Want to learn how to love the home you have? Start here. 3 simple ways to loving your already beautiful home.
For me, home is the foundation of everything good in my life. It feels good and makes me happy.
I firmly believe one’s home is a physical manifestation of their mental state.
Home is our refuge. No matter where you go or what you’re doing there is no place quite like home. So, why not make it something that incites inspiration and general contentment?
When anyone pays our home a visit I want them to feel inspired, comfortable and most importantly, at home. I like to make it an experience. A “wow, this is nice” experience.
When I think of our home these are the words that come to mind:
Comfort
Security
Beauty
Happiness
Joy
Relaxation
Sunshine
Here Are 3 Ways to Love The Home You Have!
1. The more light, the merrier.
Sun often gets a bad rap in this country, however, there are many quality benefits. For one, getting proper sun exposure triggers the chemical produced by our brain called serotonin. It is a mood boosting, feel good, happy chemical produced by our brains. And experiencing decreased levels of light and sun exposure could lead to depression and or SAD (Seasonal Affective Order). Two, during evening as the sun is setting a different chemical, melatonin, is on the incline helping us to relax and prepare for slumber. Artificial lighting in our homes, on TV screens and cell phones disturbs our melatonin production causing us feel stimulated when we “should” be preparing for rest.
I generally stay away from artificial lighting in our home because I am not very fond of the way it looks. And I find keeping our home dimly lit at night is great for inducing relaxation and calm. However, if our home gets too dark and I need to get something done, I use a dimly lit lamp (25 watt bulb).
Open your curtains or window coverings all over your home every morning. A brighter home will automatically lift your spirits and put a pep in your step. It’s tough to feel bored and tired when your home is “lit” and stimulating. If you live it a place that doesn’t get great natural light, try sitting near a window for reading or phone surfing. Also, try spending more time outdoors, even during colder temps. Go for a walk in your neighborhood or park, even 15 mins will make a notable difference.
Naturally I am a night owl, so I often end up on my phone posting late into the night ( I have Night Mode enabled, which reduces the amount of stimulating, blue light my screen emits). I plan to make changing regarding my sleep schedule very soon. Pray for me! I will keep you all posted on my early-to-bed-early-to-rise goals! Ha!
There was a time when I used to be affected by SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, it is a form of depression that is related to the change in season (and shorter daylight hours and less sunshine in general). For me, during to the colder months I would feel a bit down and wanted to sleep more and not care to go out as often. The best thing I did to help was be a lot more thoughtful about the type of lighting available and got outdoors more frequently.
I am so grateful to now own a home that gets so much natural, bright light that I don’t have to turn on lights until after sunset! It’s seriously LIT and I love it! Also, CHILDREN! Once I had babies my whole life changed in terms of sleep. I like to joke that I can hear a mouse pee on cotton now that I am a mom. Guys, I used to sleep so HARD! I was that person that could sleep though a loud thunderstorm and wake up to everyone telling me what loud sounds i missed.
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2. Cluttered Home = Cluttered Mind.
Next way to a having a home you love is a clean, decently organized home.
Toys or mess littering your path is not only distracting, it is uncomfortable. A clean home makes space for an even clearer mind. And something as simple making your bed everyday can lift your spirits. Remember to make your home beautiful in your own way. Can’t afford the art you want for your walls? No problem! You can create your own. I personally like to head to Michaels, get a few canvases, brushes and paint! Just make a few paint splashes on said canvas and BAM! Original art!
Another thing I like to do in my home is make our beds everyday. Call me weird, but seeing a well made bed just does something for my spirit. Even as a little girl, I enjoyed watching and playing with my grandmother as she made her bed. She was a stickler about bedding and it rubbed off on me. And to now watch my own babies giggle as I toss their bed sheets in the air while making their beds gives me vivid, fond memories of playing with my granny and her doing the same.
Messiness is simply a habit that can be changed with practice/repetition. Start small with something as simple as making your bed everyday, even if your room looks like a tornado hit it. If this isn’t already a habit for you watch how accomplished this 20 second ritual make you feel. Please remember to let me know how it goes!
Another super effective thing you can do for cleaner home and clearer mind?! Get rid of at least 10 pieces of clothing that you have not used in more than a year. Be real with yourself and get rid of stuff you know you aren’t going to to wear again (especially if it isn’t seriously a timeless or sentimental piece). I used to hold on to clothes that I adored, but were a size 00. Knowing full well I won’t ever be that size again and don’t want to be. However, I was holding on to those things “incase” I loss some extra weight. Haha
And, last, give commonly used things in your house a “home”, starting with one room. When you have an “assigned” place for things it will make it easier to clean quickly without too much thought about where to put them (or find them when you need), thus saving you lots of time and stress. I find it helpful to do micro 15min cleans everyday, then by end of week I don’t have a ton of Saturday Cleaning to do when weekend rolls around. I get to spend that time with my family, sipping coffee , cuddling under a blanket and Instagramming.
3. Show your home some love and be grateful.
If you don’t find a way to love your home then you will resent it and not care to clean or beautify it. And if it isn’t clean and beautiful then you, likely, you will not feel as happy, inspired, comfortable as possible. You won’t feel your your best. I learned to appreciate what I have right now and be grateful for what is to come. And it has changed my life.
Cook in that kitchen like it’s fit for a chef! Luxuriate in your tub like you’re in your dream bathroom (relax, light a candle, put on some music and sip your favorite beverage). Something as small as fresh flowers from you local market, candles, new throw pillows or a new comforter can spark appreciation and more comfort. Show your home a bit of love and it will love you right back!
I remember a time when I told myself I would do better decorating and organizing, once I left apartment living and owned a home.
Then, I had an epiphany.
If I wasn’t already in the habit of appreciating what I already had, why would it change when I got something else? When would the habit of cleaning well, organizing and decorating happen? Why delay happiness and appreciation? The best thing I did was start with what I had. That way I would already be in the habit of caring for and appreciating things when I got what I actually wanted. Appreciate what you have and more will follow.
BONUS TIP: Turn your television off and don’t use it to fill the quiet in your home.
I once heard that TV shows were specifically created for advertisers to sell us product. Programming is created to be dramatic, engaging and to keep you hooked emotionally. Advertisers are banking on it and want your attention for as long as possible (they want you to spend money).
Ever pay close attention to those drug company commercials? Yipes! So scary. So depressing.
And don’t even gett me started on the “news”. Just don’t.
Removing tv from our family room is one of the best things we’ve ever done. We own one television, it’s in the basement, and it comes on maybe once every few months. When bored we get to chat and play with each other. We all get screen time, however, my husband and I prefer to participate in and encourage play and creativity more than anything.
Home Sweet Home.
In conclusion, I think it is important to reiterate, our homes are one the foundation of our lives. It is where so many important decisions, traditions and wonderful things happen. Love it and it will love you too.
I hope you find these tips helpful!
I would love to hear, how do you like to show your home some love?
Drop me a line below!
Love,
LaRie
xo
Want more tips? Check out this inspiring article on more ways to love your home.
#howtoloveyourhome #gratitude #gratitudedaily