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

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Parks Hunter's Creek
A kitchen at Parks Hunter's Creek organized neatly to maximize positive energy flow.

It can be difficult to keep your UCF apartment organized when you're a busy college student. No matter what is going on in your life, balancing your classes, mental health, and cleanliness can be a struggle. Luckily for students at the University of Central Florida, Feng Shui is a Chinese technique that combines organization with meditation, and it's easy to practice at apartments near UCF.

Why Feng Shui?

Translated literally from the Chinese words for "wind" and "water", the goal of Feng Shui is to use spatial arrangement to create balance with the natural world and establish harmony between a person and their environment. In simpler terms, the practice is about organizing belongings, furniture, and decorations in a way that evokes positive emotions for the person living there. If you've heard of the Marie Kondo method of tidying, Feng Shui is comparable. Although Feng Shui stems from spiritual beliefs about the flow of Qi, or cosmic energy, it also contains many practical tips for keeping an orderly home, and these tips are applicable in all UCF apartments from one bedroom to four.

Clearing Negative Energy From Your Orlando Apartment

The first step to clearing the negative energy from your home is to tidy up. Those who practice Feng Shui believe that if the flow of Qi in your living space is disrupted, you will see negative results which may reflect on your wealth, happiness, or family relationships. Tidying up the clutter lying around your UCF apartment will not only make your environment look a lot better, but it will also help get rid of any negative energy those items may be causing.

Step number two is to take a look at your furniture and rearrange what isn't working for you. Is there a chair you constantly stub your toe on? Relocate it to somewhere out of the way. Do you have a table taking up unnecessary space in the center of a room? Move it aside and reclaim that space. Feng Shui focuses on utility above all things, so if your furniture is hindering your productivity, it's also blocking the flow of Qi through your home. If you feel like your apartment has this problem, take some time to consider what you want your space to look like, then make it happen. Just remember to consult with your roommates before you completely reorganize your apartment.

Fostering Positive Energy

Out with the old, in with the new! A great way to start cultivating positive energy in your home is to decorate your apartment with things that make you happy. Your living area is a reflection of yourself, especially when it comes to your bedroom. Consider displaying personal mementos that bring happy memories to mind, and frame pictures of loved ones. Hang a University of Central Florida pendant for some school spirit or purchase some potted plants for a green vibe. Don't forget to decorate your balcony too. Just like Marie Kondo says, choose decorations that spark joy!

Keep the Energy Flowing

Now that the Qi is flowing freely through your home, the last step is to maintain that positive energy. Set a cleaning schedule for yourself to keep the apartment tidy or strive to pick up clutter for just five minutes a day. Try meditating on things in your home that cause your energy to drag and find ways to improve them. Get your roommates on board too; the job will be easier with more helping hands. If you are diligent and continue to follow the practices of Feng Shui, you will be rewarded with happiness, productivity, and mental well-being.

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