Aiming to keep life in balance

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I have so much to do and not enough time to do it all. I need simple, yet effective feng shui tips for my home and my life! Any ideas?

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do, you may find value in the strategy I personally use to get “energetically fed” by my environment.

Yin is “inward/private/inactive” energy and yang is “outward/public/active” energy, which together, create balance. As I believe balance is the key to everything in my life, when I am overwhelmed, I know I need to consciously create more yin moments. Even though my tendency is to be on-the-go 100 percent of the time (yang), I know I get more done when I balance myself with yin moments.

Decrease “doing” and increase “being.”

If you are reading this, you likely are thinking, “I’m busy.

I have things to get done. If I don’t do something, I will be behind.” I know it’s hard not to think this way, but when you incorporate yin-type energy/activity, then return to what you want to do, you actually will be more productive.

The Yang energy of today.

We live in a world of yang energy — moving, acting, doing, going, expressing, and achieving — and I see many people operate on overdrive, living in a state of overwhelm. If you have a big project coming up or just feel overwhelmed by all you have on your plate, incorporate some of these simple yin tips and see how they help:

• Eat cool things. Yang energy is fiery and hot, and yin energy is watery and cool. When in a state of overwhelm, counter the yang energy by having a cold soba salad, a chilled yogurt parfait, cool summer rolls or a smoothie.

• Do something unplanned. Yang energy is about control, and yin energy is about being free and spontaneous. When in overwhelm, make a conscious choice to take off and do something that normally you wouldn’t do. It doesn’t have to be for a long time, it just has to be different. Go to a new restaurant, order a different drink or walk or drive a new route.

• Clear the surface of your desk. Yang energy is full, and yin energy is less. When you feel that you have so much to do and are wondering how you will get it all done, clear your desk by putting away the mess and reducing visual clutter. You will be amazed at how refreshed you will feel.

• Lighten your schedule. Yang energy is busy, and yin energy is sparse. Look at your calendar for the next week and clear a block of time by rescheduling or letting go of appointments that you do not “have” to attend. Creating future freedom in your schedule will help you.

• Less is more. Some of what I have shared might seem too simple, but I can tell you from personal experience that by adding yin energy to a yang day you can make things go from “effort-full” to effortless in no time at all!

Alice Inoue is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer at Happiness U, a friendly educational establishment at Na Lama Kukui (formerly known as Gentry Pacific Design Center) on Nimitz Highway. At Happiness U you’ll find dozens of inspiring classes all geared toward personal growth, helping you live a more purposeful and ease-filled life. at YourHappinessU.com.