Utilizing the skills of a Feng Shui Real Estate Professional is essential not only for the skills that tell a person if the house is "good" feng shui but also for having the guidance of a sensitive person who understands real estate, values, design, and function. Recently, I helped a woman looking for a home in Laguna Beach, and last month in Irvine; before that, I helped people find the best homes from Coto De Caza, San Clement to Dana Point and Newport Beach. 

Growing up with a dad who was a real estate developer for over sixty years, having a real estate appraiser husband, and an extensive background in Feng Shui have influenced my ability to pick fabulous properties with investments written all over them. Also, with my social work and psychotherapy background, I understand people and have great intuition when matching people with properties. My main goal in helping people seek properties is for the land parcel and dwelling to work for them aesthetically, professionally, and personally and be excellent investment prospects. Being a licensed real estate professional and owning a professional consulting and design business makes finding your ideal home or corporate business space straightforward.

The first thing I do is understand what my client's values are in life, personally, professionally, and socially. I guide you to different destinations depending on whether you are an empty nester looking for quiet with no noisy kid areas or loud mowers and blowers going 24/7. If the client loves to entertain yet is looking at a home with a small living room and dining areas, I will help them understand the house does not lend to large groups or small intimate parties. If the family has growing kids that love athletics, yet the neighborhood is empty nesters with no grass options or other kids, then let's look at more options. 

I understand that a great and creative cook/entertainer is looking for a large and functional kitchen; a person with physical functionality challenges doesn't want multiple levels. Sensitive-to-energy types don't like many power lines, and beach people don't like properties 30 minutes away from the ocean. Knowing my clients is number one for me to help them get to the correct neighborhood, plot of land, and space.

Feng Shui aspects are essential to include when looking for property. Most notable is that the property is on a rectangular lot. Homes on triangular or oddly shaped lots leave a resident unsettled. Also, homes with another home hovering over them can create less prosperity and less privacy. Bedrooms, where the headboard faces west if you are born in the Western world or facing east if you were born in the Eastern world, may cause health challenges and disturbed sleep. Other negative features are homes with stairs directly down to the front door, houses with fire pits or fireplaces in the prosperity section of the backyard, or pools located anywhere other than the prosperity area. Water features are always great Feng Shui in the prosperity areas of a property.

More negative aspects and examples of bad Feng Shui are encroaching properties, loud street noise, damaged or destructed properties, choppy floor plans, homes with poor wall-to-window ratio, driveways where you have to back out, no parking near the house, and homes that are below street level. However, there are Feng Shui fixes for most negative aspects. 

Selling or locating properties for clients is all about client happiness. Honing in on people's personalities helps me identify neighborhood, city, and even state properties that will work for clients long term. It is more than a one-stop-shop opportunity. Real estate professionals' job is to find a property that fits the client rather than benefit themselves. It is not about the real estate professional paying off a second mortgage or sending a child to college or a new grandbaby. Also, some professionals who tell you there is only a little inventory may want to sell you specific homes where they benefit most. Make sure your real estate professional has your best interest at heart.
 www.i-deallifestyle.com  [email protected]
​Marla Stone, CEO of I-Deal-Lifestyle Inc.
& Author of 
The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff

Did you know you can even Feng Shui Your Bookshelf? Marla Stone, Professional Organizer, Décor and Feng Shui Specialist, and Lifestyle Coach says, "Yes you can even Feng Shui your Bookshelves". Use the Bagua above as your template. Place Bagua upright in front of your bookshelf so you know where your books can be placed in order to Feng Shui the bookshelf. So if you are facing your bookshelf, big or small, rectangular or square, simply divide the bookshelf into nine (9) equal parts.  ​

The far left hand corner on the top of the shelf is for all of your money books. This is where you would put books by Donald Trump or Warren Buffet, or books that state something positive about gaining wealth.  

The middle top of the shelf is where you place awards that you have received, and you can put a little décor into the shelf that signifies fame and recognition of you and your family. Any bright colored books on what you are famous for or what you would like to be recognized for can also go into this area.  

The top right hand side of the shelves is where all the Love and Romance books go. I do not recommend Romance Novels since they actually can create depression if you become too involved in them. But go ahead and put Romantic Poetry, anything shaped like a heart or red or purple décor.

