A New Year can be a chance to start anew. It can also be a time to declutter our minds, hearts, and homes of the past. The environment you create for yourself has the power to influence mood and stress levels. This makes it all the more important to treat your home as a sanctuary. Here are some tips for creating a happy home that nurtures peace and relaxation.
Start fresh.
A bright, clean home will give you that positive burst of “can do” energy that you will need to tackle the New Year. Begin by sorting through your closets and drawers. Be prepared to keep, discard, or donate. Be honest with yourself— you probably shouldn’t hold on to that ugly holiday sweater just in case you have a themed party to attend next year. If you choose to “keep”, make sure the item is something you will use or wear, and is easily accessible. Do your research and choose a place to donate. Some local charities will even do an at home pick-up. Once you have decluttered, it is time for a deep clean. Reward your organizational efforts by calling in Merry Maids to finish the job and achieve that sparkling, new home look.
Adapt your home for your lifestyle.
It’s time to ask yourself the dreaded questions: how did my junk drawer get to a point where it no longer closes? Or how is it that every shoe in the house is piled up in the entryway? These issues could be a sign that you need an improved organizational system. Consider the old adage, “a place for everything, everything in its place.” Is this true in your home? Where do you put your keys, mail, work bag, important papers, or dirty laundry? Assess the situation and create a system that adapts to your lifestyle. Hang up hooks for keys, coats, or handbags. Set up baskets for shoes in your entryway. Purchase a laundry sorter and a high efficiency Speed Queen washer and dryer to keep those dirty clothes piles at bay.
Create a sanctuary.
After a long day, you should find solace at home. Consider how you like to unwind before or after a full day. Do you like to cozy up with a tea or cocktail in front of the fireplace? Lay in a hammock on a summer’s day? Or do you prefer to curl up under the covers and watch a marathon of Friends? Prioritize your home improvements by putting money towards the spaces that will most positively impact your lifestyle. Simple upgrades like adding textured pillows, flowy drapes, or lighter paint colors can make a room more inviting. A basic lounge chair or Island Bay Hammock can inspire some R&R outdoors. Larger upgrades like designing your own Mendota indoor fireplace, or splurging on a new Kenmore chef’s kitchen, could very well be worth the long-term investment in your daily happiness.
As you embark on 2017, you will encounter new experiences, challenges, triumphs, dirty laundry, junk mail, and countless other things that will infiltrate your living space. Remember to protect your peace by caring for yourself and your home.
Author: Karen Mellor
Karen is a women’s health and wellness advocate who writes to inspire mindfulness in daily living. She is an educator, wife, parent, and hostess-with-the-mostess. Karen hopes to share her tips for staying centered and embracing life’s moments: the good, the bad, and the utterly ridiculous. She believes a little ingenuity and a lot of laughter can instantly disarm stress and yield a more fulfilling, balanced life.
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