Why I Started Closing the Bathroom Drain Every Night — And It Actually Changed My Mornings
A skeptical homeowner tries closing the bathroom drain cover and toilet lid every night, and notices a surprising shift in her morning mood and focus.
Location
Austin, TX, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Bathroom
Direction
Northeast
The Problem
I’d been waking up groggy for months. Not the ‘I stayed up too late’ kind of tired, but a heavy, foggy feeling that followed me from the bathroom to the coffee maker. My apartment was small, and the bathroom sat right across from my bedroom door. Every morning I’d shuffle past the open toilet and sink, and the air felt... stale, almost heavy. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but I started dreading that first step out of bed.
What They Tried
A friend mentioned that she keeps her bathroom drain covers closed when not in use, and always puts the toilet lid down. She said it was just a habit she picked up, nothing mystical. I thought it sounded silly, but I was desperate for any change. So I started closing the sink drain, the tub drain, and the toilet lid every night before bed. That was it. No rearrangement, no cleaning spree — just three small gestures.
What Happened
The first morning, I noticed the bathroom felt different — less ‘open’, if that makes sense. By the end of the week, I was waking up with a clearer head. The heaviness I associated with that corner of my apartment was gone. I’m not saying it’s magic, but I haven’t skipped a night since. My mornings are calmer, and I don’t dread walking past the bathroom anymore.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 艮 ☶ · Gen |
|---|---|
| Direction | Northeast |
| Element | earth |
What works best here
Gen (8) · Earth. Northeast benefits from moderate height and warm, earthy materials.
Place: ceramic pots, clay sculptures, tall wooden shelves, earthen tones.
Recommended crystal
Citrine or Tiger's Eye — placed at eye level on a bookshelf in the northeast
An ideal spot for a study nook or reading corner — keep it well-lit and grounded
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Text
Los cuartos de baño tienen una función básica: eliminar los desechos humanos a través del lavabo, la bañera, la ducha y el retrete. Y cuando los desagües del cuarto de baño están abiertos, el chi que fluye por esa zona y sus alrededores tiende literalmente a escaparse por ellos. El retrete resulta especialmente problemático debido al tamaño de su abertura. Mantener cerrada la tapa cuando no se utiliza es realmente una obligación si se quiere mantener el flujo de chi vital en su casa o en su lugar de trabajo. Muchas personas cierran absolutamente todos los desagües del cuarto de baño cuando no lo utilizan.
English Translation
The bathroom's purpose is to remove waste, but open drains—sink, tub, shower, and especially the toilet—can cause the vital energy of a space to leak out. Closing the toilet lid and all drain covers when not in use helps retain that energy, keeping the home balanced.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
This case illustrates a practical habit rooted in spatial awareness: closing drains and lids to reduce visual and sensory 'openness' in a room. Modern psychology supports the idea that our environment affects mood and cognition—uncovered drains and an open toilet create a sense of incompleteness or exposure, which can subtly increase anxiety. By closing them, the homeowner introduced a small ritual that signaled closure and order, which may have contributed to a calmer morning state. The principle here is less about energy and more about how small environmental cues can reset our mental state.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
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Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
RD Chin, Feng Shui Architect
NYC licensed architect, Feng Shui master, and published author. Worked under legendary architect Paul Rudolph. Specializes in complex residential and commercial blueprint Feng Shui assessment and spatial flow micro-adjustments. Conducts Feng Shui public courses across the US.