This is a repost from my blog on Susquehanna Style.
Hopefully we’re constantly evolving: mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc. Our perspectives change when we travel, our beliefs morph as we expand our friend circles, and we become more confident as we learn to set boundaries. A huge practical step in my personal evolution towards a gratitude mindset was deciding to set boundaries in my home environment. There’s nothing like taking ownership of the environment you live and sleep in and intentionally creating opportunities for it to serve you. It obviously took me some time to get there. When I first bought a house in Lancaster city with my husband over a decade ago, we worked with what we had and added whatever we could to make our house feel like a real home to us. I’ve always had a bend toward tidiness, but things hit the fan when I found out I was pregnant while I was still nursing my first baby. Struggling through some postpartum complications with little sleep and two babies left my house looking like a war zone by the end of the day. I was in survival mode and wish I had had the awareness and tools to truly simplify before this transition, but sometimes it takes a roadblock to get our attention and spark a change. When the dust finally began to settle, I remember deciding to be more conscious of my surroundings, for my sake and my family’s sake. I began to notice how I was feeling in a room and I was learning a lot about what I truly needed and what I could live without (physically, emotionally, spiritually too). I took one room at a time, starting with my living room because that was the first room everyone enters when they come into our house. It’s also the room I decided would function as a gathering place and I wanted it to feel safe, comfortable, welcoming, and peaceful. The wall color needed to be changed from tan to a soft blue gray. I saw extra furniture that was taking up valuable breathing room instead of serving me and my family. I replaced knickknacks with functional things that brought the room to life like plants, candles, light fixtures, and art. I started asked myself, “What do I want to bring into my future?” and things just took off from there. If you’re in need of a reboot or an extra pair of eyes to help you envision a home environment that inspires you instead of overwhelms you, I’d love to chat. I am still growing and learning, still on this journey of uncovering my true self and learning what I love and what brings me to life and I’d love to hear what you’re discovering about yourself too. Follow me on Instagram @morespace_organizing for encouragement, tips, and more because you deserve to have the healthiest relationship with your home.