We have all the creams and potions and journals and
everything of who we want to become and it gets cluttered and
even though it might be pretty stuff or it smells.
Good or whatever. We don't use it.
And so I just want you to think for a second what that's saying
to you. Like I don't have time.
I'm going to get to that eventually your.
House is always. Having a conversation with you
and so when you are mindful and you edit it and you are like
this matters and this other stuff needs to find a different
home, it changes how? You feel so a really good rule.
Of thumb is the closer something is to you.
The. Bigger, it's influence.
And so in your bedroom, as you can imagine, it's your bed, it's
your mattress, it's your night stand, it's everything that's
immediately around you has a really high level of influence.
You're now listening to Design Curious.
The place where you. Creative one are here to learn
about what it. Really.
Is like to be an interior designer and I'm your host and
mentor, Rebecca Ward. If you're worried about how to
succeed in a creative career. If you're ready to learn your
next steps to become an interior designer, and if you want the
satisfaction of doing something, you.
Love every day. You are in the right.
Place grab a coffee. A notebook and let's dig into
today's episode. Hello and welcome to episode 176
of Design Curious podcast. Today on the podcast, I have
guest Amanda Gibby Peters. She is the founder and visionary
behind Simply Shui, a modern mission driven, love based
approach to Feng Shui that helps people around the world design
spaces that support their highest potential.
With a master's in professional communication and two decades of
experience, Amanda is known for making the ancient art of Feng
Shui practical, intuitive, and undeniably magnetic.
She's the offer of Simply Shui for everyday 365 Ways to Feng
Shui Your life, and host of the top ranked podcast, House
Therapy. Amanda lives in Dallas with her
husband, twin daughters, and the rescue dog Ruby.
I know you're going to enjoy the conversation today, so let's get
into it. Hi Amanda, welcome to Design
Curious Podcast. It's great to have you today.
Hey, thanks for having me. I'm excited about our
conversation. Yeah.
We were just talking offline. Your specialty, of course, is
Feng shui. And I don't think I've had any
guests really get into all the principles and everything on the
podcast yet. So I know this is going to be a
popular episode, but before we even get into all of those
details, I would love to hear your path into design and to
energy work with the home. Yeah, so everyone loves this
story because I actually came into.
It as a huge skeptic. So my background is in political
science and communication. And so I had just finished a
master's program, and right about that time, my husband and
I moved to a new state, new to US town, new to US home.
And, you know, a lot of things started to go wrong.
I'd had these plans of going on to get my PhD, but we moved to
this new place. We didn't have our.
People necessarily we had three-year old.
Twins. He was traveling a ton and
things just felt like they were unraveling pretty quickly.
And for several months I just sort of assumed big life change.
This is just the adjustment. But it wasn't.
There were no like Silver Linings.
And so there was this one day. Where I had had it.
And I grabbed a book and I thought.
Whatever, I see this. Is going to be the answer kind
of like. Oracle cards before there were
Oracle cards everywhere. And it said something about Feng
shui and I thought. It was so.
Nonsensical. I just thought like change my
house changed my life. I just changed homes not
realizing that that. Actually could be the very
problem. This was early 2.
Thousands when blogs were just taking off the original
influencers. And so I thought, this has made
me angry enough that I think it'd be really fun to.
Write about like to try. And write about and just.
Tell people how? It's not working and.
So I bought a book. And read through it, highlighted
some things and gave it my best objective approach and.
The best way? I can explain Feng shui in terms
of when you start working with it for anyone is you'll often
read and like different magazines, big life changes
happen like if you do. This that will.
Happen. It's very transactional.
But what? Actually happened for me was I
noticed that our. House was starting to.
Feel like our home and I was curious to keep doing things
and. After I would say several.
Weeks of making some changes, not big changes, just doing
things consistently and trying new things out in our space.
There were some shifts in our life.
My husband got a new. Job offered.
To him, out of the blue and the salary was more than double and
he didn't have to. Travel all of the.
Sudden all the. Preschools that were.
Full the one we really wanted to get our girls and had two
openings. There were a couple other.
Things that I remember sort of holding out on, thinking, well,
that was all coincidental, but there was this moment.
Where I realized OK. I can keep being.
Skeptical or I can get really curious about what's.
Happening here and I became the student and started just
devouring everything and that's truly what's led me here 20
years later. OK.
