife treats our home is a constant energy strain and disconnect with where I want and where I would like my family to progress.  I only want us to live simple habits such as putting clothes up rather than on floor, stacking books on shelves rather than floor, clearing counters of clutter, establishing an inbox for paperwork and maintaining it, being conscious of unnecessary possessions (if we have 16 plastic cups, choosing half and donating the rest, etc).  Instead we live in a home with such potential for nature, creativity ... yet are overrun by clutter that consumes time, energy and, in the end, happiness and harmony.  This topic has been the source of discord, conflicts both silent and loud, acceptance and tolerance, passive aggression ... every sort of emotion, yet I feel no change.  I know she wants to change and makes efforts frequently, but the core habits don't change so 5 days later we're right back to where we started.  I think there are spiritual and psychological roots to this issue, but have failed over our 10 years to influence change much in this area.  But my recent growth is fueling my interest in change in this area.


To answer your question, my home COULD but instead DETRACTS from my higher self.  My question back, how do I most effectively and lovingly inspire transformation in what I feel to be a critical area as this?  I am not looking to impose my minimalism, but would like to at least have more harmony on a consistent and disciplined basis.  To allow more energy, creativity and love in our home.  Thanks again for your inspiration.


Vicky White
Vicky White

@jeb5952 Oh Jeb I feel for you!  In the end we cannot change someone else but we CAN often inspire them.  I always suggest my clients focus on their own stuff and that usually shifts the energy.  When you have kids involved it's tricky too.  Do you feel this issue is a symptom of deeper differences in your values and directions?  Whatever is happening on the outside will mirror your inner dynamics - and create them. Would your wife consider counseling with you?  Or can you agree on small changes?  I do think it's really tricky when two people in a relationship are not on the same page, and I'm sure that's reflected in other areas of your life together too.  

One suggestion I have, which may or may not be possible, is for each person in your home to have a room (or space) that is theirs.  It's a luxury to have a room - but if you had a room that was yours where you got to decide how things were  - that might help somewhat.

In the end it's about communication when you live with others - and caring about each others needs - an introvert and an extrovert together are a good example of this.

Good luck - I hope this has helped.

jeb5952
jeb5952

@Vicky White @jeb5952 Thanks for the reply, Vicky!  I value the insights and will think through them this week!  Excited about the possibilities to better understand each other and achieve positive growth.

LaVonne
LaVonne

I feel both protected and confined in the small apartment that I share with my grown son and his wife. It was a sanctuary from family craziness when I moved here 15 years ago, and I'm very grateful that I happened upon the perfect place for my needs back then. But now, it's time to go. Today, I began moving all the things I plan to take with me into a 6'x10' space surrounding the cot I now sleep on, as I practice living from the van I have yet to buy. Come April or May, I will buy one, move in, and hit the road. This is a dream I've had since I was 13 but didn't believe was possible until now. I can't wait!

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@LaVonne OMG you're really going to do it!! And then you can drive up here to Vancouver :)

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Sandi Amorim @LaVonne yes, yes - that would be cool - taking your home with you like a snail.  I'm very tempted to do something similar.

Vicky White
Vicky White

@LaVonne That is so exciting LaVonne - sounds like it's time to spread your wings and be free!  Good to hear from you. xoxo

AmandaFrost_
AmandaFrost_

Grateful: my sanctuary - peaceful - a retreat...spiral wooden staircase winds up to my top floor 35 square meter apartment, in a 1906 local quarried stone early art nouveau building just outside Paris Grand.  We live here contentedly for now, Capt Jack Magic and I.  We met when I rescued him from the gutter in the busiest downtown street at 3 am in Porto Portugal.  He, in return, rescued my smiles and laughter.  He was all of 10 days old.  To tis day, he insists on ide and seek and chasey/pounce until I laugh and invents ew games regulary.  

White walls, original blond oak floorboards, terracotta tiles and molded ceilings with flourishing fruits and grains in the living room and blossoms, flowers and butterflies in the bedroom. Few possessions, great contemporary bed I bought new, awesome extendable hand crafted 60 years old table and 6 chairs came with me from Porto...The table is so important for me - so much happens on a good table...gathering of folk and family for fine food and conversation, make pizza, wash the baby, play with the cat, plan a programme, make art, write to friends, talk to friends on skype, make clothes, paint, write cards and letters to friends - you remember the old fashioned way - real paper and real envelopes...from time to time you can gaze out the window at the long view to the hills.

Now new treasures I discover in the local market early Sunday mornings come home with me - a real Persian carpet from Shiraz, high quality, very good condition and only 10€, a pewter jug and enameled pot stand and other unique pieces that once graced someone else's table have found their place with me whilst my bed boasts brand new pure cotton white white sheets and a crisp blue Habitat quilt cover, 2 big blue pillows behind the smaller white ones - lovely Christmas gifts from my beloved daughter who lives across  the train tracks with her beau.

