Q&A Sunday: Does My Feng Shui Need Updates?

Is feng shui something that you set up once for a given room, and then you are good for life?  Or is it something that changes with life events or the seasons? 

Jacob G., Washington D.C.

As with most things in life, my teachers always taught me that “it depends!" So there is more than one answer to this question.  In BTB Feng Shui, my teachers have taught me that it only takes one feng shui adjustment to transform your entire life. In fact, it’s considered unfavorable to ask for too many feng shui adjustments, because it means that you don’t trust the method that you were already given. My teachers described this as acting like a “hungry ghost," always wanting more, like an addiction. Rather than do too many adjustments, it is more important to do one thing well, and fully and mindfully put your energy into that. 

So, theoretically yes, if you set up your home authentically and appropriately according to feng shui principles it’s possible to be “set” for the rest of your life. But unfortunately, most of us (myself included) have subconscious blocks that we are not aware of that hinder us from truly changing our lives. In this case you can imagine a huge tangled knot. In order to unravel things, you need to undo one small knot at a time. Sometimes one amazing shift informs another positive step forward. And on the other hand, we are not static creatures but change all the time like the seasons in nature. I have clients who have me consult for them every season, as their lives shift and change and they adapt to the new and wonderful opportunities that feng shui has presented to them. Situations like this are not about being a “hungry ghost," but rather they are going with what life presents to them and doing what they can to harness the positive chi (life energy) and make the most nurturing and productive environment to achieve all their life goals.

by Anjie Cho


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”).  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!


Swap Out Commercial Cleaners for DIY All-Natural Alternatives

Before you roll-up your sleeves and get down to a good, deep cleanse around the house, let’s talk about the type of cleaners you’re using. When you walk down the cleaning products aisle, the labels call out with powerful statements about killing bacteria and viruses. Other bottles claim to root out mold and demolish mildew or give your windows a streak-free shine. Sounds good, right? 

What if I told you there’s something better? Something safer. Something that will deep clean and leave behind a fresh scent without chemical components. Even better, what if I told you that it’s something you could make on your own? Here are 5 do-it-yourself cleaners that will be good for the environment, good for you, and good for your wallet

The basics: 

When you’re making out your shopping list, you’re going to want to stock up on white vinegar, baking soda, tea-tree oil, and lemons. These simple ingredients are powerhouse natural cleaners. As you dig into the recipes here or find others to experiment with online, you’ll quickly learn that at least one of these basics is a component you’re going to need. 

1. Glass cleaner

Grab a spray bottle and add two cups of water to it. Combine ½ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of your favorite scented essential oil. I recommend trying a citrus scented oil or peppermint. Shake the spray bottle gently to combine the ingredients. Spray the solution on a microfiber cloth and apply it to your window or mirror to clean. 

2. All-purpose cleaner

You’re not going to want to use this one on your windows, but everything else is fair game. Combine ¾ cup of water with ½ cup of rubbing alcohol and a squirt of natural dish soap. Add the same essential oil you used to clean your windows. You can combine these in another squirt bottle for easy application. 

3. Removing mold and mildew

Tea-tree oil is a natural disinfectant and one you ought to keep around the house for a myriad of uses. One task ideal for tea-tree oil is banishing mold and mildew. Add a couple of teaspoons of the oil to 2 cups of water and spray the mixture on the area you wish to clean. You’re going to want to let it sit – the more deeply rooted the mold and mildew, the longer you want to leave it. When you’re ready to remove the cleaner, apply some baking soda. If you’re working on a vertical surface, you may need to make the baking soda into a thick paste with a bit of water. If you’ve cleaned a horizontal service and the tea-tree treated water is still pooled there, just sprinkle enough baking soda to form a paste. Using a small brush, scrub the area gently and then rinse. For tougher stained grout and tile, try using some peroxide, either on its own or in a paste with baking soda. Apply, let sit, and then scrub as needed.

4. Garbage disposal

If you’ve got a garage disposal that smells a little funky, there’s a natural freshen-up for that, too. The next time you’re enjoying an orange or using lemon in a dish, save the peels. Fill an ice cube tray with them and top each cube off with white vinegar. For an added aromatic boost, throw in sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary or lavender. When you want to freshen things up, toss in a frozen cube and turn on the garbage disposal.

5. Wood polish

Treat your wooden furniture to a natural clean with a few items from your kitchen. Combine the juice of one lemon with a tablespoon of water and a tablespoon of grapeseed or olive oil in a small jar. Seal the jar tightly and shake the ingredients until they emulsify. Using a clean cloth, apply the mixture to your furniture.

by Anjie Cho


Business, Bliss + Balance: Featuring Anjie Cho

I'm thrilled to share that I am part of my friend Beth Larsen's free interview series: Strategies for Women Who Want Success Without Sacrificing Their Health, Happiness or Relationships. Beth Larsen is a Certified High Performance Coach, Law of Attraction coach and the founder of the Unlock Your Natural Abundance Group Coaching Program. Her new series features daily interviews delivered straight to your inbox on topics like balance in your body and relationships, aligning your energy to support your dreams and goals, and so much more! 

Sign up for Beth's series here and receive your daily interview to help coach you toward finding and achieving harmony and success in your life. The series began on March 5 and ends on March 25. My interview with Beth will air on Wednesday, March 14. If you miss it, you can still sign up and listen to all the interviews at the end of the series!  

As a bonus, anyone who signs up for the Holistic Spaces newsletter through Beth's interview will receive 20% off at the Holistic Spaces store. As Beth says, "You have nothing to lose - except for the stress and poor habits."

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