Now more than ever we look to feel safe. We need comfort. We need somewhere to find solace.
We moved into our current home in November 2019 and I am so grateful for that as it has been the most perfect home for us. When I think of some of the ‘ghosts of homes past’ I dread to think of living in them through our lockdowns!
In the 14 years of being with my husband we have moved 14 times, 5 of them from March -2016 – to Nov 2019 and 3 of which being international. At a younger age we ended up in the worst of our past residences, this one being a basement flat in Kings Cross, London. Trying to get some outdoor space, we compromised as a basement seemed to be the only option for this within our budget at the time, this unfortunately had consequences, we ended up with more house mates than we would have liked in the way of flies! So many flies that I had to vacuum the bed at night before we got inside. That was short lived!
When I fast forward to now, I see how I really revel in making our home cosy and comfortable as it really can make or break a day. There is no better feeling than going to bed in fresh clean sheets. Cosying up on the couch with a candle flickering in the background as you watch your favourite movie. Listening to your favourite music while cooking and eating dinner off your favourite plates and chatting about your day. These moments are precious and take you away from the stresses of work, of the outside. They bring you home to what’s on the inside. What matters. Home to me is where the heart is, which belongs to my husband. But also, what we have built together. Not that you have to have a partner for this. Your home alone is a part of you and should bring you happiness and joy.
Just think of what you can do to make your home your happy space and sanctuary as this environment is something you can lean on when in need. Sometimes less is more if you fancy watching or reading the minimalists. The more you have…… the more that can go wrong.
Katie Lowndes
This goes back to the wellness wheel and the importance of your surrounding ENVIRONMENT and how it can affect you.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a fortune. It means being thoughtful about what you do purchase. It means decluttering what doesn’t serve and you and setting things up to make your life easy! You don’t want to feel like things are messy, or that something needs fixing and has done for years. It means having things simple and organised and clean. Taking time to build a home that is YOU. Over time you can build little nooks around the home where you might read, meditate or so whatever makes you happy. It means finding a way of separating work from home if you have been working from home. It means not carrying baggage around with your from your past.
Having your home as a sanctuary really rang home to me recently when chatting to my parents. They found their favourite home when I was 16 and were recently looking at downsizing. However, we talked about the last year and they said that they were not sure how they would have coped being locked down in the UK for so long if they weren’t in their happy space. To them this was their safe haven where they could wake everyday and feel grateful for what they had built.
So, my question to you is are you happy in your space? When you get home do you breathe a sigh of relief and feel the stress melt from your shoulders which are stuck to your ears and now lowering back down.
Top tips and questions to ask yourself
- What needs fixing? What gets on your nerves? A broken handle…. Loose door hinge
- What needs tidying. Mine was the utility room as it was small. I had to find some innovative solution’s to storing clothes racks.
- What can you de clutter? E.g the DVDs that you never watch anymore. The 3 sets of dinner plates, 2 of which you never use (speaking from experience)
- What ornaments can you strip back to make things feel clearer.
- Do you have fresh plants?
- Sleep is so important! Is your bed warm enough? How are the sheets? Can you throw out the bobbly ones? How is the bedside lighting? A nice warm glow?
- What are you hoarding for ‘one day’ that you actually never use and just carry with you?
- Is there one drawer in the kitchen just overflowing with paraphernalia? Can you find everything a new home?
This is of course just the start and an ongoing mission. A little bit a week can keep things calm. You can also look at other concepts, maybe follow Mary Kondo or look at Feng Shui. Whatever calls to you! You may need to get help like a cleaner if that fits your budget. Just think of what you can do to make your home your happy space and sanctuary as this environment is something you can lean on when in need. Sometimes less is more if you fancy watching or reading the minimalists. The more you have…… the more that can go wrong.
I just know that if I come home and its messy, or if I can’t find something or the bed is too cold or not warm enough. If there is no food in the fridge or I haven’t had time to clean….. it just adds stress to my day and everything else starts to unravel.
In RETEAT 360 we always look at this as part of our journey to fulfilment. How can you live a little retreat life every day at home?
Happy Retreating!
