Been through a breakup recently? Had a stressful time with work or school? Coping with, as a totally random example, a global pandemic and a tumultuous election?
If your home–a space that should be your refuge–feels hostile, dark, or draining, then it might be time to take action. Clearing the negative energy from your home isn’t as weird as you think. Even if you don’t quite believe in the idea that bad vibes can hang around, performing a cleansing ritual can help things feel lighter and brighter.
Step One: Get Some Fresh Air
A stuffy environment with stagnant air and trapped odors will always feel bad. If you’re able to do so, open the windows and let in some fresh air! Crank up a fan or two to get that air moving. You could even use a handheld folding fan or a broom to “shoo” the negativity out of a door or window.
It helps to visualize the negativity leaving your space, being replaced by fresh, vibrant energy.
Clean Up, Declutter, and Repair
Sometimes the negative feeling comes from literal mess. A dirty home isn’t as comfortable or restful as a clean one. As a dedicated pack rat who’d rather watch Netflix than do housework, I know all too well the temptation to blow off chores. However, I recently moved into a new apartment that I’ve promised to keep “company ready” at all times. The difference in how I feel is really remarkable.
If you want to get new-age about it, the clutter in your home can block the natural energy pathways. The bad juju accumulates like cobwebs and dust bunnies–along with the literal scruff that collects when you don’t keep up with your chores.
Broken items can contribute their own brand of bad feelings. You might feel guilt or obligation over a broken item that needs to be either fixed or thrown away. Leaving it stuck in that in-between state isn’t good for you, the item, or the energy flow of your home.
Use Your Senses
The cleansing of negative energy is part of many different cultural traditions. In some cultures, ringing a bell or hanging up wind chimes is said to dispel negativity or lingering spirits. You can try bells, chimes, or singing bowls. If that feels a little too woo-woo, just put on some uplifting music. Even clapping your hands is said to break up those bad vibes!
Smudging–the practice of burning dried sage, palo santo, juniper, or other herbs–has caught on with mainstream America, but it’s actually an ancient practice among First Nations people. If you’re concerned about cultural appropriation, a diffuser with your favorite essential oil or even a scented candle can take the place of sage.
To appeal to your sense of sight, consider creating a small altar or grouping of items that make you feel positive and calm. For some people, those objects might be religious in nature. Others prefer crystals and candles. You might collect a picture of your loved ones or a souvenir from a trip that brought you joy. This is a personal expression of what makes your soul happy and content.
Ward Your Home Against Bad Vibes
Once you feel like the energy in your home is improving, try a few of these tricks to keep the negativity from returning. Sprinkling salt water in the corners of each room, as well as along windowsills and thresholds, is an ancient folk practice. The combination is said to keep evil spirits away. For the sake of modern convenience, you can mix a teaspoon of salt in a spray bottle filled with water and spritz to your heart’s content.
Some folks swear by quartz crystals for maintaining the healthy energy of your living space. Others put a piece of iron, such as an old key or horse shoe, over the exterior doors. I like to keep a pot of rosemary on my kitchen windowsill along with a few prisms that catch the morning light and fill the space with rainbows.
The trick is to experiment with different things and figure out what works for you. Don’t let people’s preconceived notions–including your own–stop you from trying!