Last years hyacinth bulbs are flowering and the winter azelea and cyclamen are full of blossoms,  just in from the veranda to shelter from the snow and frost,

Capt Jack and I feel peaceful here - it is a great place to rest and plan and then evolve, because we know, as we look out across the rooftops to the hills of woodland and agricultural fields, there will be a next home, one were we can both walk and explore nature from our back garden or walk on rooftops if we please.

Not much clutter, I love letting things go - it is a 4 monthly ritual for me. 

I realise, having read some of your posts, there is an envelope and a couple of small items that need to be sent back to owner 'tout suite' this weekend.  When that is done and one last pile of papers sorted, bags of latest clothes to go is gone, this weekend, then my space will be even more fully supporting my highest self.

Whilst it is true that by Friday the clothes on the chair in my closet has mushroomed, I love it after the cleanup and so does Capt Jack!

From another angle, my experience has shown me that when I am at home with myself and my heart feels good, content, living life as it arises, I can be and feel at home anywhere that I happen to be.


Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@AmandaFrost_ It seems I must plan a visit to Paris! I love the sound of your space as well as your/its evolution. 

JoyChristin
JoyChristin like.author.displayName 1 Like

Yes!  I took a  leap of faith, and chose to spend the last five years raising my two young children aboard a sailboat--as of then I was the only single mom on the So CA coast raising her children as liveaboards!  From that, came this dream and reality of sharing my practice of presence to peace, love, and gratitude.  We moved to land, and finding our new space has been one experience after another...I agree, my home is symbolic of my heart space (and I love the idea of a living vision board...beautiful, thank you!!!)...and I am excited to create a new space representative of all of this *now*.  I love your energy, style, message...what a gift to "connect" with you here, today! 

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@JoyChristin Well, you probably didn't have a lot of clutter on your sailboat - what a wonderful experience for your kids too!  Glad this resonated with you - thanks for connecting.

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

@JoyChristin I had no idea you lived on a sailboat, but I've often wondered where your glorious photos were taken! @VickyWhite is also an amazing photographer, and oh my, you'd love her houseboat! Have I mentioned you should come up to Vancouver for a visit??? xoS

talie
talie

We share a one-bedroom, in a quaint, artsy (-30C) neighborhood, thank goodness, but... I loved it with all my soul until now. When I walked in yesterday, and actually said out loud: "What a dump!" I almost started crying. This is my one refuge, my one safe haven, and all of a sudden, I felt I didn't want to be here. I felt I couldn't handle how behind it was and the layers of reorganization that needed to be peeled back, the time energy and focus it would take. That I had left it wanting too long. I felt overwhelmed by the mess, disorganization, shame for how little time I spent making it just right for both of us, and shame for ignoring all our books and instruments and music and plants and couch.... And reading this article, I realized that was exactly how my insides felt!

Thank-you for enlightening me through your writing today. If I can just make the time to sleep better hours, armed with this new insightful information, I feel ready to tackle my journey, and become a stronger, more balanced, centered person again. Here's hoping! ;) And here's to slowly but surely putting my new 'house' back in order! xoxo -talie

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@talie Gosh, as Sandi says - a lot of change all at once.  The first thing I'd suggest is to drop the shame.  It's so easy to feel shame about our homes and our lives - and you know, that shame is not an energy you want to add into the mix.  It not only creates a resistance to the clutter and to your home, but it will work against you making changes.

Here's a different perspective that might help you.  Everything in your home, including the things you don't love about it, is perfect given the circumstances up till now.  Clutter has a function in that it slows energy down in your home - and often we create it subconsciously to enable us to handle things moving too fast for us. I imagine with all your changes, that could be a factor.  There have probably been things you just couldn't handle in the moment, decisions you couldn't make.  So, it's all perfect, right?  And part of your journey in this new phase of your life. 

As you mentioned the need for sleep - I'd suggest starting with your bedroom - and slowly, one step at a time create a sanctuary for yourself in there - somewhere you can retreat to, somewhere that will enable you to sleep well - this so impacts your stress levels and health - it's so important.

If not your bedroom - create a space somewhere - even one corner of a room - and perhaps you need to turn your chair to face something you love - where you can curl up and feel at peace.  (I'd choose the bedroom myself!)  

It's about what you are choosing to focus on too - OK, so now you know you want to make some changes - and it feels things have come to a head - which is great.  You don't need to do it all at once.  Small things will make a lot of difference - and focus on those changes and how it shifts your own energy.

Sending you lots of good clutter busting juju so you can thrive with your sweetie.

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@Vicky White @talie Wow, I think a lot of us need that juju for thriving in relationships! 

