By Lydia Hallay, July 25, 2023
When moving into a new home, it’s important to not only focus on the physical aspects of your space, but also the energy within it. Cleansing the energy in your new home can help you create a positive atmosphere and intention for your new life there.
Setting Positive Intentions
Before you begin any cleansing rituals, it’s important to set positive intentions for your new space. Whether saying a meditation or creating a vision board- focus on what you want to bring into your space. Focus on what matters to you (love, happiness, success, etc.) to create a positive energy flow in your new home.
Smoke Cleansing
Smoke cleansing (burning herbs or incense) has been used for centuries by various cultures to clear spaces. In fact- incense burners dating back 4,500 years ago have been found in Egypt. There’s lots to love about burning herbs such as rosemary, lavender, or palo santo- and allowing the smoke to fill your space. It smells nice- and as the smoke rises, it’s said to clear negative energy and replace it with positive energy. To try it in your home, simply light the herb bundle and walk around your space, allowing the smoke to reach every corner and room. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
A note on sage, which is often referenced in smoke clearing practices. Wild sage (also known as white sage) suffers from severe over-harvesting. If you plan to use this fragrant plant in your intention-setting, I recommend growing it yourself (it’s easy to do!). Or, ask a friend to snip from their plant!
Salt Cleansing
Salt has been used for centuries as a natural purifier and cleanser. Wanna try it? Just sprinkle salt around the perimeter of your space or in the corners of each room. As you distribute the salt, visualize it absorbing any negative energy and replacing it with positive energy. After a few hours, you can sweep up the salt and discard it.
Crystals
If you’re looking for an extra boost in cleansing the energy of your new home, consider crystals! Some popular options include clear quartz, amethyst, and black tourmaline. You can place them in different areas of your home or carry them with you throughout the cleansing process to amplify the positive energy flow.
When DIY methods aren’t enough…
Feeling overwhelmed by the task of cleansing the energy in your new home? Consider enlisting the help of a professional! Portland is rich with energy practitioners who can help you create a positive and harmonious space. They’ll offer guidance on how to arrange your furniture, what colors to use, and which objects to incorporate into your space to promote positive energy flow.
Do it your way!
If you’re not comfortable with smoke or salt cleansing, there are other methods you can use to cleanse the energy in your new home. Playing calming music, burning candles, or diffusing essential oils can also help create a positive atmosphere. Experiment with different methods and find what works best for you and your new space.
Remember: trust your instincts and do what feels good to you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to rearrange or remove it! Your home should be a sanctuary that supports your well-being and happiness.
Two of my favorite Portland shops for space-clearing supplies are Roots & Crowns and Seagrape Apothecary.
Keep the good vibes going
It’s important to continue to maintain a positive energy flow by regularly decluttering, opening windows to let fresh air in, and incorporating plants and natural elements into your space. By doing so, you’ll be able to create a peaceful and uplifting environment that supports your well-being and happiness.
However you decide to do it, creating a positive atmosphere in your new home is an ongoing process and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Trust your instincts, experiment with different methods, and enjoy the process of creating a space that supports your well-being and happiness.
Look Into Your Future
Not a homeowner yet? All of these intention-setting rituals are also useful in manifesting a home of your own! Light some lavender, put on some tunes, and create a wishlist of what kind of space you envision for your future self. Is it a home with big windows and lots of natural light for all of your plant friends? A big yard with space for a veggie or flower garden? If you can dream it, you can do it!
Are you interested in learning more about the home buying process? Ready to look into your future? Work with a realtor who takes time to understand your goals and will help you chart a path towards making them real. Whether you’re thinking of making a purchase soon- or months/years from now… I’m here to help!
Lydia Hallay
Broker | OR
She/They
Buying or selling a home is often one of the biggest (and most stressful) decisions you'll ever make. I'm here to make your experience as seamless (and fun) as possible.
Looking to buy? Whether you're a design-minded dreamer looking for that mid-century unicorn, an investor on the hunt for a fixer (or a 5-plex) to tear into, or a first-time buyer in need of a gentle guide - I'm a skilled negotiator with an eye for design and a knack for finding homes with "good bones." I'm on a mission to ensure you feel empowered and cared for throughout the home-buying process.
Ready to sell? If you want to maximize your sales price, you've come to the right place! With a background in landscape/interior design and construction/project management, I've got the tools it takes to make your house shine. When it comes to catching buyer attention, I go beyond the traditional (ex. open houses, RMLS, etc.)- incorporating cutting-edge tools and outside-the-box strategy to build the hype. When it's time to negotiate, my years of experience bargaining contracts mean I'm calm under pressure and know what it takes to get to YES.
