Creating a Space You Love
Today I want to talk about creating space. You may have heard before that it is important to create space in your life for the things that you want, but it seems really hard to do. You’ve got kids, pets, a partner, a parent - having a home gym or dedicated meditation room is impossible, so you just sneak in workouts here and there when you have the time (trust me, I know - I’ve done workouts in my closet before!).
But you don’t need a lot of space to make room for what matters to you. All you need to do is be intentional in making your home feel like a place that is (at least sometimes) in line with your goals. In my one-bedroom apartment, the space between the windows is all I’m able to dedicate to my meditation practice - but as you can see, I maximize that space! I have art that reminds me about how important it is to breathe, I’ve got my exercise equipment in a basket that I love, I’ve got my plants, a nice candle, and of course the window itself. It is just a small strip of wall space, but I’ve worked hard to make it a tiny place that I love, that provides me with some rest in my apartment and in my day. Here are some tips for creating a restful space that works for your lifestyle!
1. Incorporate one element that reminds you of your goals.
The first thing I do every morning is light my candle. As I do so, I always take a moment to remind myself of where I want to focus my energy. For you, it may not be a candle - it may be fresh flowers, a painting or wall hanging you love, even the mug you drink your coffee out of each morning. But incorporating a tiny ritual into your day that reminds you to be more present can make a HUGE difference in how you approach your goals.
2. Connect with nature.
You don’t have to get outside for an hour-long hike every morning (personally, I struggle with even getting a walk in every day!). But bringing some connection to the natural world into your space is proven to boost your mood. It is easy for every. single. day. to look exactly the same, particularly right now, and one of the things that kept me sane this year was the ability to look out my window and see the trees starting to bud, leaves growing, flowers coming up - and, here in DC, one or two cicadas….
3. Bring in something you love.
Can I tell you something? Every time I look at my little corner, I smile. Yes, really! I love my “inhale” “exhale” prints. I love my gauzy curtains and the silver frames that match. I love the pretty basket where I keep my yoga mats. I love my plants (pictured: Eliza and Gertrude). I love the monochrome gray color scheme, even though my partner thinks it’s boring. It took me some time to collect all of these things, but they genuinely make me happy. If you share space with other people, whether they’re partners, kids, parents, or roommates, it is really important that you have at least one thing that YOU LOVE in your space.
You don’t need a lot of space, a lot of time, or a lot of money to create a place in your home that makes you feel like yourself.
Have a place that you love in your home already? Tried out these tips and creating your own special corner? I’d love to see your photos and hear your stories - comment below!