The middle left of the bookshelf is an excellent place to put some family pictures since that is the family area, also where you can put "getting along with family" books, and books related to family ties.  

The middle, middle of the shelf is for Spiritual Books and Spiritual awareness type of books and books related to health and happiness.  

The far right middle is for Children's books, books that promote creativity, art books or any books that make you feel more creative. This is also a good place for artwork décor.  

The bottom Left is for books that increase your skills and knowledge. This is where you put books or information on a subject you would like to improve on.  

The middle of the bottom of your shelf is where you put books related to your career or building a career and finally but not least the bottom right is for books related to helping people or support books that uplift you and help you feel more supported. It could also be a great place to put books that are from your ancestors or pictures of angels or uplifting spiritual leaders.

Organizing your bookshelf according to Feng Shui Principles can help you not only get organized but feel organized and it also impacts the nine areas of your life which Feng Shui addresses.

Take some time to Feng Shui your Bookshelves and your life will Change!

Get a free Feng Shui 30 Minute Phone Consult from Marla Stone, Realtor®, Professional Organizer, Décor and Feng Shui Specialist and Lifestyle Coach 

Marla Stone Realtor
Nora Gallogly Group
Newport & Company
DRE 01823712 DRE02078273
CEO, I-Deal-Lifestyle Inc
& Author of 
The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff
1-949-709-7000
 www.i-deallifestyle.com  [email protected]

Marla Stone, MSW REALTOR® License ID: 01823712 Nora Gallogly Group Beverly & Co. DRE#02078273 i-deal-lifestyle.com | Direct (949) 709-7000 |Connect with Marla on Instagram & Facebook! Marla is the Author of The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff

For Marla Stone of I-Deal-Lifestyle Inc
“How to kick Anxiety and Depression to the curb”
Welcome to 2022! A world very few of us expected to be what it is, and even then we are shocked to the core! Soooo much going on that no one prepared any of us for.
From politics to religion to economy to shutdowns to masks etc have all caused the Human Dynamic to short circuit on the vibratory levels!
With that said, we are facing an explosive increase in Anxiety & Depression cases globally! Why? What is Anxiety? What is Depression? Are they the same?
First of all, let me briefly tell you about my personal experience with both... And even suicide!
Quick flashback to a gorgeous and sunny morning of June 2002, I’m driving in traffic on the 405 fwy to a client’s house for a meeting. (BTW the 405 is called the 405 because it takes 4 or 5 hours to get somewhere!)
Sipping on an organic cup of coffee with raw creamer and as Tony Bennet was doing his thing in the background, I started having sensations of blurriness, tight chest, heart started palpitating, and my left arm went numb!
To make the rest of the long story very short, from my client’s house I called 911 and they rushed me to the ER! NOT FUN!
After a few hours of every possible test on the planet and finding nothing wrong with me, the doctor came in and asked me to take a small blue pill! 20 minutes later I felt GREAT, which confirmed to the doctor that I was experiencing Anxiety & Panic! He sent me home with a Xanax prescription, yet I was never one for pills, so I decided to figure out how a 32 year old, healthy, successful, etc grown ass man can have Anxiety!

The next few months were very rough as I also developed a serious case of Depression and was committed to finding solutions to all these new emotions and states of weakness!
In some of my darkest suicidal moments, I made a promise to myself, that when I come out of this, I will one day create systems to help people either avoid these situations or get out of them much faster than I did!
Here’s what I learned that eventually birthed the brand Badassery Factory!
Through thousands upon thousands of hours of research, therapy, coaches, events, seminars, etc... I realized that I was the culprit!
My thoughts and words were creating exactly how I was feeling at any one given moment! This also begs the question as to where these thoughts and words come from? Are they from an external influence? No, thoughts and words are based on my beliefs, aka my blueprint!
I learned that 2 pieces of matter cannot occupy the same space at the same time! Meaning that I cannot hold a positive and a negative thought at the same time, nor a positive and negative emotion at any one given moment! This right here is the magic to the formula!
I realized that every moment was up to me and I had the power to create Anxiety and Depression, or Happiness and Joy!
Let’s quickly pause and understand the difference between Anxiety and Depression! Anxiety is nothing but worry and concern the conscious mind makes up about a possible negative future outcome! And the mind loves to run with that and create horrible scenarios about something that is not real! Depression is based on the past traumas, regrets, etc... The only way to have Depression is to bring the past to the present moment. Again, the mind loves to run with that and beat you up until the system vibration level drops low enough to where the body feels depressed!
Remember, nothing happens in the body that does not happen in the mind first! The amazing human body is sounding board letting us know if we are on or off track of our mission here in this life...

