When is a vacation, not a vacation?; When you don’t take a break from stress.
When is a vacation a Feng Shui vacation? When you balance the frantic Yang of your daily life with some Ying down-time.
One of my favorite bloggers wrote a thought-provoking business book review. But I was surprised to learn she read this book while on vacation! This was after a previous post about her kids pointing out she is always either working or thinking about work, and how she wanted to change this. She needs a Feng Shui Vacation.
The ancient Chinese did not take vacations. So we don’t have easy role models.
A feng shui vacation is not about a particular place to go, or activities to do, but about creating a sense of balance. Yang is activity, Ying is rest. We are so used to the frantic pace of our lives and the demands placed on us, that it takes some conscious thought and action to change when on vacation.
The ancient Chinese did not have electronics, so they were not distracted, annoyed, or invaded by electronic chatter and information overload. Their lives were less frenetic than ours. In between working the land to feed their families, they could enjoy the rhythms of sunrise and sunset, birdsong, the sound of river and ocean, and the smell of the earth and its offerings of food and flowers. This is something we can copy from the ancient Chinese.
Some friends were talking about vacation plans and a few are planning home-based day-trip vacations. One friend spoke eloquently about her plans to be “unplugged” this vacation, that it was the only way to have a real break from everyday stress.
So whether you are having an away-vacation or “stay-cation” here are some ideas on how to have a Feng Shui vacation that is restorative, renewing and relaxed.
Tips on How to Have a Feng Shui Vacation
Unplug!:
- Turn off your computer
- Take off your watch
- Turn off your cell phone
- Stop watching the news
- Stop watching TV – nothing but sorry reruns anyway.
- Now exhale.
Do something different:
Let go of goals, like “this vacation I will: run 10 miles, complete that project, start my diet, knock a stroke off my golf game,” and so on. You get the idea
If you are doing a home-based vacation or a long weekend:
- “Play tourist” in your hometown or region. There must be fun and interesting places you have put off enjoying because you “don’t have time.”
- Camp out in your own back yard – literally. Set up a tent.
- Sing songs around a campfire, kerosene lamp or cluster of pillar candles.
- Eat al fresco every night – even if it means taking your kitchen-prepared supper onto the back porch,a blanket on the lawn, or a nearby park.
- Enjoy your breakfast al fresco – you’re on vacation and don’t have to rush off to work or school.
- Take in an outdoor movie or live entertainment.
- Go on a culinary vacation and try new foods – a different ethnic restaurant or a new recipe.
- Since your TV is off, play some music and dance – alone or with your sweetie.
- While you are not doing the news, play music or audio book CD’s in your car.
- Take time to rest and day dream – this is when you reconnect with your deepest self.
Have fun!
Create spaces in your home that support you taking a break from stress. Contact Linda for a personal consultation.
Learn more about adding Feng Shui to your summer”
Gardens that Grow Wonderful Memories
Feng Shui Your Patio; Feng Shui Your Porch
dog photo by mjk23
cat photo by Abhijit Chandvankar
