I'd be concerned about the front entrance - I dont see it clearly defined and it's a very important zone. Make sure there is water (symbolically with a mirror) or literally with a fountain near your entry zone. Make ultra sure it's clear of clutter, and for good measure hang pretty sounding chimes just at that entry. I just see a large tree in a planter there so that may be part of the problem. Key colors for the career area are black or white so implement them here immediately. Have you done any modifications in the bath? (Added red, gold or green symbols anywhere? Or purple? (I'd got my chiropractor to paint an exit door purple in that zone and it helped massively) Do you have any dried flowers or unhealthy plants anywhere (they symbolize death)? Lots of angles and obstacles in the space in the form of furniture or walls is a problem also. The space looks quite small, do you keep it dark also with heavy window coverings? Light and openness, zero clutter and cleanliness are important. Further recommendations are difficult without seeing photos of the space as a floorplan only does so much. On further thought I would do either a salt cleanse or even smudge with sage if need be to clear out the bad energy of a previous owner. If things don't improve soon I would even consider relocating if this doesn't turn around. I've had to throw in the towel in a couple of places as there was just no getting around the problems or bad neighborhood.

Couches are sedentary. Try moving it out of the career area, and replace it with something more focused on energy. Maybe a music station(creativity), books(intelligence), or a couple of rocking chairs (calm and thoughtful, helps you to have deeper, wiser thinking). This might help the energy in that area of the apartment.

You could also replace the wall with glass doors (If privacy is not really an issue)

Thanks, here are some photos.

@ nuthingontv

Thanks for your detailed reply.

To answer some of your comments:

- I did a salt cleanse when I first moved in.

- I'm fairly clutter free as I went through everything I own using the Kondo Mari method.

- It's not a big plant on my balcony but a patio table with a few plants on it.

- Adjustments made to the bathroom were: remove all sea shells, add stones, bring some green, keep drains closed, add chime and plants.

- Moving is not really an option as I own the place and beside, how to get a rental when you don't have a job?!

@Roziechic

Maybe I could swap the couch and the bookcase? It might get in the way tho.

If a couch isn't really necessary, you could try a love seat. They are smaller, leaving more room, and suggest comfort with reserve. Definitely a more positive energy for the space. If you switched it with the bookcase, you risk upsetting the energy of knowledge. I have only been using Feng Shui for about a year in design. I would certainly lean more on nuthinontv knowledge then my own. I'm happy to help!

Oh. My. God! Seriously? In 2017?

I guess Tatts doesn't read much

http://inhabitat.com/9-simple-tips-to-feng-shui-your-home/

https://cias.rit.edu/gallery/design/graduate-visual-communication-design/605

https://www.feelingsuccess.com/10-insanely-famous-people-who-practice-feng-shui/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/13/donald-trump-feng-shui-master-pun-yin

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-feng-shui-revolution-769756.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/feng-shui-a-mystic-force-in-vancouver-real-estate/article4529893/?arc404=true

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dorit-sasson/use-feng-shui-to-improve-_b_9121336.html

http://realtormag.realtor.org/sales-and-marketing/handouts-for-customers/for-sellers/use-feng-shui-concepts-in-staging

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elmwood-park/lifestyles/ct-oak-dechter-feng-shui-tl-0813-20150810-story.html

@ Rozie.

A love couch would be great, but not an option as I need the sofa bed!

I'm getting very curious about FS, I like how much of it is quite common sense ( like no hanging sad images in your space etc)

But it's quite hard to know how to do it properly when there are so much informations out there and sometimes down right contradictory!

Do you have a favourite website you go to to learn? I find thespruce.com very good and very nicely presented.

@absg99

I have thought of doing that before, so I went and did it!

Not sure it's working tho, it compartiments the space. And not great when I have friends around now that I think of it.

Your furniture arrangement was fine before, and your home looks very serene with the soft colors. I don't know if it is FS, but I would add an oversized framed mirror to the wall above the table, where it will reflect light from your window and add some sparkle to the space.

@ calidesign

Thanks for the comment. I had a full length mirror on the wall next to the bathroom door. Is that were you meant? But I read that you shouldn't have one facing the front door that's why I removed it.

I put the large frame above the couch so the glass reflect lights back into the room and that does work well :)

Jen, I'm a book person. All of my research and learning has been through books. I'll check out the website you mentioned. Always looking to learn something new! Good luck with the space, I hope you find a good solution for it!

I am no feng shui expert, but I have read some books. According to some them, you have missing "corners" in your career section and the skills and knowledge section, specifically the front door area, which looks like a front stoop/porch. See how it doesn't make a perfect square - the bedroom come out further than the rest of the front of the apartment. You'll need to "finish" the square outside by placing some cures, specific to the section. I've read that cures don't have to be seen in order to work. You can place mirrors or sheets of colored paper underneath the furniture or behind the furniture (taped to the bottom so you can't see it). You might need to place something like that on the wall next to the stair case to the upstairs apartment to finish that square.