So self-taught or did you take
any specific courses? I said.
Very academic, very cerebral, I. Bought.
As many books as I could find. Amazon was maybe out, but it
wasn't like the Prime situation we have today.
And so I would go to Barnes and Noble or use bookstores and find
books and. I thought I had a pretty good.
Grasp on what I understood. There was plenty that I didn't
understand but for most people I'm like, I feel like I could
explain this and luckily. I'd hired a couple.
Consultants to come into our home.
And one became a mentor of mine. And so I remember saying to her
like, I think I'm just going to start doing this.
And she sort of schooled me in a couple minutes about how much I
actually didn't know and, you know, really encouraged me to go
and be certified. So I took a certification
program and then came out of that.
And once you Start learning, you realize, Oh my gosh, there's so
much I don't know. And so I've done several
certifications since then. A lot of Feng shui is very
similar. There are a few distinctions
among the different schools, but I'm always learning.
There's always so much to. Pick up and so I would say.
Yeah, I've been formally trained and I'm still in the process of
learning. And though you also
simultaneously had to learn to start a business as well, like.
Yeah. I did.
So when I started out, I didn't think it would be.
I was like, I'm just writing about it on this blog and people
are curious. They can reach out and ask
questions. And then people wanted me to
come into their homes. And so again, it kind of felt.
Very hobby ish. Then there was a moment where.
Bigger. Spaces or names or brands were
reaching out one of the. First was AOL so.
Again, I'm going to date myself, they said.
We want you to write an article about Feng Shui.
Can you tell us what you think the quote UN quote rules are?
And of course, there aren't rules in Feng shui.
So I was like, people are curious about this also.
When I did my first certification, decided to enroll
in a business coaching program where I was around other.
People who were. Trying to pitch and promote
themselves and I just. Thought I'll just soak up.
Everything. And so again, that's something
that I continue doing today because, you know, business is
always changing. You know there's.
Some things that you need to have in place, but you're always
strategizing and trying to. Figure out what.
People are wanting what they're needing, certainly over the
last. 6. Years I've had to be very
nimble, you know, in terms of what people are dealing with and
what people are wanting from their spaces.
I know that design and Feng shui definitely blend together really
well. To what extent do you work on
your projects? Do you ever get into the
remodels of the rooms or is it mainly just the furnishings or,
and I know a lot of people think it's just about furniture
placement and it's so much more than that, but yeah, what what
is your typical project? Look like?
I guess so. I don't do necessarily design
specific. Work.
Luckily I have House therapy which is a certification program
and I have designers that come. Through I have Realtors.
That come through. I have designers that come
through, so I'm very fortunate in that I can refer people who
are looking for that specific hands on, but.
What I. Do do and you just touched on
it. People think move my couch
changed my life. There is a little bit of truth.
To that, but when people are going through, let's say they're
looking for a house or they are renovating, I'm looking at how
they are wanting to lay out the. Space because the way we lay out
space, actually. Has an impact and influence on
what we're experiencing and if I can get involved in that.
Process. Then a lot of the things.
That you sort of do. After you're in a space, you
know when someone grabs the book and reads the book and says I'm
going to do this and this and this.
That's a little. Bit I don't want to say it's
superficial, but you're definitely in a curative.
Space like, OK, I've got to fix this.
I've got to add this to add. This energy, whereas if you can
get it in at the ground level and you can eliminate a lot of
those things that you'll otherwise be fixing later, if
that. Makes sense, yeah.
So would you work? Collaboratively, maybe with
another designer builder who is actually doing all the finishes
and everything like that and you're coming alongside seeing
this color or this placement could be better if you.
Yeah. Yeah, a lot of times we do that.
I mean it'll. Be like, OK, let's look.
At how the bedrooms laid out. Where's the bed going to be?
You know something that you will.
Hear a lot. Of functional practitioners talk
about is. This idea of.
Being in command right, having a solid wall behind your back and
being. Able to see whoever.
'S coming into the room. Let's say someone is renovating
a space and they've set the room up.
Where maybe their? Back is to a wall, but on that
same wall or. Is a door 2 doors?
That come into room. That to me is a red flag.
And I'm like, while we're in this.
Creative Space. And we changed that.
Because those are the. Things that over time do have an
impact and that's one of the benefits of having done this for
so long as. I can see a lot of the.
Suggestions and guidance and principles that Feng Shui
offers. That do really hold up.
