Feng Shui

With 2022 around the corner and the door of 2021 still open, it is curious how doors have been both physical and metaphorical this year. We had physical doors falling off, we installed interior ones, the fridge door still needs integrating and laundry doors had to be replaced. Personally, 'doors' were closed for no reason other than age which is frustrating but others opened unexpectedly. My husband stepped out of a long-term career into a new one but not without hurdles to clear. New friends opened doors and older friendships opened up even further while, sadly, other friends closed

No, it isn't at Tiffany's - although the store has finally given in and created a cafe to fulfil the fantasy! It all started when we went on holidays for some peace and quiet in the middle of the Belgian countryside. Each morning a full breakfast was presented on a white tablecloth using the owner's inherited coffee cups and bowls. Served with love and elegance. Classical music was softly playing, an amazing view of poppies in a field from the table, fresh coffee, croissants and local fruit and cheeses eased us gently in to the day. We haven't quite replicated

Dinah Washington sang with emphasis, "what a difference, a day makes, 24 little hours..." This song is in my head as I contemplate the past week of positive outcomes. New work projects, new friends by chance and steps forward in the land of French bureaucracy. It looks as if my social security number may be delivered in the next 10 days. Note the word 'may'! My husband's residency card should be picked up at the end of July and we are both completely vaccinated. A yacht cruise with a group we have never met ended up connecting with four

Every entrance in Feng Shui is considered the 'mouth' of the place and it is also sets the scene when you enter. We have been in our French apartment for six months and whilst we love the building, the entrance is sad. So like good neighbours, we got the syndicat's permission to paint. We were told that the French 'don't do DIY' and it was obvious as we looked at the tired dark wooden paneling in our entrance, along with old traditional tomato tiles which are falling apart, a drab wooden yellowing post box and bits of plaster falling

A climate demonstration went by the beach last week chanting in French that the Earth was warming and we need to ban plastics. I reflected on the sand we were sitting on, pondering that it is really particles of rock, glass, wood with some shell ground together in rough salt water to become the earth. Earth in the Bagua map represents the grounding of Chi energy in the home and focusing on the centre. The Earth element is also in the Relationship and the Knowledge/Self-Cultivation sectors. It is about knowing yourself and what is truly important to life. Consider

We have had lockdowns in the South of France for the last two weekends which means little inspiration around interior design or Feng Shui. We are about to finally sign for our apartment so watch this space for more Feng Shui conversations next week!