If you do work from home sometimes or all the time, it’s best to have an area in your home that is dedicated solely to work. This helps create more focus, which means you can be alert and productive while you are working. Your work area should be a space that you’ve carved out for yourself with a specific intention. It can be a whole room, or it can simply be a desk that you’ve designated as your work-from-home station.
Having a Desk in the Bedroom
It’s a good idea to be mindful of the location of your desk, because your desk represents your work and career. In general, a bedroom isn’t the most ideal location for a workspace because it can be hard to focus when you know your bed is right next to you. The bedroom should be a relaxing, rejuvenating space, and having your desk here can shift the energy from restful to stressful. This means that bringing work into the bedroom is not ideal for sleep or romance. However, sometimes it’s necessary to place a desk here if space is at a premium, or if you live with roommates. If your desk is in your bedroom right now, and you can’t move it somewhere else, don’t panic. Feng shui gives us tools to shift the energy in our spaces so that they can better support us, and there are always ways to make the most of your current situation.
Working With What You Have
The goal of feng shui isn’t to label things in your home as good or bad. Instead, we encourage you to be curious about what you notice in your home and work with what you have. Instead of being fearful that a desk in your bedroom is going to create “bad” energy, you can use feng shui to help balance the energy in your bedroom to better support you. If you do need to have your desk in your bedroom, try to create two separate zones in the room: a work zone and a relaxation zone. Your work zone is where your desk will be, and where you keep your computer and any work materials. Your relaxation zone will be your desk, which should ideally be dedicated to sleeping, reading, and intimacy.
Where to Place Your Desk
If possible, try to place your desk in the commanding position. When your desk is in command, you’ll be able to see the door or entrance to your bedroom while you’re sitting in your desk chair. This will allow you to feel in control of your work, your productivity, and your career. Depending on your bedroom size and layout, putting your desk in the commanding position may not always be possible. If this is the case, you can use a small mirror to reflect the door that’s behind you. Place the mirror on your computer monitor or on the wall you are facing, and make sure it’s positioned so that you can see the door reflected in the mirror.
Balance Yin and Yang
In feng shui, we look at different types of qi, or energy. You may be familiar with the concept of yin and yang, which describes two opposite types of energy that are always present and always moving in relationship with one another. Yin is softer, darker, and more passive, while yang is brighter, faster, and more active. Work requires more yang energy, while to improve sleep and relaxation we need to have more yin energy. When you do have a work space in the bedroom, it’s important to create a balance between yin and yang so that you are able to unwind and rest when you aren’t working. To shift the energy to be more yin, you can use lighting. First, turn the lights down towards the end of the day, or use circadian lighting to signal to your body that it’s time to relax. It’s also a good idea to turn off your computer (or even better, unplug it) when you’re done working for the day. You can also use blackout blinds or curtains to make sure your room is as dark as possible while you’re sleeping.
Get Grounded With the Earth Element
Another way we can shift the energy in our spaces is by working with the five elements. Each element is connected to different types of energy and qualities we may want to enhance or cultivate in our lives. Earth is one of the five elements and earth qi is very nurturing and supportive. Bringing more earth into your bedroom will help balance the distracting energy of work that your desk represents and help you feel more grounded and stable. You can add earth by adding yellow to your bedroom decor because the color yellow represents the earth element. You can also place an item on your desk that comes from the earth, like a crystal, stone, or piece of pottery.