Vicky White
Vicky White

@Sandi Amorim @Vicky White @talie It's all connected - 'stuff' brings everything up.  I think too that we expect to make all kinds of changes and just slip into a whole new life - I know I've done that a lot in the past - love making fast moves - new countries, new career etc - and we forget how stressful that can be.  It takes a lot to really practice extreme self care - which is what is called for these days me thinks!  Apart from all the changes we instigate and welcome, the planet is in a huge time of change - more than every before - there are consequences!  We need to have homes that provide respite and sanctuary - and then probably other spaces we can retreat to also.xoxo

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

@talie Oh my Talie, that's a lot of change all at once. I can relate to some of it as it was such a challenge for me when I moved in with my husband. I know @VickyWhite will have some wisdom to share, but for now I'm just wondering what would it take to feel even just a bit better today?

For me it was cleaning my office recently, and it made such a huge difference to my mood. Start small my friend and be gentle with yourself. 

talie
talie

In a flash, after reading Sandi's intro to this article" energy in your home is always a reflection of the energy within you ", I knew I had to read everything Vicky had to say on the topic.

Having moved 7 months ago to live with an amazing human (but very different from me) being, I've had to adapt to a new city, new 'hood, new gym, new job, knowing no-one, not having a car, and minimal/inexistant transit granting me a greatly reduced sense of freedom, not to mention a radical-body-slamming switch to HORRIFIC weather conditions (I grew up happily in 86+ degrees F/ +30 degrees Celcius, and now spend my days, unprepared mentally and physically to -22F / -30C), and completely altered personal space; after always living on my own, I dropped everything I had, to share even my tiny personal bubble with the love of my life. Well, whew! What a toll this demading change has taken on my psyche, physique, self-confidence... and on the order in 'my house'.

bo_mackison
bo_mackison

I have two homes - the family home in the Midwest which is big and sprawly and want to be happy when I am in that space, but it is a struggle. I also have a tiny condo in the Southwest, usually I am there on my own. I feel immediately comforted and held, all in a tiny space in the midst of the desert when I am in this tiny cozy space. I would so like to know ways to improve my family home. Maybe even improve on my Southwest home -- how awesome would that be!

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@bo_mackison  I love the SW - so earthy!  And what a treat to have two spaces - everyone needs somewhere to retreat to.  This program of mine was designed to give you the tools to improve the energy in your home....and so, your own energy.  Doesn't take much to give it a lift.  You'll see and feel the results.  Our environment is creating our lives - good to be intentional about the energy there. 

BetsyKCross
BetsyKCross like.author.displayName 1 Like

I had to comment...I'm so excited! I do this kind of stuff all the time, but as I was reading I knew what I had to do with two spaces in my house and immediately felt a shift (don't know what kind, yet!) . I'll come back to read the rest later. Just wanted to thank you. What fun! LOL!

p.s. a housboat...sooooo cool!

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@BetsyKCross Haha, so awesome when inspiration strikes! 

And yes, her houseboat is amazing! I took the photo from her deck :)

SHurleyHall
SHurleyHall like.author.displayName 1 Like

See - that's what I keep telling my family when they look at me like I'm crazy when I try to declutter. To keep the peace, I've had to just streamline my own stuff, but I do it a couple of times a year. I always feel much lighter and more centered after doing so.

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@SHurleyHallGood for you - and decluttering can be done daily in small pieces that add up to something huge - as in my program - they won't notice, but they will start to make shifts as the energy in your home becomes clearer.  Good idea to focus on your own stuff - and if you have kids, it's always good to start introducing them to it slowly....lets choose one toy you are not using and give it to a child who will love it....I love that lighter and more centered feel!

ReneeMagnusson
ReneeMagnusson like.author.displayName 1 Like

This is so interesting to me as our home is a challenge. Its a one bedroom 550 sq ft and houses 2 adults, a home office, a home studio, instruments and hard cases, a bass amp larger than our fridge, my clothes and 3 senior cats. We love the hood, we love our community, we back onto trees and never have to close our drapes. We get sunlight and moonlight. We are either outgrowing it or need to let some stuff go but the big question remains - what goes? We do not want to move as our 17 year old cat is now blind and moves around by memory.  It would be very tough for him to adjust. Add to that 7 years here and for our area we pay ridiculously low rent that is perfect as I start my own biz I would love someone to check it out and see what we can change! x

Vicky White
Vicky White like.author.displayName 1 Like

@ReneeMagnusson There's a lot in here.  We all make choices about where we live and our homes do teach us about ourselves.  The question is, does this home support you?  I'd have to know more about you and your home to suggest things you can change - but meantime I'd listen to your heart.  You have several reasons why you don't want to move - which is fine.  I'm wondering how you're each feeling in your space.  It is a small space for two people and a cat - but then there are families living in homes about that size - so it comes down to lifestyle choices.  If you are using everything, and love what you have, and it all raises your energy when you consider it, and you don't want to move - then you have some decisions to make.  But I have yet to meet anyone who has no clutter - and clutter can be in every aspect of your life.  Clear some of that out and it will make a huge difference.  If you are feeling uncomfortable in your home - something needs to shift - and that might even be your beliefs about what is possible for you both.  Hope this helps.