Ok so what did I actually do to kick Anxiety and Depression to the curb?
The real journey was to become self aware. To know who I really am at the core. My values, my fears, my limiting beliefs, my triggers, basically understanding the current blueprint!
The first step was to quiet the mind. Various meditations and breathing techniques are the perfect tools to achieve a peaceful state.
For example, here’s one... Close your eyes, focus on your chest/heart, inhale through your nose for a count of 8, hold for a count of 8 and exhale through the mouth for a count of 8. And repeat this 10 times! Do this right now and you’ll see how simple this all is.
The second step was to rewire my blueprint through repetition of self empowering beliefs. These beliefs will adapt to the new thoughts and words I use! The goal here is to love ME a LOT!
The third and very important step was to do inventory on everything that was currently entering my being. What toxic foods/drinks was I consuming? What chemicals was I introducing into the body via deodorant, toothpaste, creams, etc? Are the people I’m hanging out with positive and happy or miserable and complainers? What was I watching on TV and listening to in the car? And I can go on!
Everything you do will one day have an affect on how you feel!
I will leave you with 2 nuggets to assist you in the not so fun moments. One phrase I teach clients to use is “I Am Safe”! This little gem does wonders! The second one is to tell yourself “This too shall pass”!
Fast forward to present day, I feel amazing, I am emotionally balanced, love myself, am a great husband and father, and travel the world helping others achieve Happiness & Joy via coaching, trainings or from stage!
To your Badassery,
Andre Popa badasseryfactory.com

Organization skills are not learned, usually. You probably remember your mom yelling, "clean up your room," but there wasn't an actual educational plan on how to clean or organize your room. Cleaning and organizing are two separate skill sets altogether. 
 
 Organizing is all about...well...managing stuff. Cleaning involves rags, solutions, and those new floor cleaners that vacuum and steam all in one. According to the free Merriam Webster online, the word organize is synonymous with arranging, array, classify, codify, dispose of, draw up, layout, marshal, order, range, and systematize, and the word organizes antonyms are deranged, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple and upset. No wonder people feel deranged when they are all messed up.
 
 Organizing oneself would be the place to start if you want your space to look ordered and for all the trash to be disposed of. The key word in the previous sentence is "if." People usually only want to get organized when they want to get organized. Getting organized is not a mandatory law or one of the 10 commandments, so it only happens if you want it to, and most likely "if" the IRS is knocking on your door or your mother is coming to visit.
 
 No wonder people don't dream about their Ideal Lifestyle all that much...too busy being disarranged, disordered, rumpled, and upset. The state of disarray can become the norm and the standard "lifestyle" nightmare. 
 
 So, how does one get from disorganized chaos to organized order? Is it simple? Yes, managing yourself and space can be achieved.
 
 The first step is to want to get organized inside yourself. Self Organization starts with defining what your ideal lifestyle would look like. Write at least 30 concepts, ideas, or dreams about your "ideal" life. Watch a few light comedies or action hero cartoons to get motivated, or remember what you dreamed about when you were younger; you can do it. Think about what you value in life and actually write it down. Values can be career, money, a fancy car, a new partner, better relationships, spending time with family, solitude, or walks on the beach. When writing the list, whatever you do, don't lie to yourself. It is damaging when people say "it doesn't have to be" that great of a job, partner, car, or career. Saying "it doesn't have to be" is how it will be. So if you say, "she doesn't have to be that great looking," or "he doesn't have to be that smart," guess what? You manifested a not-so-hot or intelligent partner. How about saying, "I want it to be this way or that way," and putting that into the universe.
 
After you draw up and lay out what you want for yourself, your space organization is the next step. Since the outer is a reflection of the inner, your exterior space will want to catch up to the new inner you. Space organization has been written about in thousands of books and magazines and now is taught on national television. The best book that addresses how to do an organizing project and the internal process is The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff. 


Organizing a room or an entire home or business is about strategizing, executing, and physical labor, which you can do or hire someone else to do the project for you. You will only want that outer organization in your space when you feel organized and self-realized on the inside. So go ahead and get started on living your Ideal Lifestyle Now! Write your list!



