Using your home to support you when you are anxious

As an high sensitive empath, I tend to feel a lot - (I guess that makes me a good interior designer and soul space creator?) . Sometimes the feeling is so strong and so overpowering I feel my whole body is paralysed. 

After diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I have become in touch with all my emotions. Sometimes I hate it, thinking why some kind of emotions can cause me so much heartache, pain and ultimately make me unable to function like a normal human being. However the awareness and then acceptance of these feelings mean that I’m able to employ different methods to feel grounded and safe.

Today is one of the day that my anxieties engulf me. My dear dog is going to have his neutering surgery. I have given him preparation, stroking his hair and ensuring that everything is fine. He gives me a cute looking face, wondering where he’s going and what unknowing disastrous act will be done to him.

Hendrick definitely knows something’s going on this morning…

What I forgot to do is to give myself the same amount of preparation. As you might know, I spend all my time with my dog and Hendrick has become my greatest supporter and companion since I got him last year. My logical mind tell me the neutering is a safe procedure, but my heart is unbelievably anxious.

After sending him to the clinic, I walked home in the rainy weather and knew in 100% certainty that today I needed to be gentle to myself, and fall into the arms of my supportive home.

Open the window 

First thing I did when I got home is to open the window for awhile. Despite the cold weather outside, letting fresh air in helps me to be grounded, know that the air element of the Universe is here with me. If you have a garden, I encourage you to stay in your garden for a wee while to feel the nourishing energy your healing space offers

Sense of smell

A lot of us have underestimated the power of scent. Essential oil is a great way to calm our nerves. Lavender is my go-to as it’s non-toxic to pets and also just smell divine! 

Another thing to reach out for healing is to use incense at your home. Incense is traditionally used as a way to connect to the higher spirits; when you’re in a state of unshakable anxieties and feel like it’s beyond your control, it’s a good idea just to connect with some healing energies from the divine

Calming lighting and colour

 Generally I’m prone to anxieties because of my history of mental illness, so I’ve opted for calming colour like green and pale blue in my home. However, when I’m in a state of heightened emotions, I need everything to be as calming as possible, so I’d turn off all spotlights at home. I’d go for some warm and soothing light just to create an atmosphere that I can relax

Shift your own energy 

There are a couple of ways you can instantly shift your energy. The first is moving 27 things in your home. It can simply be placing things in a drawer, throwing a paper, moving the candle from your bedside table to your bookshelf. When you’re shifting these 27 things, concentrate on the act of lifting an object up, and moving it. Meanwhile breathing slowly. Have a go and see if it’ll make you feel better?

Move 27 things to shift your energy

Otherwise you can easily shift your energy with meditation. I’ve just done an amazing one with my soul bliss retreat group. Or if you feel your home is not supportive or nourishing enough, try the free alpha-waves boosted meditation I’ve created for you

The bottom line is we all have some days that we’re anxious and you can feel like there’s nothing can be done. We just need to accept that it’s one of those days and trust that this too shall pass. When I finish writing this blog, I feel that by voicing it out heals me as well, and of course wrapping myself in a comfy blanket helps. I’d love to know what other tools you employ when you’re anxious? Or are you an empath like me?

If you want to get more tips in having a nourishing home, click the button below!

4 ways to use your home as support when you are angry

A few weeks ago I experienced racism, for the first time since I moved to Edinburgh. Covid has definitely upset a lot of our usual routines, and with the lack of education some folks were unfortunately convinced that all Chinese-looking (I’m from Hong Kong, but this lengthy topic better wait until another time) people are carriers of this pandemic which has disrupted so many people’s lives.

I was on the way to Tesco in my neighbourhood and an elderly lady stopped in front of me, cough right to my face.

I was shocked.

I was mad.

I was speechless.

I could have initiated an argument but I think the shock was far too big for me to actually verbalise how I was feeling, and I simply didn’t believe such thing would happen in my neighbourhood which is shared by so many different nationalities. It was simply beyond my understanding that at current time of anxieties about this scary disease, someone would actually cough to another person’s face. Even when we are not in covid, isn’t it rather impolite to do that?

There was not much I could do, I carried on getting my groceries at Tesco but I was fuming. I wanted to shout, to scream of this horrifying treatment that I received. And while I was at Tesco, all I wanted to do was go back to my safe space - my home to work through the emotions.

Make your entrance as welcoming as possible

As soon as I turned my key, I felt a new waves of energy diluting my anger. I love the entrance of my home; a bench with macrame cushions, a star map of the time when my husband and I got married. I particular chose the colour blue at that time, knowing that I would want a calming energy to welcome me when I arrive home. And when I was fuming, the entrance helped to calm me down so I didn’t direct my anger to my husband or my dog. Of course, it’s always nice to go home to a dog wagging his tail. A dog really is a blessing isn’t it?

The cushion with macrame textures immediately create softness and calmness to the entrance

Get comfortable with cushions, throws

Sense of touch is extremely important when it comes to nourishments and supports. Grab your loved cushions, throws and lie on the sofa for a moment. Get extremely comfortable and cozy, allow your emotions to released through your sense of touch. Do you feel your fingers agitated, or shaking? Or do you feel the need to move your body to settle in? Take note of what your body is telling you, and then if you want, just throw the cushion as hard as you can - symbolising the anger is out of your body!

Candles to bring in new energy

There’s something extremely powerful about the fire energy that candles carry. Traditionally in feng shui, candles put in certain directions are thought to be bringing in abundance, opportunities. And candles are always used in a lot of religious and spiritual rituals. I’m sure candles mean different things to different people - but when I was in an angry state, I like to light up a tea light candle in a candleholder that reads “Root Chakra” - it’s a confirmation that I’m safe, I’m nurtured, I’m at where exactly I should be.

Looking at the candle wax growing longer and longer, until the point the frame diminishes is almost a recognition of my feeling, and when the smoke becomes part of the air - it’s like the feeling has been released and let go. This is my go-to tool to release my anger or disappointments.

Meditate facing the wisdom direction

Everyone has their own kua number and there’s specific wisdom direction. When an unwelcoming feeling surfaced in my heart, I’d like to meditate facing my wisdom direction to obtain guidance from the universe. Every single action in our life is a soul lesson, and part of our soul journey. Rather than letting the anger consumes us, let’s see what this lesson can teach us - and facing your wisdom direction whilst doing it offers you cosmic support, as well as allowing you to be in touch with the spirits easier.

After a short meditation, I was able to reframe the experience - it is a lesson to teach me to forgive, and it actually ignites the fire inside me to educate the public about the importance of treating everyone equally. (Well, I’m a libra who really values justice and equality). If you feel drawn, you can also pull an oracle card while facing your wisdom direction. My experience is, my intuition and my ability to receive download always increase when I face the wisdom direction.

As you’ve brought some of the anger energy into your home, you don’t want it to linger, so perhaps it’s a time to do a space clearing meditation (I’ve created a free one for you which you can download here)

You’ll feel much lighter after this!

The truth is, I used to be very angry all the time - I blame the hectic lifestyle of Hong Kong, or the fact that I just feel suffocated in the space. However, I begin to realise that anger happens for a reason, a lot of the time we are actually angry about part of ourselves. I invite you to look into the anger at the comfort of your home, because that is part of soul journey, and it will take you closer to your true soul essence.

Want to see whether your space is supportive enough? Click the below button and book a complimentary soul space assessment call