What is Feng Shui and how can I do it in my USF apartment?

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The Ivy
An apartment at The Ivy kept clean and organized for good energy flow.

Feng Shui is a technique of arranging your living space to promote energy flow and inner peace, and it's easy to practice in USF apartments whether you're in a townhome or a studio apartment. Translated literally to the Chinese words for "wind" and "water", the goal of Feng Shui is to use arrangement to create balance with the natural world and establish harmony between a person and their environment. Rearranging your belongings and possibly your furniture for spiritual benefit is an idea that some may be apprehensive to try, but when it comes down to it, many of the principles of Feng Shui are common sense for efficient living. In addition to the philosophies that Feng Shui follows, having an organized living space promotes productivity and can lessen feelings of anxiety to help University of South Florida students live easier day to day. 

What is Feng Shui?

In textbook terms, Feng Shui is a practice of traditional Chinese geomancy. Just as it is believed that mountains and rivers direct the flow of Qi - or "cosmic energy" - through the world, one can arrange the "landscape" of their home to improve the flow of Qi through their living space. This is said to improve wealth, happiness, long life, and family. On the other hand, those who practice Feng Shui believe that if the flow of Qi in your home is poor or disrupted, you will suffer negative results. For a deeper dive into the specifics of Feng Shui, visit the Qigong Energy Healing site for more information. 

Where to begin

To start building positive energy in apartments near USF, the first step is to declutter the main rooms. If there is anything lying around that you no longer use or have a negative association with, consider throwing it out. If you live in a pet friendly apartment, this includes fur buildup on the floor and broken toys. It's proven that the objects a person surrounds themselves with affects their mental state. This not only clears out negative energies in your home; from a scientific standpoint, removing objects in view that aren't related to the task at hand improves productivity and focus. 

Once your space is clear, it's time to fill the emptiness with objects that promote positive energy. That means personalizing your space, decorating, and displaying personal mementos that you may have packed away. Try to choose objects that have value to you and make you feel good to be around. When it comes to art, choose pieces that evoke a sense of calm, hope, or joy. Hang a school banner for some University of South Florida pride. If you're having trouble coming up with ideas, think of it as choosing an outfit for the day. Everyone wears clothes that reflect who they are; choose decorations that reflect the best parts of yourself.

Advanced arrangement in USF Apartments

The next step to perfect your USF apartment's energy flow is to consider rearranging your furniture. A good rule of thumb for this step is that if the objects in your house are not performing their functions optimally, they are creating an energy blockage. 

For example, check that every door or doorway is clear and unobstructed. It is recommended to remove any coats hanging on your doorknob, as this impedes the door's function. Move through your apartment and notice if any furniture gets in your way. If you have a table that you often bang into or a chair you constantly stub your toe on, they are creating a blockage of negative Qi in your home. Other things you can do to maximize flow is to keep plants in your kitchen, remove the television from your bedroom if you have one, and create a dedicated safe place to keep your keys.

Maintain your environment

Once your apartment is energized and the Qi is freely flowing, the last step is to maintain it! Don't get complacent and let clutter build up, creating more energy blockages. When you purchase new objects or furniture, make sure you have a place to put them that maximizes their functionality. If you are diligent and continue to follow the practices of Feng Shui, you will be rewarded with happiness, productivity, and mental well-being.

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of ApartmentsForBulls.com or any of our advertising partners.