Tags
No tags :(
Share it
Wow, have I been on a cleaning streak! It started when I was going through my closet for my last blog, The Ladies-of-a-Certain-Age Fall Fashion Report. Perhaps, you remember the picture of my dog, Dolly, watching me do this.
After delivering six large bags of my used clothes to charitable organizations, I came home and cleaned out three drawers where I keep jewelry. Then, I went through my coat closet because of unusually chilly and rainy where I live, cleaned the floor, and washed three coats.
Soon, I noticed I wasn’t feeling as tired as I have been.
Why am I feeling some vitality? I asked myself. Then, I remembered a philosophy about moving energy called Feng Shui. Years ago, I had a friend come over to my house to “Feng Shui it.” She explained that it was about allowing verve to move freely and arranging elements in your home to create balance. Outside your dwelling, the purpose is to invite the energy to enter and to ward off any negative vibes. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance, not blocking the flow.
Of course, I thought she was crazy! However, I began to feel better and more relaxed. Since then, for some 20 years now, I have studied and used Feng Shui.
It occurred to me that I’ve been so busy this year that my home’s energy has been affected by my not attending to the basic Feng Shui principles.
Although from the outside world, my house appeared neat and orderly because I have used “Heloise Hints for Housekeeping” for over fifty years. (Do you remember Heloise’s newspaper and magazine columns?) Yes, I make my bed each day, get dirty dishes either in the sink or dishwasher and pick up stuff off the floor (now, mainly dog toys since my children long ago flew the nest and I quit taking a daily newspaper). Also, my drawers and closets are fairly orderly, thanks to the tidying expert, Marie Kondo. I adopted her tiding routine several years ago. It has saved me time and energy.
Further, because I am a hard-driven Aries, I get things done! (But, if you look in the corners of my house, you’ll see I haven’t vacuumed since who-knows-when.) It’s hard for me to take a break and relax.
Where is this all going? You see, ladies, I desperately need some R & R, rest, and relaxation! I would add a third R, restoration. I’m pooped. Yes, I have had a wonderful year. After all, I went to Greece AND last month published my third mystery, “Murder and a Blue Spruce,” wrote nine blogs, played pickleball, went to yoga, hiked some, grew an organic garden, saw family (including three teenage grandchildren) and and, and.
Clearing out my space allowed energy to move again and showed me that I desperately need to rest!
Each autumn for many years, it’s been my practice to take myself on a little retreat to do just that. During this “downtime,” I review my life and decide what I might like to do next year after the upcoming holidays.
So, once again, the “woo woo” practices, as some people might describe Feng Shui, Kondo’s philosophies, and astrology, have really helped me know what I need to do to take care of myself. I need time out to rest, relax, and restore!
Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, October 4, 2022
4 Comments
October 6, 2022 at 9:21 pm
I’m not sure if I need rest, since that’s what I do to excess, but after reading your blog this month, I was inspired to review, remove, and restore in my home and head!
Thanks, once again, for your delightful updates so relevant to many of us. Keep up the good work! And congratulations on the publication of your new novel!
October 11, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Oh, Jacqueline, I have so missed you and hope to spend time with you soon. Thanks for your kind remarks.
October 6, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Hi Elizabeth!
I appreciate all things feng shui and woo woo so we just might be kindred souls. For another perspective on housework, listen to the Medical Medium podcast number 501 “Messiness is Not a Moral Failure” with KC Davis. She wrote the book How to Keep House While Drowning.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Keep-House-While-Drowning/KC-Davis/9781668002841
As a Creative and someone who lives with chronic illness, I need both organization and clutter to move through the world and find those artful moments in painting and writing. KC Davis has some great upside down ideas that resonated.
October 11, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Yes, Robbie, I felt we were kindred spirits when I first met you in the early 80s, Thanks for the book and podcast suggestion. Sure hope we can visit the next time you are here. Hugs!