By Stephanie Dempsey
Provided by Tarot.com
Mixing business with pleasure is tricky. If you're determined to enjoy the best of both worlds, try the following feng shui tips. They can help you navigate that thin line between professionalism and passion. More importantly, they can also keep you out of trouble with the Human Resources Department!
Invest in Decorative Containers -- The secret to success with an office romance is striking a healthy balance between your work and private lives. One good way to do this is to invest in handsome containers, like in-boxes, file cabinets and magazine racks. Once you get into the habit of stowing unnecessary work items from public view, it will be much easier to shield your romance from curious onlookers, too.
Shield Your Desk from View -- One of the greatest challenges about an office romance is keeping your public and private lives separate. Therefore, you need to shelter your workspace from public view. A good way to do this is to arrange a row of plants or books along the unsheltered sides of your desk. Hanging a personal item like a jacket or sweater on the back of your chair can keep people at bay, too. You can also put your work chair on a small area rug as a means to create a clear but subtle line of demarcation between you and your colleagues.
Protect Your Romance from Prying Eyes -- If you're involved with one of your colleagues, be very careful about displaying romantic objects in your office. Instead hanging of a loving photograph of the two of you, choose a subtler symbol of your love. For instance, you can frame a postcard of your most recent vacation destination. Alternately, you may want to arrange two game pieces that are symbolic of your personalities on the far right corner of your desk. Any keepsake that has secret personal meaning for the both of you is appropriate.
Keep Fresh Flowers in Your Workspace -- Engaging in an office romance can be quite stressful. Keeping a vase of fresh flowers in your office will demonstrate your commitment to keeping your relationship healthy in the midst of difficult circumstances. Be sure to replace these flowers whenever they get dull or faded so your love will stay alive.
Divert Gossip -- Office romances can cultivate vicious gossip. A good way to divert rumors is to keep a small fountain in your work area. The sound of running water has a cleansing effect on people's thoughts and behavior. A noise machine that replicates the sound of a bubbling stream can also inhibit people from speculating about your love life.
Alert Yourself to Visitors -- If you're involved in an office romance, you need to be scrupulous about your behavior. Hanging a bell from your office door will alert you to approaching visitors, thereby prompting you to end intimate conversations.
Untangle Yourself from Unhealthy Relationships -- When it's time to cut the romantic cord with a colleague, untangle the cords in your office. Make sure the electrical cords from your telephone, computer, printer and lamps aren't twisted together. Separate papers into appropriate piles, and arrange books into categories. The more organized your workspace, the easier it will be to separate your public and private lives.
Solid as a Rock -- It can be challenging to keep an office romance grounded in reality. Filling your workspace with rocks, gemstones and unpolished crystals will remind you to take a more earthly approach to your love life. Rocks and crystals can also prevent office politics from interfering with your relationship.
Get Rid of Wobbly Furniture -- Wobbly chairs and tables can be symbolic of shaky relationships. Replace these pieces with furnishings that sit firmly and squarely on the floor. This is also a good way to withstand any pressure that your work life would otherwise exert on your relationship.
Keep Unwanted Suitors at Bay -- If you're trying to fend off an unwanted admirer at work, place a cactus in the center portion of the far wall of your office. For added protection, keep the cactus in a bright red pot.
About the Author
Stephanie Dempsey is an accomplished author, feng shui practitioner and astrologer. She has contributed to several New Age titles, including 'Your Birthday Sign Through Time: A Chronicle of the Forces That Shape Your Destiny' and the upcoming 'Love Signs and You: The Ultimate Astrological Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships.' She holds a degree in feng shui from the Mountain Institute of Tribeca in New York City.