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@ReneeMagnusson Amazing how we create our experience regardless of the external circumstances! I wonder what @VickyWhite would suggest for this. 

ReneeMagnusson
ReneeMagnusson

@Sandi Amorim @ReneeMagnusson @VickyWhite Create our experience regardless of the external circumstances? What does that mean? 

Ellen Berg
Ellen Berg like.author.displayName 1 Like

@ReneeMagnusson @Sandi Amorim @VickyWhite Renee, do a quick google search for "content to process shift."  I learned about it in Austin Vickers' movie, and it really helped me see things differently.  The idea is that we can't let the content of our lives dictate our lives.  If we focus on process, we can look at the content as teaching or growing events or even just temporary roadblocks.  I'm not doing a great job of explaining, so definitely go find a video through Google.  :)

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@ReneeMagnusson Means the external doesn't have to be perfect in order to have a positive experience, ie: you living and loving a 550 sq ft space. 

ShannonFurshRichardson
ShannonFurshRichardson

I love my home, I mean I LOVE it. My partner and my 2 kids moved into this house about 11 months ago and it is really our dream home. We are just renting it but the owners aren't planning on moving back for another 8 years so it is like our permanent home. However, I have noticed that since we moved into our dream house my relationship with my partner has been a bit strained and we always laugh and say - it's the house. We say that because the previous owners of the house bought it and a year later they turned around and sold it because they were getting a divorce. So we joke that the house has bad "juju". Maybe there is something going on with the Feng Shui of the house. I'm OCD so there isn't much clutter but it would be really interesting to have someone take a look.

VickyWhite
VickyWhite

@ShannonFurshRichardson It's always interesting to see what's changed in your life since you moved into a new home.  I don't believe in coincidences.  It's always good to know why previous owners moved too.  My guess is there is something going on with your Love & Relationships area.  It might even be missing.  I do distance consults based on your floor plan if you'd like to contact me.

RandiS
RandiS like.author.displayName 1 Like

I love my home AND I would love it even more if I could get rid of the clutter. Your statement that "your home is a living vision board" really resonated with me. Wow, I sure have some work to do because right now my living vision board is looking a little chaotic and stifling. In theory, I love the idea of decluttering, in reality the process overwhelms me. Thanks for a great post, you have definitely given me food for thought!

Sandi Amorim
Sandi Amorim moderator

@RandiS That really is a great and inspiring line, isn't it?

Your Home Is a Living Vision Board - we need a poster @VickyWhite! 

VickyWhite
VickyWhite

@RandiS Glad this resonated Randi - you can do it....one step at a time.

Ellen Berg
Ellen Berg

Wow.  I think I've intuitively known this--I know my home and desk become more cluttered when my brain gets more cluttered and I'm feeling out of sorts.  However, I never thought about a simple shift in a space have an equal affect on my person.  

How do I feel about my home?  Too much stuff, too cluttered, mostly representative of a me of 10+ years ago (traditional) instead of me today--lots more eclectic and modern.  It feels very limiting.

Is it supporting my highest self?  No.  Not at all.  I feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done/handled/fixed and for which I do not have the money or know-how to fix.  When we moved in it felt like hope.  Now it sort of feels like a prison.

VickyWhite
VickyWhite like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Ellen Berg Start small Ellen.  What comes first?  Not much fun when you're being held back in who you used to be - sounds like you might be ready for big things.  You can do it!  And remember, your home is a gift to you, it will show you the way now.  Thanks for sharing.

LynnSk
LynnSk

Such synchronicity!! I am in the throes of re-creating my systems (home & mobile office) and SIMPLIFYING as much as possible.    Your questions:

  • How do you feel about your home?  I have mixed feelings.  I have been renovating a 102-year old house for the last 2 years ... it has taught be a lot about patience and finding internal order even while there is chaos around me..... and I am definitely ready to take myself to the next level of streamlining and  simplicity, because I am hungry for transformation and believe it will lead to greater vitality and prosperity.....
  • Is it supporting your highest self?  I am definitely working on that!  
  • It's exciting to connect with others around this vision.

VickyWhite
VickyWhite

@LynnSk I love synchronicity.  Recreating your home and your life - decluttering is a fast track to transformation - love that you're hungry for that.  Your house project sounds like a wonderful adventure.