August doesn't just mark the end of summer: it's the beginning of new routines, busy schedules, and spaces that must adapt to the new daily hustle and bustle. From returning to preschool to college, each stage of school presents different challenges, but we can all face them with order, intention... and harmony.

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In this edition of Life in Balance, I share strategies inspired by the philosophy of Feng Shui and the KonMari method to organize your home and renew your energy before the new school year that soon begins.

 

Prepare the Ground: Clean thoroughly, organize, and create space for study.

Before organizing schedules and school supplies, it's vital to do a deep cleanse and purify the energy of your space. It's well known that environments directly influence the mood and even the productivity of their inhabitants.

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Use water with white vinegar for a deep cleansing, play soft music, and repeat positive phrases to move energy and renew the environment. If you like, you can light incense, candles, or create incense sticks with various   aromatic plants  such as rosemary, lavender, mint, jasmine, basil, or even cinnamon, vanilla, and resins like palo santo. Move furniture around to stimulate the circulation of new energy. 

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Avoid furniture with sharp corners; prioritize soft edges that promote fluid energy.

 

Check your backpacks, notebooks, and other accessories, as well as school or college clothes: Are they useful? Do they brighten your day? Do they represent you in this new phase? Are they in good condition?

 

KonMary Tip: Review your space every week and clear out what no longer serves a purpose.

 

Create stations throughout your home 

Visualize your home as a functional map and create zones to help you with the daily flow of activities.

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Entrance

For kids: Add hooks at the bottom for backpacks, labeled baskets, and a calendar with their after-school activities.

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For college students: Create a small space to store bags, laptops, water bottles, ID cards, and other small items.

 

Feng Shui tip: Keep this area clear. It's where new energy enters your home.

 

Study Area

Kids: Make sure there's a good source of natural light on your desk, a small plant, and always remember to play soft music, as the vibration of sound helps clear the energy of the area.

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College students: Set up a functional table, organizers to keep things organized, and items that reinforce the student's identity and motivation. Avoid too many elements that can be distracting. 

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In both cases, maintain a block-based study approach: use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of study, 5 minutes of break) adapted to your own rhythm. 

Includes a whiteboard or corkboard with motivational quotes and daily or weekly goals to help you visualize your objectives clearly.

 

Feng Shui Tip: Use diffusers with scents like lavender, mint, or eucalyptus to stimulate focus. Incorporate binaural music to promote good memory and reduce distractions.

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Pause Corner 

You can create a space near your study area to rest and retreat when you need calm and feel exhausted or stressed. For example, you can do this by placing a small, fluffy rug with cushions on the floor, easy-to-read books, a small plant (Wood element) to stimulate growth, and a rose quartz to encourage calm.

 

Schedules with Intention

Rather than trying to strictly control your time, it's about learning to organize yourself better and live each moment mindfully. Here are some tips to help you with time management:

 

Create a visual calendar, use soft colors, and include icons to help you remember.

Include blocks of pause, play, and reflection time. Include other moments for stretching and walking. 

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Use stickers (for kids) or organizational apps (for older students). 

 

Feng Shui tip: Place the family calendar in the East area of the home (knowledge area according to Feng Shui).

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KonMari tip: If a routine is causing you constant stress… it's time to rethink it.

 

Organizing the return to school season gives us an excellent opportunity to bring order to our surroundings, energize our energy, and ensure our homes support our goal of making each day begin with intention, flow more calmly, and end with greater balance for everyone.