And some of them that aren't don't have as much bite and
command is one of. Those and so there are.
A few things that I'll, you know, sort of exert my opinion
on over other things. But yeah, I will.
Work with builders, architects, designers.
I've worked with them all and again, that's what's so great
about having a program now is. I can teach people these.
Principles and then they can go out and work with those industry
leaders and help them. Create spaces that actually feel
good. They they can look good, but
they also feel really good. OK, that's great.
And it's great that you have a course that people can learn
about these principles. So if someone listening who's
just starting out in design, maybe they're curious about Feng
shui, they want to incorporate some of it into their process or
client work, but they want it to feel authentic at the same time
without like, you know, as they're dabbling into like
understanding the principles and everything.
What would you recommend for them?
Well, so that's a really great question because I think.
A lot of people think, oh, so if I get into Feng shui, I need to
hang bamboo flutes? I need to have Mandarin ducks
somewhere. Like there's this idea that it
is. Again, furniture.
Based or it's. A little bit more tchotchky,
right? And there are a lot of symbols
that have meaning, but if they don't resonate with you, then
that's not something that you know you would incorporate into
a space. And I certainly don't work with
with that because that's not my clientele.
What I would say when people are starting out, because I think a
lot of times people want to make changes in the.
Space, but it's like, well, where?
Should I put the most effort? Where should I put my?
Resources. Where should I focus?
The most attention and so I think Feng Shui is fantastic.
As a filter for that. Thing that you do at the front
door, the front space. In Feng shui, we call this the
mouth of chi, where everything that you're calling into your
life enters. And so I want people to think
if, if they've done intentions or affirmation journaling or
anything like that, your front door matters.
Because that is sort of a. First impression to the world
and I love. Of that realtor speak really
backs that up right? Like how people feel about a
space is. Often that opinions often formed
as they're approaching the space.
So. I often say, you know, if you
have not taken care of your front yard or you haven't done
anything to that front space, the.
Door, the porch, whatever. That's a really great starting.
Point the kitchen, which we know.
Like that is a really. Safe, great investment, the
kitchen and Feng shui represents health and wealth, and so it
really speaks. To your overall well.
Being so. That is a great upgrade or place
to poor resource. And then the bedroom, the
bedroom is so much tied to relationship, but people don't
realize it's also the relationship we have with
ourselves. And something I will often say,
and you know, sometimes on social media gets
misinterpreted. But I can tell.
What you think you're worth? When I look at your bedroom,
people think that's tied to expense.
Or label. Or thread count, but I know.
Do you put yourself at the top of your To Do List or are you
the last? Thought your bedroom is what
sets you up think about it at book ends your days and.
So it's how you start. Your day, it's how you end your
day. And it really says, do I
prioritize myself? Because if you.
Replenish and recharge yourself. You're going to be able to go
out and take care of what you need to and hopefully meet the
expectations that you know you want to meet.
When you don't do that, then again, it's not transactional.
It's just this compounding effect and it's like, oh, I've
got to put that laundry away or. I've got to get the kids Fort
picked up or I've. Got to deal.
With these. Boxes, right?
And so that becomes part. Of that.
Conversation that's happening all the time, whether you're
aware of it or not, so I would say.
Those are really great spots to. Start.
I mean, everywhere in your house is going to have a win, but if
you had to. Choose.
Those are really. Fantastic places.
Oh, yeah. And that's a really good point
about the bedroom. I hadn't put that together as
far as like how you value yourself as a place.
But often times, you know, we get called as designers into
people's homes and we see all the intimate places.
And often if I walk into the primary bedroom and it's just
like no headboard and maybe like just that piled stuff piled on
the night stands, no lamps and just like an afterthought, I
immediately become so sad for that person because it's just
like, oh, you need, you deserve so much better than that.
I'm going to start to end your day here, so.
Yeah, and I think there's a real urge to spend our money on what
people are going to. See right.
So that is a big. Signal that we are people
pleasing and not taking care of ourselves and you hit on two
things that I want to touch on because the headboard.
Is such a big deal. It is one of the best from a
functional perspective, one of the best investments you can
make. Because it speaks to having
support. And so it is to me.
Like. High on the list.
If you have to prioritize, it just deserves to be above the
fold, right? Then that night stand, you know,
I often joke with students and my audience that those are like
little mini altars of hope, right?