​

Organizing one's self if a big task that takes time and effort. Managing one's space is a big chore that takes time and effort. I don't know which is more straightforward, less frustrating, or more valuable. I am pretty sure the inner and outer processes go hand in hand. I always say, "the outer is a reflection of the inner ." It is no mystery to me when I walk into a home or work environment or a friend's car piled up with papers, trash, and stuff that there is probably something going on mentally, physically, or emotionally inside that person. It does not take a "rocket scientist" to know something is happening, creating the"cyclone" effect. I know all too well from my own environmental hurricane effects that my own "Disorganized Self" (D.S.) can create chaos and get in the way of my "Organized Self" (O.S.). I will start accumulating piles of papers, collections of unnecessary items, wild and crazy clothing options start piling up on bedroom furniture, duplicates of the same item stock up, and a sense of hopelessness and wonderment when looking at it all. My distress comes from thinking about when I will have time to sort everything and organize it. My amazement comes from the wondering, "how did it happen"? As I recall, I decluttered the week before, so it should still be clean, correct?? I know something is going on with me for the emotional chaos to perpetuate weekly, losing my abilities and techniques for ongoing organization and order.  


 I realize that "Outer Disorganization" (O.D.) is due to something with the inner-self being off kilter. I know I create O.D. when my lifestyle choices grow old and mundane, and I get stuck, frustrated, and impatient in developing and implementing new goals and dreams. I create the O.D. to focus on the mess, papers, confusion, and my tropical storm path instead of on my life's major issues, like making real-life changes and resolving challenges. I realize that change and facing difficult life situations, going forward with new changes, and working through life with new approaches, can be like hitting a blizzard with a bikini on....cold and practically life-threatening.  


 Knowing who I am, what I want, and where I want to go can be daunting, with thoughts twirling around and around like the Merry-Go-Round of my past. Knowing how to slow it down, so there is calm and focus and sorting through ideas, wants, desires, and dreams can be confusing and scary. At the same time, the new path through tunnels and bridges I must go through to get to the new me and the unique lifestyle is an opportunity for growth and fulfillment. 


 The first stage of reckoning with one's D.S. is formulating an idea of your "ideal lifestyle ." Whatever you would love your life to look like, smell like, taste like, and be like. Whatever that means to you. This idea will begin to create your individual life picture. By cutting out all the images, words, and symbols from magazines that represent your inner self, creating a dream board and gluing them onto big cardboard can start you off. Making a list of your dreams and goals may help clarify your lifestyle image. Writing out a journal of ideas, thoughts, dreams, and wishes will help you formulate your "ideal lifestyle ."That is the first step to Self & Space Organization. 


 After 17 years of sitting in the "therapist chair," I was glad to get moving again. My background as a former Social Worker, counseling thousands of people, has led me to understand human nature. I love working closely with people and helping them learn to understand and love themselves better so they can be freed up in every way possible before starting a decluttering project. Being a former psychotherapist has its advantages, don't get me wrong. I worked with the most extraordinary people, families, groups, and colleagues imaginable. I worked with seniors, children, families, and individuals with debilitating challenges. I had a contract to see the Military Personnel from Camp Pendleton and create interventions for PTSD and severe mental health challenges. I developed a Medication/ Treatment Alliance Program and still write articles about serious mental health challenges. My focus now is on assisting people to become the best they can be and to get organized for good.
www.i-deal-lifestyle.com

​Decluttering may seem dreadful at first, but your work will pay off – literally. In just a couple of easy steps, your trash will become someone else’s treasure and make you richer along the way. Here's how to make money by decluttering - just in case you were wondering.

​GET ORGANIZED BEFORE YOU START
The point of decluttering is to remove things that don't add value to your life and to make room for new, valuable things. As we here at i-deal-lifestyle.com say, eliminating unused and unloved items will create a more comfortable, easier-to-be-home life. At first, going through so many things and deciding what to keep and what not to keep may be confusing and increase stress, yet the negative feelings will pass as you progress!