Like many folks working in real estate, I've got a grab-bag of past lives that inform how I show up. Most of my 20's and 30's (17 years), I worked as a union organizer/negotiator on the state and national level- helping workers across sectors and industries join together and become leaders in the fight for better wages & benefits, a voice on the job, and political power. I've been an entrepreneur, a landscape designer, freelance florist, and have a deep well of personal experience with home renovation & property management under my belt.
Aside from working with buyers & sellers, I volunteer my time as the Integrity Chair on Living Room Realty's Broker Advisory Group. In that role, I serve as Living Room's broker representative for our B-Corp status.
A portion of every one of my paychecks goes to Taking Ownership PDX, a community collective of contractors, realtors, neighbors, and businesses who support Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth, and deflect the gentrification process by deterring predatory investors and realtors.
About Me: I was born in Memphis, raised in the Sonoran desert (Phoenix), and have been in the PNW since 2003. I identify as queer, and use she/they pronouns. I'm married with sweeties (i.e., I practice ethical non-monogamy) and nest with my spouse, dog, and two cats in the Lents neighborhood of outer SE Portland. I'm a people person, music nerd, avid gardener, and seed-sower/organizer. Since coming to Portland in 2004, I've witnessed many iterations of the city. I'm bullish on the future here- and excited about all our region has to offer. Good food, proximity to nature, an incredible local music scene, and an inclusive community are just a handful of the reasons I love this area. As your realtor, I promise to show up as myself. I'll hustle hard on your behalf with patience, a good listening ear, professionalism, and a goofy sense of humor. What you see is what you get, friends. And if we decide to work together, that's the kind of authenticity I hope you feel comfortable showing too. Ready to make magic happen? Feel free to shoot me a text/email, or give me an old fashioned ring. I'm excited to meet you!
Land Acknowledgement & Mission Statement As a Realtor, the land I do business on is unceded Indigenous land. The Portland Metro area rests on the ancestral lands of the Cowlitz, Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Watlala, Bands of the Chinook, and so many other nations who made this area their home. In addition to the federally recognized tribes mentioned, there are numerous “unrecognized” tribes and Indigenous groups whose stories are also important. I recognize these tribes' legacy, lives, and descendants, and acknowledge my role and responsibility as a guest on stolen lands. I am committed to using my voice and influence as a real estate professional (and, as a human being) to actively contribute to a more just and equitable future- one that promotes dignity, respect, and repair for the damaged caused by systemic oppression, white supremacy, homophobia/transphobia, and exploitative capitalism. If you can't get behind all that. We're probably not a good fit. :)
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About Me: I was born in Memphis, raised in the Sonoran desert (Phoenix), and have been in the PNW since 2003. I identify as queer, and use she/they pronouns. I'm married with sweeties (i.e., I practice ethical non-monogamy) and nest with my spouse, dog, and two cats in the Lents neighborhood of outer SE Portland. I'm a people person, music nerd, avid gardener, and seed-sower/organizer. Since coming to Portland in 2004, I've witnessed many iterations of the city. I'm bullish on the future here- and excited about all our region has to offer. Good food, proximity to nature, an incredible local music scene, and an inclusive community are just a handful of the reasons I love this area. As your realtor, I promise to show up as myself. I'll hustle hard on your behalf with patience, a good listening ear, professionalism, and a goofy sense of humor. What you see is what you get, friends. And if we decide to work together, that's the kind of authenticity I hope you feel comfortable showing too. Ready to make magic happen? Feel free to shoot me a text/email, or give me an old fashioned ring. I'm excited to meet you!
Land Acknowledgement & Mission Statement As a Realtor, the land I do business on is unceded Indigenous land. The Portland Metro area rests on the ancestral lands of the Cowlitz, Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Watlala, Bands of the Chinook, and so many other nations who made this area their home. In addition to the federally recognized tribes mentioned, there are numerous “unrecognized” tribes and Indigenous groups whose stories are also important. I recognize these tribes' legacy, lives, and descendants, and acknowledge my role and responsibility as a guest on stolen lands. I am committed to using my voice and influence as a real estate professional (and, as a human being) to actively contribute to a more just and equitable future- one that promotes dignity, respect, and repair for the damaged caused by systemic oppression, white supremacy, homophobia/transphobia, and exploitative capitalism. If you can't get behind all that. We're probably not a good fit. :)
- T: 503-807-0156
- lydiah@livingroomre.com