@ jenwen

Thanks for your input.

See that's were it's getting confusing.What I thought I had was projecting corners, one out of the bedroom and one out of the bathroom, because I aligned the bagua with the font door and wall.

I meant that the mirror could go above the dining table on the same wall with the bookcase, to the right of the bookcase and other art. It would also help define that space. It should be a large square though, not a vertical rectangle.

Perhaps you can hang art above the couch that symbolizes success or your career field.

I agree with paying attention to the front stoop to include it in the bagua map. A bench or a wind chime plus something on the corner to mark the corner as part of the whole.

I also am not a feng shui expert but have read a lot about it and implemented a lot of it. Most of it feels natural or common sense to me, such as de-clutter, keeping bathroom doors closed, natural light, that kind of thing. One thing I noticed you seem to have that is always a NO in the books, is the mirrored closet doors in the bedroom. I don't know what negative effect they are supposed to have, but I do know that I am always uncomfortable in rooms that have those.

I put the Chinese coins attached to the red ribbon on my front door and the 3 legged frog in the house (he has to face inward). Those are supposed to help with money and it might just be a coincidence (I don't really believe in coincidences) but since I did that years ago, I have never had money problems. You might want to try that.

@aunthelma

Again, it's hard to know what to do in regards to the placement of the bagua.

The stairs are common with the next door and above neighbours. The patio/ balcony is mine but there are no gates.

Is the balcony part of the floor plan?

I still haven't heard anything about what, if any "cures" have been applied in the bathroom area. The drains found there are literally that - drains on the finances, etc. And yes the career and money zones are crucial. But what about relationship and helpful people areas? If your interpersonal relationships are faltering these are also areas to address. There is no "one" cure - the whole package needs addressing. Did you also know that each room itself can have the Feng Shui zones applied within it. Even a desktop! Do yourself a favor and pick up one of my fav books on the topic: "Move your stuff, Change your life..." by Karen R Carter - a light hearted, non-serious approach to Feng Shui for the beginner. Best of luck!

@Belhan

Yes I heard about the mirrors, but it's ok as long as you don't face them?

Again too many contradictory advices on the subject :(

I have tried to put up a curtain in front of them but it wasn't practical.

I will have a look online for the cures you are mentioning.

@nuthingontv

I did tell you about the changes I made in the bathroom in my first reply ! I copy what I wrote before:

Adjustments made to the bathroom were: remove all sea shells, add stones, bring some green, keep drains closed, add chime and plants.

I will most definitely look for the book you mentioned, if it has humour, even better:)

The one thing I cannot find answer anywhere is about having a wall in the middle of an area, do you know much about that?

My relationships are great so I do not want to do too much in those areas!

The one thing I cannot find answer about anywhere is what it means when there is a wall in the middle of an area. Is it bad? Do you decorate both side of the wall according to the area it's in? Or only one?

Hi Jen, that's a good question and I would love to hear the answer by a pro outhere. I have a similar issue but in the relationship corner and there are issues there.

Thanks Flo, those are good advices.

Deep breath... !

I think your home is lovely - from your beginning pictures. Since this is a new home to you, a space clearing could greatly help. Also, consider creating a display with your goals / where you see yourself (new job). Make sure that your home supports your goals (artwork).

Jen, hi! just wondering how you are doing? Calmed down a bit? have you posted some "affirmations" and pictures of what you want your new position to be? Just make one small change at a time, and then observe what happens, even keep a little journal so you can recognize the impacts of certain changes, and reverse them if you don't like the results. Baby steps!

Hi Flo, thank you for checking back in!

Nothing much has happened, I have stopped placing 'cures' around my flat. And I have not put up images of the job I would like because I have been uncertain of the right position for them.

If the wall in the middle of my career area is the right place for them, on what side of it should I stick those images?!

Anyway, I'm sure something will come up soon. Otherwise, could I please get paid to answer people's dilemmas on Houzz ?!!

Incidentally, I've recently picked up this image of horses that I've found quite amusing and sweet at the same time. (And I love how it's old and tattered, wabi sabi all the way!)

I now know horses are a very powerful symbol in feng shui but they have to be depicted in the right position.

What do you think of those guys?

I am troubled that you are "debating" with yourself on what Position to place photos or pictures of your desired job. I think that is because you are uncertain and probably don't know what you really want. Also, fascinating the black and white horses. Like two poles pulling against each other and you are attracted to this! hummm Interesting. Hang a picture of someone whose job you would love anywhere in the career region "with intent". In other words, speak out loud what you want! Loud and clear and with conviction. I think enough time has passed. Try it and see what happens! keep us posted! thanks! Not trying to be mean, just nudging you a bit! :)

Hi all,

I haven't checked in here in a long while but thought I'll give you a bit of an update. About a month after my last post I applied for a job in my field and got it ( my first application). Four months down the line I got offered a very good promotion.

Was it because of all the fence sui cures? I guess we'll never know!

Good one!