Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

How To Feng Shui Your Desk and Improve Your Life

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

Would you like to improve your chances for prosperity, love, 
recognition, career, health and relationships?

That's what I thought...who wouldn't?

And what if I told you that all you need to do is re-arrange the stuff on your desk?

Stop laughing! Before you send me packing, bear with me.

Feng Shui...c'mon, say it with me..."fung shway"...
is an ancient Chinese art practiced for over 5000 years. 
The premise is that the energy, or "Chi," (chee) in your living or work environment 
is affected by the objects in it, and how they are placed. 
The objects interact with, and influence your personal energy flow. 

In other words, do you think better when your desk is piled high with papers
from the year 20 B.B. (Before Blacklist)...or when it's neat and tidy?

I rest my case.
 
How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui




Can I guarantee that this will work? 
Well, no.

Am I an expert in Feng Shui? 
I'm no Chi-whiz, but I do know more than the average panda bear. 
 For an in-depth lesson, you'll have to go elsewhere,  
but if you want to have some fun, read on.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

If the idea is to arrange objects so invisible energy can flow more easily, 
and improve your life, you may be wondering...

 How do I know where to put my stuff?

A Feng Shui map, called a Bagua chart, is the key. 
It's divided into nine sections, and correlates to areas in a house, a room, 
or even just a desk. 
Different colors and elements are associated with each area. 
For instance, if you want to improve your finances, you'll need to put a purple item, something representing water, or a secondary color or element, like wood, in the Wealth area. 

Just a note here - don't take everything literally.
You won't need to set your desk ablaze to satisfy the fire element.  
It can be symbolic.
How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

Two things are super-important when it comes to desks and Feng Shui.

 Don't sit with your back to the door.  
Your desk should be placed so that you can see the entrance. 
If you can't reposition it, put a mirror on the desk to reflect the entrance, 
like I've done. 
 (This is optional for parents who have eyes in the back of their heads). 
The placement of your desk is one of the most important priorities in Feng Shui, 
the others being the positioning of your bed and stove. 

De-clutter your desk area. 
Nothing stops Chi in its tracks like piles of old magazines
and empty yogurt containers. 
This means the space under your desk, too, 
so gather up those old shoes and find them a new home. 

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

Let's focus on the individual areas.
  I've laid the Bagua chart over my empty desk.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

WEALTH/OPPORTUNITY/PROSPERITY:
Use purple, red, green, black, water features (such as a fountain or photo of water), expensive items, candles, wood, rectangular items.
 
Show me the money! Use purple to stimulate your cash flow. I put a square of purple paper in the drawer in the Wealth area. No drawer? Cut a square of felt or paper to any size, and put it under an object, or even secure it to the underside of your desk. 

Phones are best placed in the Wealth area. The "ringing" stimulates more money coming to you. I'm not quite sure how that works if you've got a Justin Bieber ringtone.

A lamp is good in any section of the Bagua grid, as it "brightens" that area. I decided to light up my financial prospects. 
 
How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

FAME/RECOGNITION/RESPECT: 
Use red, purple, green, candles, wood, paper, animal prints, plants, your own business cards, and triangle-shaped objects.

Heat up the Fame area with something red. Whether or not you want to be the next finalist on The Voice, this area can enhance your reputation, help you gain notoriety or recognition (or, blog followers!).  My red vase and animal print note pads intensify esteem and respect.  It's the perfect place to display my awards. 

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

MARRIAGE/RELATIONSHIPS:
Use pink, red, white, yellow, pottery, metal, candles, squares, cubes, photos of spouses/partners.
 
Think pink to spice up relationships, and not just romantic ones -- this corner refers to any relationship. I put a square of pink paper, and a couple of pink post-it pads in the drawer A photo of me and hubby in a metal frame was a no-brainer.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

CHILDREN/CREATIVITY:
Use white, gray, black, yellow, metal, pottery, stones, circles, spheres, photos of children, notepads to jot down creative thoughts. 
 
Jump-start your creativity with something white, metal, or circular. This is one area you won't want to mess around with, especially if your job requires the use of your left brain. I used a round, metal bowl with paper clips to enhance this spot. In the drawer below, I've got some envelopes to satisfy the "white" requirement.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

HELPFUL PEOPLE/TRAVEL:
Use gray, silver, white, black, metal, pottery, water-themed objects, circles, other people's business cards, travel books, travel photos, souvenirs, contact lists, client files.  

This is a gray area...literally, but let's be very black and white about this - we all need to have a support system of helpful people. I've put some travels books, other people's business cards, a gray and black travel-themed note pad and silver metal pen in my drawer. 

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

CAREER/LIFE PATH:
Use black, midnight blue, white, items symbolic of water, (such as things with wavy patterns), photos of water scenes, metal, wood, work-related items.

Get down to business with black and blue. Whether you use your desk for a paying job, a hobby like blogging, or to manage the family's finances, sprucing up the Career area will stimulate your success. This area also represents your life path, not just your work life. I lined the drawer with a piece of black wallpaper with a wavy pattern (symbolic of ocean waves), added a wooden ruler, and incorporated lots of metal -- laptop, scissors, hole-punch, etc. 

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshuiKNOWLEDGE/WISDOM/INSPIRATION:
Use blue, black, green, wood, paper, plants, reference materials, diplomas, inspirational quotes or books, squares, items symbolic of water.
 
Violets are blue, and knowledge is, too. To stoke the area representing learning and inspiration, I placed a blue piece of paper, and some inspirational books in the drawer. A green plant, symbolic of wood, sits on top of a reference book.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

FAMILY/ROOTS/ANCESTORS:
Use green, black, blue, wood, water elements, items passed down from ancestors, plants, rectangular objects, vertical items, pictures of mountains, family photos
 
Strengthen family roots with green. This section is important for improving unity and creating strong family bonds, as well as reminding us of our key priorities. A small family photo fits the bill (yes, there is a photo in that frame). I like to think the plant roots in the green pot is doing double duty for both the Knowledge and Family sections.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshuiHEALTH:
Use yellow, red, white, pottery, ceramics, smooth stones, squares, cubes.
 
