5 ways to transform your home into a calm sanctuary
By Katie Nave (@katienavepoetry)
After going through a deeply painful divorce several years ago, I was left to rebuild my life and my home. And as a person who experiences a great deal of anxiety, I knew that I wanted to cultivate a space that felt like a retreat from the world; a daily destination where I could relax and comfortably process all of the change that was swirling around me.
In doing so, I learned quite a bit about transforming one’s environment into a welcoming space that elicits a sense of calm when you walk through the door. Rest assured that creating a serene spot doesn’t need to cost any money or require a professional decorator. I’m a big believer in making plenty of room for imperfections and mess because this is real life — not Architectural Digest!
By taking small, realistic steps towards creating a space that feels like our very own oasis, we’re better able to weather the tough times. So if you’re looking to bring a little more tranquility into your home, read on for our top tips.
5 ways to bring more calm into your space
Get to know your own personal tastes. There is no one-size-fits all formula for creating a restorative environment. Maybe being surrounded by funky colors and textures fills you up or maybe you prefer things minimal and clean. Take some time to get to know what works best for you by noticing how you feel in different spaces. You can even create a digital or physical vision board using magazines or online photos. For example, I used Pinterest to curate images that made me feel good and it was such a fun and creative time of exploration.
Ditch the clutter. Constantly looking at clothes that we “might wear someday” or stacks of unopened Amazon boxes can begin to make us feel overwhelmed and stressed in our space. While doing a full declutter of your entire home might not be realistic, you can try starting with one small area. For example, try organizing your desk drawer or cleaning off the nightstand by your bed. I’ve found it helpful to keep a bag by the entryway of my home. I fill it with items that we no longer want or need over the span of a month and walk them to a local donation center. Clearing out the clutter helps me to breathe a little easier at home, and passing on items to others feels good too.
Bring nature indoors. Did you know that spending even a bit of time in nature can lower anxiety, while improving mental health and cognitive function? I live in a big, bustling city, so I knew that I needed to bring the healing properties of nature into my home. Doing simple things like pulling up the blinds to let in natural light, opening the window to catch a breeze, and playing bird sounds on my speakers have made a big difference in how I feel. Plants can also improve air quality and our mood. Aloe vera or snake plants are great starter options and you can even ask your friends or a local greenhouse for clippings so that you can propagate plants for free.
Create a designated relaxation space just for you. We all deserve an area that makes our shoulders drop at the end of a long day. Is there a small nook or a cozy chair in your home that can be used for a moment of meditation, journaling, reading, or whatever else makes you feel your best? Remember that this doesn’t need to be anything fancy. I have a small cushion next to my bed where I light a candle and take a few minutes to reflect or journal most days.
Invite someone in. Even the introvert in me knows that having a sense of community within my home can make me feel less alone and more confident. Do you have a friend that you could invite over for a cup of tea? Maybe there is a favorite television show that you can have a few people over to watch. Try extending one invitation each week (or however often feels right for you) and see what kind of magic unfolds.
If this list feels overwhelming, try starting with just one small change and try to have fun with it. As you begin to explore what works best for you, remember this affirmation, “I deserve to begin and end my days in a space that soothes me.”
Bio:
Katie Nave is a mental health writer and poet living in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has been featured in publications including Elle, Newsweek, Glamour, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. You can follow for more of her work at @katienavepoetry.