Feng Shui can guide first impressions in your home

What do you see when you first awaken in the morning? When you enter each room in your home? When you drive up to your office? When you open your office door? When you drive into your garage? When you enter your home?

First impressions are lasting impressions. They set the tone of how you feel: for the day, in that room, at work, at home. Even when you are not consciously aware of them.

When we first awaken in the morning, we generally do not look as good as we will later. That is one of the reasons why mirrors in bedrooms are not considered good feng shui. The image of your barely awake self probably doesn’t reflect the vibrant, vital person you can be once you have your morning coffee or do your morning exercises. It can actually make you feel tired all day, even after a good night’s sleep.

If the first thing you see upon waking is a John Kennedy sculpture called “Friends and Lovers” it starts your day feeling supported and well loved by your mate, even if s/he is away on a business trip.

Perhaps your immediate goal is to feel self sufficient and independent after a debilitating divorce. A painting or sculpture of a strong single person the same gender as you are can help you start your day with confidence.

Few people who have home exercise equipment feel they use it as much as they “should.” George had his exercise bike in his Family Room to remind him to use it. And it did. Remind him. ALL the time. It dominated the room.

However, when he converted his golf cart garage into an exercise room (he doesn’t play golf) he found he exercised more regularly and with more enjoyment. When he went there, he was there to exercise. When George was in his family room, he was able to relax more completely. That one change made a huge difference in how he felt about himself, he was more fit, healthier, and even slept better.

If your garage is filled with furniture you’re keeping for your next, larger home it is a constant reminder you aren’t happy where you are. If you truly like each piece, you would be far better served by spending the extra money to store it in a separate storage facility. Or perhaps loan it to a friend to use in the meantime. Without the constant reminder of your yet unrealized dreams, you will be freer to attain them.

The first thing Jennifer sees when she enters her bathroom is a framed poster of a terracotta angel floating on a cloud from the Athens Archaeological Museum. Every time she sees it she feels supported by her faith, blessed by the joy of her vacation in Greece, which honours her ability to provide for herself financially.

We get so accustomed to our surroundings we hardly consciously see it. However, it still impacts us subconsciously. Just for fun, try this exercise: At First Sight. Make a list of all of the firsts: Garage, First Room (Laundry?), Kitchen, Breakfast Room, Dining, Living Room, Family Room, Entry, Hallway, Master Bedroom, Master Bath, Guest Bedroom/s, Guest Bath/s, Home Office, Powder Room, Upon Awakening. Then walk through your home and note what you see first. Then look over your list and assess the cumulative feelings those firsts generate.

Let your First Sights feed your soul.