So, how to get started? It's best to go room by room collecting all like items together so you can see how much you own. For Instance, bring all your books together, all your shoes, all the clothing by style, and all the collectibles. At the same time, pick up all the paperwork scattered everywhere. Looking at like-items helps you make good decisions about what to keep. To make this as easy as possible, organize the decluttering process well and look for some tips in The Clutter Remedy: A Guide to Getting Organized for Those Who Love Their Stuff. As you go through things you don't want anymore, remember to sort them into categories, for example, kitchenware, toys, personal items, etc. It will make it easier to identify sellable stuff.


Deep clean along the way. You will feel lighter at the end as if you've moved into a new home!



Organizing is a crucial step in the decluttering process


HOW TO MAKE THE BIGGEST PROFIT
Don't underestimate the value of old things! Unlike some things that lose value as they age, other belongings have the opposite effect. Research what your vintage items are worth before putting them up for sale. Also, sell at the correct time. Halloween or Christmas decorations will sell for more money when it's season time rather than at the beginning of summer.

Don't sell certain things as you find them; wait to clear out everything before you start selling them. Some things are not worth the time and effort it takes to sell and ship individually. Also, some things are worth more as a collection than on their own, such as old video game collections. Old books and magazines are usually sold in bulk. If you have used children's clothes, and you wish to get rid of them, divide them into sizes and sell them together. Other things that are easier to sell in bulk are vinyl, CDs, cassettes, etc.

Packing and shipping things safely are of the utmost importance, so both you and the buyer are satisfied. If you have furniture you don't want anymore, don't worry. The process of selling and shipping furniture today is as easy as it is for smaller items. Furniture movers will easily handle those bulky items that you decide to release. Look for a skilled team to handle moves with valuable items so you can prevent them from being damaged along the way. Investing a little bit prevents your items from being ruined and losing money.

THE CLASSIC GARAGE SALE HELPS YOU MAKE MONEY BY DECLUTTERING
A garage or yard sale is excellent - it's the best option because you won't deal with shipping or traveling. You are making money just by sitting in your front yard! The disadvantage is, of course, the number of people who will see what you are selling. You can announce it a few days before via social media to attract more people. Another thing to consider is that you can sell items for more money online, where people can bid and raise the price. So, it will not be as profitable as online selling, yet it is less of a hassle.


THE ONLINE MARKET IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO MAKE MONEY
Whatever's left from the garage sale, you can put it online. Here you have more audience looking to buy. So, how can you make the most of it? For starters, be as descriptive as possible and, most importantly, be honest. Take the time to take outstanding photos of your items and write down the details. Today you have many options for where to sell; Social media has adapted to the desires of people looking to sell things fast and locally. Selling online has never been easier.


WHERE ELSE CAN YOU SELL?
Don't have time to sell items individually? Go to a consignment store to speed up your process, or hire a professional organizer with services to list your items and coordinate the sales. Getting support is one of the easiest ways to sell things in bulk. Or, even if you don't want to sell or give away your things, it will pay off. Donating to a Goodwill store can be used as a tax deduction.


If you own vintage items, find the best buyer or go to your local antique dealer, who will give you an estimate of how much your should valuables will fetch. Besides antique shops, reach out to collectors for those rare items such as comic books, trading cards, stamps, and old currency. As for jewelry, go to jewelry stores and sell it to the highest bidder.


Do you have a garage full of old sporting equipment? Well, you are not alone. So much so that there are second-hand shops specifically for them. So, sort out your gear, see what you will use, and take the rest there!


Caring for your planet can pay off as well! Take your old electronics, batteries, cardboard, ink cartridges, or whatever scrap metal you have laying around the house to your nearest e-waste and recycling centers. Clearing your home of old items is not essential, yet the responsible thing to do while decluttering.


Also, an excellent time to Declutter is when moving in with your significant other or roommates. The combination of your and their items will quickly result in a mess of multiplying objects.


THINK OF THE END RESULT
Your home will look fresh and unique again! You will see why most people feel less stressed when they clean their house or apartment. Your space will be easier to clean, more free space will be available, and you will feel an energized vibe.


Take it one step at a time, and soon it will be like a new house. You will feel optimistic and refreshed. It’s a winning opportunity to change your perspective and make some money.

Marla Stone, MSW REALTOR® License ID: 01823712 Nora Gallogly Group Beverly & Co. DRE#02078273 i-deal-lifestyle.com | Direct (949) 709-7000 |Connect with Marla on Instagram & Facebook! Marla is the Author of The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff