If I had to choose one phrase to sum up the goal for the homes I work in, it would be this: CREATE CALM.
Life these days is busier than ever and it’s so important to find a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Your environment has a gigantic impact on your mood and well-being. We all deserve a refuge; a place to relax and re-energise.
A home that is cluttered, disorganised and unloved is not a calm one but it’s always possible to make a few changes at home to create a stronger sense of calm.
Here are a few simple rules and ideas which can make your space more harmonious and create a sense of peace both in your home and your head.
Important Work Takes Time
Lots of physical possessions in a home can cause a feeling of stress and overwhelm. It’s tempting to think, ‘I want this sorted now!’ However, it’s vital to adopt the right approach; don’t try to declutter your whole house in a week – you’ll exhaust yourself. Instead, declutter in bite-size chunks of between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. Focus on contained spaces such as a drawer, cupboard or shelf. Arm yourself with paper and a pen to make notes of ‘actions’ and designate rubbish, recycling and donation bags.
Notice the energy
Be aware of the items in your home that are associated with undesirable feelings. By removing items with negative energy, you will be one step closer to creating a serene space. Likewise, you will own items which have strong, positive sentimental value. So don’t keep these boxed up and out of sight. Incorporate them into your line of vision or use them so you can appreciate the feelings they invoke.
Create ‘corners of joy’
No matter how compact your home might be, you can create happy nooks and crannies within it. This could be a reading chair next to a window, a shelf containing a collection or mementos or a meditation corner complete with cushions. These spaces can be used as sanctuaries to escape to when you need a moment of calm.
Feed your subconscious
By intentionally creating cues to calm your mind, you will feel more tranquil at home on autopilot. Examples might be a positive quote on the wall, a signature scent through a diffuser or candle, or perhaps soft, comforting cushions and throws to sink into on the sofa.
Shine the right light
During the day time, let in as much sunlight as possible to boost mood and beware of painting northern facing rooms in dark colours. You can also use mirrors to further reflect light. However, in the evenings, rooms benefit from lamps, candles or fairy lights to create soft pools of light. These will create a warm ambiance which feels cosy and calm.
Have rules for technology
Constant pings and notification alerts can keep the receiver (and others in the home) on edge. Implement boundaries for using devices at home. For example, ban tech at the dinner table or adopt ‘screen free Sunday’. Avoid reaching for your phone the minute you wake up by keeping it in flight mode overnight and not turning this off until you’ve had a calm start to the day.
Be consistent
Finally and perhaps most importantly, if you want a harmonious home, you have to work at it daily. This means being a conscious consumer through being intentional about what you buy. It also means tidying and cleaning as you go rather than waiting until things build up. Finally, it means being aware when something stops working or ceases to be of use and acting accordingly. Your home is a constant work in progress – don’t let things get to the stage where you lose your sense of calm.
Hopefully the above will help you create peace and calm in your home so that it becomes a place in which you can wholeheartedly relax.
Thanks so much for reading
A Tidy Mind x