Like we have all the creams and potions and journals and, you
know, everything of who we want to become.
And it gets cluttered and even though it might be pretty stuff
or it smells. Good or whatever.
We don't use it. And so I just want you to think
for a second what that's saying to you.
Like I, I don't have time. I'm going to get to that
eventually your. House is always.
Having a conversation with you and so when you are mindful and
you edit it and you are like this matters and this other
stuff needs to find a different home.
It changes how you. Feel so a really good rule.
Of thumb is the closer something is to you.
The. Bigger its influence, and so in
your bedroom, as you can imagine.
It's your bed. It's your mattress, it's your
night stand, it's everything that's immediately around you
has. A really high level.
Of influence. Wow, that's really a great way
to iterate that. It's something that I probably
felt intuitively but didn't understand the whole principles.
Are there? Other things that are some
surprising transformation that you've seen through your work
throughout the different areas of the homes and in your
projects. Yeah, I have a.
Course, the simple Shui course, which is these 12 modules that
kind of take you through the fundamentals because I think
most people when they come into Feng shui, they're like, where
do I start? There's so much stuff, I'm so
overwhelmed. And so they do like one or two
things and they're like, that was a fun project.
This course. Was many, many years ago
something I taught live and I had this woman who came in and
she's like, I'm just really tired and exhausted all the time
and so I'm taking this course to figure out why I'm tired, why I
am tired and exhausted. We kind of moved through each
module and she's making small changes and she comes one week
and she's. Like I've realized.
That it's my job that's training me.
And I'm like, OK, discernment, cool.
And so we focus on the office and some things that she can
change up there and put her desk in command.
Another way of thinking of command is facing your life.
It's having visibility to what's in front of you.
So she made some of those changes and put some feelers out
there and had. Quite a few.
Offers come in, and so she was fortunate enough to.
Be able to pick what? She wanted to do and she chose a
job and it turned. Out to it gave her.
I think her salary bump was like 45 Ki mean it was pretty
impressive and she. Was of course, excited about
that. But here's the thing that I
love. This was surprising and I love
telling the story for this reason.
Her. First day of her job.
Her boss came in and he said OK, listen, it's really important to
me. That the people who work here
have a really clear. Discernment between their
personal lives and their professional lives because if.
You're all work. That's no life at all.
And she sent me the longest e-mail and she's like, Oh my
goodness. Like I, I came into.
Your course tired figured. Out was my job and now I have
the job that actually supports the time and life that I want.
Like I wanted a little bit more space.
I didn't want to feel like I was working around the clock.
And so I think those are the kind of experiences.
That people have the. The changes that are so nuanced
and specific to them, and it really just comes with being
intentional in your space. So a great way.
For people to think of. This is.
Environmental metaphor. Think of your space is telling a
story and don't overcomplicate it.
Just look at your things and assign one or two words to them
and start to figure out how many things do you.
Love that you're. Hearing and how many things are
you like, Oh my goodness, because you have jurisdiction
over that. You can say this is what I would
like to see more of and give that emphasis or give that
really good geography in your your.
House. Whereas the things that you
don't love, you can address or move out, right?
And so it's starting to see like.
You get to tell the. Story with the things all around
you, and you can do that in client spaces too, once people
understand that this is a. Way to Co collaborate with.
Those goals and intentions, it becomes a lot of fun.
Yeah. I think a lot of the questions
maybe that you would ask should just be asked anyway of a client
of like how they use the space, the things that they love, what
what really defines them and what's the frustration.
And all those questions probably just align as well with the
practice of Feng shui. Yeah, I think too.
So many people feel overwhelmed. I've got to make decisions.
I don't have all. The details or whatever you just
brought up a really great. Question which?
Is like, what's the purpose of the space?
I joke. And I'm also serious.
Like every room should have a mission statement, including the
closet. Like everything, because when
you. Define what the?
Space is purposes. It doesn't become a dumping
ground. You have said this.
Is what belongs here. Same with that office that
becomes the craft room that becomes.
The we'll put all these. Things that we don't know what
to do with or we still need to put in the attic here, right?
You start to infringe upon yourself by not having really
clear boundaries. But if you have these boundaries
in your home. Guess what you're better at?
Out in the world, holding you your own boundaries.
So it, you know, it just is a really great way to match the
energy you want to be out in the world with.
Like a practice ground for going out in the world.