Yellow represents the picture of good health. The center of the bagua chart is responsible for keeping mental and physical well-being in check. Some say it's the most important part of the bagua chart, which fits with the saying, "If you've got your health you've got everything." I used a yellow square of paper, a pottery dish, and some yellow highlighters for good measure. This area shouldn't be too crowded.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

That was a lot of information, I know.
The suggestions I gave aren't an exhaustive list,
but hopefully, it's enough to get you started, and have some fun.

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui

Feng Shui is not a superstition, or get-rich-quick scheme. 
It's a serious, ancient philosophy.
If it's got 5000 years of staying power, I figure there's got to be something to it!

How To Feng Shui Your Desk: Want to improve your chances for prosperity, recognition, career, health and relationships? Just rearrange the stuff on your desk! Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #fengshui



I'd love to hear your thoughts about Feng Shui.
Do you buy into it? 
Have you practiced it?
Will you give it a try?
mstoodygooshoes.blogspot.com

You may also like:

Mud rooms can be pretty as well as functional.  Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
The Butterfly Effect and The Mudroom

Linking With:

28 comments:

  1. Amy - how organized and stylish!!! Thanks for sharing all those tips. Now, please come help me Feng Shui :) Stay fabulous - xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, my! I can't tell how much stuff there's on my desk, under it and on every inch around it. At least, it's facing the door, so it's something to begin with! I know I have to do something about it, it's just that there's always a more pressing matter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pretty and fresh! Looks like a great space for working or playing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eeeks! No wonder I'm so out of luck--it's my desk's fault. No kidding, my office desk is an embarrassment. Your's on the other hand is beautiful! I've already asked Doreen to help me tackle organizing my office after tax season.

    This was fun! One of my sisters puts all of these things into practice in her house and shop.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I believe there is a lot to Feng Shui. Pondside was built with the principals in mind and it was a happy house. You'd have laughed if you could have seen us on the weekend - we moved our bed for the third time in two days and I have finally had a good sleep in the auspicious direction which is north. For whatever reason, it works for me!

    ReplyDelete
  6. your desk looks great having used all of those feng shui concepts! I hope it will work for you. I'm not a big believer in that kind of stuff but it's fun to follow it just in case. it certainly can't hurt!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I believe there is truly something to this! What a fantastic tutorial - now I need to put it into practice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd say more than anything else its the organization that really helps. Having everything neat and in order de-clutters your mind. Someday I'll get around Feng Shui-ing my desk...room...life ;)

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Amy, I suppose it is worth a try. I really do need to de-clutter my desk; however then I probably will not find anything. I suppose I have an organized "clutter". I think you understand. xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm quite the organizer, so maybe I am into it but never knew!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That was honestly very interesting. I've lived in China before but I never allowed anyone to talk me in about feng shui. I mean it probably isn't bad just that I know that I can't dutifuly follow every rule all the time. In fact I have so much of purple around me and that is probably why I am not wealthy 'coz I 've put them in all wrong places :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I lived in China for two years, never met anyone practicing this ancient philosophy:) I do believe though that keep things clutter-free will enhance your prosperity and clarity of mind, as well as good relationships and health-- through not loosing papers and being on top of things. When my desk is in order, so are my thoughts, and family affairs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amy, forgot to ask about the book that is in your desk-- "Common Sense, a book of wit and wisdom". Did you like it?

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  16. love your tutorial and the decorating thanks for sharing visiting from weekend social have a great day

    ReplyDelete
  17. AMY I just did a post mentioning this one and lol it has nada to do with feng shui but a set of coincidences that started with this post of yours showing Sarah's book.

    http://www.frugallittlebungalow.com/coincidences-clear-take-lightly/

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG I sooooo need this!! Our house is overflowing with crap we are saving for the kids when they move out, so they won't be living off floors and I have been complaining that it is really messing up my feng shui. Hubs just laughs and puts more sh*t on the piles of stuff we are accumulating...but I am not kidding!!! I am so pinning this and saving it for when these grown men (22 and 20) finally get out of my house. I am going to try it. I will feature this post this week! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home.
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amy, what an informative post, and very stylish, I might add! I'll take your beautiful, white desk, with or without the wonders of feng shui! Thanks for the pretty pics and for explaining this ancient, artistic Chinese philosophy of life!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow Amy! You put a lot of work into this post, and it shows! Very nicely done.

    I'm afraid there's no way for me to have my desk face the door, nor place a mirror in such a way that will fix that. So I guess I'm destined to continue to be the unlucky, unenlightened, poor slob that I am. There's always chocolate though ;).

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've known some about Feng Shui for a while but your post has increased both my knowledge and my interest to learn and practice More .. so on that note,, many thanks to you...

    Sonny , your newest follower- found you through Brenda at Cozy Little Home

    ReplyDelete
  22. I actually just rearranged my desk, because of this post LOL I hope it works :)

    Found you via Brenda as well.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've always been fascinated by feng shui, but I don't know a lot about it. There is so much awesome information here. You've definitely got me thinking about how I can apply this to my desk.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your desk has inspired me. I have a question. Where would I place my monthly bills at?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can place your bills anywhere you'd like, as long as it is neat and orderly. Perhaps in a pretty folder, or in a clear plastic envelope in a drawer.

      Delete

PRIVACY POLICY: I will never share your email information with others. I use your email to respond to your comments on my blog, or to interact socially with you.