Have you ever had an experience that was less than pleasant and realized looking back that it was part of a greater plan packed with valuable lessons? These moments can be golden nuggets that shape the landscape of your life. They can help you adapt and mold your life into a richer and more fulfilling experience, something even greater than you thought possible.
For me, I have always been aware of the great impact that my environment has on my wellbeing. This understanding lead me down the path of combining my skill set of interior design and psychology which allows me to help others create homes that nurture and support their experience in their inner and outer world. This integration builds a solid foundation that one can come home to, to be nurtured, re-energized and rejuvenated.
This summer, the golden nugget was a new found appreciation of how deeply rooted we are in our space. I often teach that our homes are a direct reflection of what we are experiencing in our inner world. We also hold our spaces in our subconscious, dwelling on clutter that needs to be dealt with, doors that need to be painted or window treatments that need to be created. We expend an inordinate amount of unconscious energy on our homes, especially when things are less than harmonious. On the flip side, our homes can revitalize our essence and help us meet the demands of things on the other side of the door. But, what do we do if we don’t have a space to call our own, are transitioning from one space to the next or are continuously on the move?
I have had to examine this question before when we moved from one state to another. That relocation helped guide me in creating a systematic strategy to make the transition smooth and effortless for my family. The change flowed with grace and thankfully the acclimation process was relatively calm and uneventful for all. This was achieved in part because of my need and efforts in creating nurturing spaces within our home. I knew it would take me a bit of time to complete the full-scale house project of setting up, re-configuring and designing to my standards. Instead, I made smaller “safe-havens” for each person in the family. Everyone had a space that would rejuvenate their being so they could go forth into their new world like explorers on a courageous expedition meeting new friends, teachers and unfamiliar territory. This “safe-haven” gave them a place to feel connected and rooted so that the barrage of new experiences wouldn’t leave them feeling dizzy and out-of-balance.
This summer we decided to accommodate all of the busy schedules comprised of heavy work travel, sport training camps and an assortment of sporting tournaments. We attempted to spend as much time as we could each week at our little cottage by the Vineyard Sound. Little did I realize that going back and forth from our main home to our tiny cottage could be so depleting. What I recognized was that I was missing the deep seeded need to feel connected or rooted in my space that gives me support, comfort and a daily injection of calm and harmony. The back and forth left me feeling uprooted and disoriented. I realized that this lack of grounding was at the center of my angst and feelings of imbalance. It made me wonder how individuals and families who constantly relocate, need to move or are in transition maneuver the transitioning landscape. How do they maintain a balanced state and what solutions could be utilized to create a sense of rooted grounding and comfort.
These were my thoughts, which I realized could help with any turmoil, or transition that is happening in one’s life…
1. Safe-Haven
When moving into a new space it can be beneficial to the psyche to select one area and make it comfortable, aesthetically pleasing & inviting. A spot where you can take a deep breath and re-calibrate. With the upheaval that comes with moving I usually suggest making one’s bedroom that space. We spend so many hours a day in that room that it is important to make this space great. Additionally, it is the last space you see as you close your eyes which has an impact on how restful your sleep will be. And, it is the first area you see upon waking which can set the tone for the day ahead. Simplify this space and make it a clutter free zone void of boxes. Think serene and supportive. This will ground you in your new space and help you connect to your inner calm.
2. Clear the Clutter
During a move or a transitioning state, items are typically packed up in boxes. Hopefully those boxes are organized and labeled (we will save the how-to’s of that process for another day) which will help you to navigate with little effort and less energy than if things are haphazardly thrown together. Keeping moving boxes out of your special “safe-haven” area gives you breathing room. Moving boxes or any clutter on the to-do list can cause anxiety and stress. Keeping one space clear from clutter or boxes will give you a sense of calm while in that space. Yet, another reason to make your sleeping area that space.
3. Close to Your Heart Objects
Pictures, mementos or a favorite stuffed bear are all items that can create a smile. Placing a few of these items around your new or temporary space can bring joy to your inner being. Include items that have joyful memories associated with them so that happy hormones are triggered in your body by your unconscious. Notice your feelings or your family’s reaction to whatever items you choose. Make sure you don’t pick things that leave you feeling melancholy about your last home; this will have the reverse effect. Bringing objects that are close to your heart into your new space will help your new space become more connected to your heart.
These are a few solutions to help you feel grounded and calm during times of transition. Your space can support you as you move through your life experience. Why not utilize its impact to give you support, comfort and a daily injection of calm and harmony.
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Happy Soaring!
XOXO