That's great. If someone would like to kind of
know, maybe some quick reference things that like if they're
meeting with a client next week and they're like, I can't take
the course yet, but what are some some focus areas that I
should really look at as far as like balancing the energy or
just a design block that maybe a client might commonly have?
Yeah. So when I go into a client space
I'm like what are your? Objectives there are.
So many things that. We could do So what?
Matters to you, like where are you looking for improvement?
Are things going really well? Is there something you're
wanting to enhance or optimize like I get?
Really clear about. That because then I know where
we want to start in terms of prioritizing the work.
So if you're. Going into a client's house.
I would start. With again, the front door.
Just making sure I might say the front door.
Let's also extend that to the entry.
Like how does it feel? When you walk in, even if you
don't use. That space which is the.
Question, I get all the time what we come in through a back
door, Great, now you have two assignments, but you want the
front door to feel welcoming and then you want to feel welcomed
into your own space. And the other thing that I think
is so important in these spaces is some sort of stamp of
self-expression like you belong here.
I think we are so untethered right now.
Just as a whole, a lot of people are looking for community and
when I go into homes, a lot of homes.
Look like you could. Move the family out and someone
else could move in because everything has been done
according to a catalog. Or you know, I just purchased
everything that this person listed on their mood board, but
it doesn't have that personality.
Self-expression is not only a way to anchor yourself and
create that sense of belonging. But it also lets other people
feel. More at home in your space, even
if it's not. Their style or aesthetic they.
Just want to know. What you're about so.
I think in. Both of those spaces.
Having some sort of self-expression.
I really. Think light is so important in
spaces. I think it's worth the
investment. It's.
Worth the effort. Light is what we call a.
Qi enhancer in Feng shui. It lifts the energy, it can
guide the energy. It helps keep energy moving
around. What I get curious.
About when I go into spaces and again in my functional.
Bag We have a lot of tools that we work with, but where are the
dark? Spots in your house, because
that will tell me where you might not be seeing things.
And what I mean by that is we have a map.
There's an energetic map that we can lay over a home.
And where there are dark spaces, I know that someone might not be
seeing everything in that. Area of their life.
So I tend to. Do like a little light audit.
When I go into spaces, even something as simple as clearing
up the clutter, getting things up off the floor.
A really simple way to think of this, and almost all homes are
guilty of this. This isn't, you know you don't.
Have to be a hoarder. I'm too busy.
But when there's a lot of things that sit on the floor that holds
energy down. I mean, think about it.
You look down to see those things there and it can.
Be all the shoes by the. Door.
It can be all the sports equipment, it can be the boxes
that were on the porch that you need to deal with.
It's just the everyday stuff, but.
When it starts to pile up and you're stepping over it.
Those are little. Deposits of frustration and then
all of a sudden you're late or you're in traffic or whatever
and and that just carries into the day.
So I like to create. Or encourage people to have some
sort of a ritual or routine you get.
To decide what it is. Around putting things away,
right? Belongings belong somewhere, and
so they all need to have a home. And also, for all of the moms
out there who do everything, it's also a reminder.
That you delegate, Yeah. Don't do this for everyone and
you will have to repeat it many times.
That's part of the process. Functionally not a magic wand,
but. It's teaching people to care
about. The space and.
To have respect for the. Things.
That they. Have or they own.
So that's another thing, and it lifts the energy.
I'm sure most everyone who's listening would.
Be able to relate to if you're having people.
Over in your house, it's a little in disarray, one of the
first things. You do is you go.
Clear off a bunch of counter space and that right like it.
Clean things up like that coffee table, whatever the.
Space suddenly feels more open and clean, right?
It's the same thing with your floors.
That's how energy is moving through your life.
So I would say look at that I've.
Talked about the bedroom. I've talked about the kitchen.
Another thing, Mirrors as a design tool.
They can amplify lights. They can make a room look.
Bigger. There's a lot of.
Different ways that you can work with them for us and Feng shui.
They double whatever they see. And so we can be very
intentional with that so. I would do a quick.
Mirror. Audit.
And see what mine are seeing, right?
So if mine's in the bathroom and it's just chaos, there's a
little nudge to clean up, right? If there's a.
Console with a mirror over it, or say mirror over the fireplace
and there's nothing in front of it.
Maybe you add some flowers or a plant.
You know those are other forms of Qi enhancers, things that are
just. Perpetuating a better.
