When endeavouring to describe the essence of home, and what it means for me. I have come to the  core truth that it is about creating a deep and supportive connection between who we are and the space that we call home. 

In order to feel truly at home, we need to feel that we belong. In order to feel that we belong we need to be able to recognise ourselves in our surroundings. To see our true selves reflected there. 

Often when clients ask me to consult with them on feng shui design they have felt confused having read many different books or articles and are unsure how this traditional wisdom can apply to their modern spaces in practical terms.

Dynamic Balance

Feng shui literally translated means wind and water; metaphorical language to describe energy in motion or dynamic balance. 

My understanding of feng shui having been a professional consultant for more than 25 years is that our built spaces need to change and evolve with us, reflecting who we are as our lives ripen, mature and unfold.

Surround yourself with what you love

My first piece of advice to my clients is always to “surround yourself with what you love” . 

Absolutely, follow feng shui advice in terms of first clearing out anything which is keeping you feeling stuck in a rut or stagnated. Then using mother nature as your guide, creating a dynamic flow of energy through your space.

We can begin to do this by allowing for both YIN, quiet, tucked-in spaces where we can retreat and regenerate and for YANG, expansive and active spaces where we can feel invigorated and energised. 

Personal connection

In the end, after all of the theory has been taken into account, we need to stand back and ask ourselves: Does this space feel like home to me? Do I see my-self, my true nature and what I love, reflected back to me here? This is the personal connection required to truly feel at home.

Home is essentially a place deep within our soul memory- it may not even exist in this reality…However, there are some places, some atmospheres which can instantly connect us to that re-membering. Striking that familiar chord deep within. That feeling which grabs us and enfolds us in a bear-hug of comfort and love. Like a warm bath, it makes us exhale, relax and release doubt, fear and tension. This I believe is the elusive HOME that we all seek. 

Putting it all together

So let’s weave together the threads that make up the tapestry of our individual sense of home and open ourselves up so that we can deepen our connection to the space in which we currently dwell. 

Excerpt from my book A Place to Call Home; feng shui design guidebook for design, connection and belonging.