Feeling in your. Space you could be deliberate
with. Making it reflect a chandelier
or some light, so looking at that can also be really
impactful. OK, I love that.
Is there anything that we need to like any faux pods or things
to stay away from? Like never do this or never, you
know, like, I don't know if there's anything like that.
Yeah, I think that. That right there I think.
That what happens is that. People go to Google school.
And they find something. That they are.
Quote UN quote guilty of in their home and this is what
scares a lot of people from Feng shui because then they feel.
Badly about their house or they feel like their house is cursed.
Or you know, I get these emails all the time.
So I I I know that this is. Real out there.
Everything is contextual, and there's really not an always or
never. There's really not.
A set rule. You have to think, and this
definitely applies to designers as well, right?
Like every home. Every.
Person and we'll say every. Project is so.
Different and nuanced that there's no real like
one-size-fits-all template and it's the same thing in Feng shui
So what I encourage people to do when they.
Go researching. Feng Shui on their own.
Is if you read. Something that scares you or
something that makes you. Feel badly about your house.
Challenge yourself to find things.
That are good like you owe it to.
Yourself to not just focus on the bad.
But to. Counter that with all the things
that are great because I've never, and this is truly never
been in a home where I can't find a couple really fantastic.
Features. Or things that people have done
instinctually. That are.
Really in alignment with Feng. Shui, so you just.
Don't know enough to be. Scared.
So I yeah, I would. Say don't worry about the never.
Or always if you come. Around those rules, OK.
Perfect quotation. Yeah, I'm sure that would have
been something people would like to ask because they're afraid of
making a mistake when it comes to energy flow or whatever.
Yeah, they've heard something, you know.
So something to remember there. Because that is true, people.
Think it's a magic wand and they want it to be a magic wand so
long as things are going to go well.
Yeah, exactly. So what I remind people is most
of the time if you hear someone doing something and there's been
some big win, there were things that were happening in the
months or weeks leading up to that that you're just not
hearing about, right? That kind of set that in motion.
And it's not necessarily that it was a coincidence.
It's just again, it's. Very collaborative, so.
Keep in mind Feng Shui is not transactional and so when you
start making changes you're probably not going to notice big
wins overnight. Likewise.
You're not going to lose everything overnight.
You might start getting a few red flags, and if that's the
case, just reverse engineer. Whatever you did, right?
If you're not working with someone and you just know enough
about functionality to be dangerous, then just reverse
engineer. Because that's you just.
Stepping out of it. Yeah, that's great.
Do you see that there's like a renaissance of Feng shui
practice in our culture among designers right now happening?
Or because I know it's a an older practice, but it seems
like a lot of people are starting to talk about it more.
Well, so yeah, it's. Been around for?
Thousands of years. And.
It has just because of. Migrations or wars or whatever
it's, it's definitely evolved to meet people where they're at.
And so you have, like I said before, many, many iterations in
schools or approaches. And so I think that when people
don't. Have budgets people get curious
about? What they can do?
With what they have. And I think Feng Shui has this
moment. Where it feels.
Like it can contribute to that conversation, but it really can
show up in any like if someone's building a house, if someone's
looking to relocate, if someone is renovating, if someone is
making some big purchases in all of those scenarios.
Having a little bit of. Feng Shui wisdom can make all of
the difference in that investment.
I will say over COVID that first year, I.
Did a ton, a ton of podcasts, I think over 60 podcasts and that
was. Because people were.
Stuck at home, they were all sharing space.
People were about to lose. Their minds and they were like,
what can I do? And I bring that up because I
think when we're out and about. Especially if we tend to be
really busy, we. Don't think about the impact our
space is having on us. And COVID was a moment where
everyone's like, Oh my gosh, I have to change this.
This isn't working or I I'm feeling suffocated or I'm not
feeling inspired or it feels so monotonous.
And that's when I think people had this real HD moment of oh,
Myspace matters and probably a little bit more than I thought.
And so I think just coming back to that and.
Why I teach it? Is I want people to realize you
don't have to wait until you're in quarantine.
To do something with your. Space.
This is a. Wisdom that I think everyone.
Owes themselves. A little bit of fluency and
because again, you can. Always work with your space.
To change how you feel. You can work with your space to
help. Hold you accountable to what you
want to create or experience in your life.
You can collaborate with your home.
I I encourage people to think of their home as like a family
member. Yeah, yeah.
Collaborating with, letting it speak to you in different areas
and working with it to help it to become better too.
Yeah. Yeah.
I mean, when you do things for your home, it's an act of self
hospitality ultimately because you're taking.
Care of yourself, but it like that just.
Ripples out in the years. Ahead.
Yeah, I. Love that self hospitality.
Yeah. Well, Amanda, you have so much
information and knowledge and wisdom to share, and I know you
have your own podcast House Therapy, yes.
Yes, really bite sized episode so.
If you want something for 15 minutes, I'm your girl.
Awesome. Well, I'll check that out.
Yeah, I think that would be great to have alongside of my
week. Do you do a weekly or?
Yeah, I do. Weekly.
I mean, until otherwise notified.
Yeah, doing it for about 3 years, you know, and I'm.
Like how do I mean you do a podcast so you want to see it's
like, wow. All of a sudden I'm like 160
episodes in. Yeah, okay.
And you have a book as well. Yes, simple Shui for every day.
So it's. 365 different Fung shui tips.
It's not calendar specific. It.
Really is when I wrote. That book.
What I wanted was kind of what I was looking for.
When I first came into Feng shui, I was not planning on
being certified. I certainly wasn't planning on
ever consulting people, but I was just like, I just want to
keep finding more things that I can do.
Because I was really curious about.
How the energy in my life experiences were matching up as
I made changes. And so that's.
What this book is it's. 365. Plus tips that are super.
Simple. They don't feel intimidating.
You don't need all these special ingredients or anything.
They're just really crazy things you can do.
That help? You get to know your home and
this energy that you're already steeping in.
OK, so those are two ways and then you have your course.
Yeah, so I have a. Course and then I have a
certification the. Course is a prerequisite.
To the certification, but the. Course.
Was designed honestly again, it came out right before COVID and
it was. Like if you.
Don't want to bring a consultant into your home?
I'm going to give you the tools. I'm going to give you my process
that I, you know, at that point, I think I'd been practicing for
15 years. That I've sort of developed.
For reading a. Space, how to prioritize and.
So it kind of walks. You through all of that?
So that you can feel confident in your space making changes
without again the confusion because.
All you got to do is go. Pick up three different books
and yeah. You're confused.
Like wait, what? Why aren't they contradicting
themselves? Yeah, OK.
That's awesome. So people can take the course,
learn a little more, and then if they want to be certified, you
offer that as well. Yes, yes.
So there's a lot. There, Yeah.
And I would say definitely, if you're curious, hop over to
Instagram. I share over there a lot of.
Tips and insights in that. And so it's a great rabbit hole
if a rabbit hole is your speed. OK, yeah, we'll put your links
in the show notes. So your Instagram is Amanda
could be Peters? Yes.
Right. And then your website is simply
shoy.com. Yeah, simpleshoy.com and yeah,
yeah. And then the.
Podcast is house therapy. Great.
OK, we'll put a link for all the people who might be driving and
listening. They can't go and look right
now. Well, Amanda, thank you so much.
Is there anything else you'd like to share for our listeners?
Who? Probably.
Know I I really appreciate. Being here and I'm just excited
to have the conversation about functioning with anyone who
works with homes because I know that designers, you know,
there's that. Overlap of.
We just really appreciate how. Powerful our environments can
be. And so I just love having this
conversation, so thanks. Yeah, thanks.
I know I learned some things today, so thank you for that.
All right. Well, we'll probably stay in
touch and we'll talk soon. All right.
Thanks. So I really enjoyed that
conversation. It kind of stuck with me for a
while after interviewing her, just thinking about a different
things that can be communicated in the space and that what it
might be saying and what it might need to shift into just a
better way of living. OK, so all of her contact
information is in the show notes.
If you'd like to reach out to Amanda and don't forget, we have
other great things for you. Some free downloads and some
podcast playlists over on Spotify.
If you need to cut to the chase and just hear the episodes that
mean the most to you, we have different playlist for you over
there on Spotify. OK, that's all I have for you
this week. Next week we'll have another
great episode and until then, stay creative.
Thanks for listening if you love this episode.
Please leave a rating and a review.
This helps me reach other curious creatives like you if
you have a topic request. Or would like to contact me?
Simply head. Over to my website
arworddesign.com or e-mail me at.
Podcast. At ourwardesign.com.