“A simplified life means that what has to get done will get done. And when we pare down life to its simplest, most beautifully basic parts, we’re left with room to enjoy each other, to rest, and to truly savor life with all our hearts, minds, and spirits.” —Emily Ley, “A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living”
My husband and I have always been home bodies. I love to get out and spend time with family and friends doing various activities, but home is my happy place. In 2020, a coping mechanism of mine was to put love and thoughtfulness into the spaces in our home. I deeply believe that a calm space creates a calm mind. Is my house perfect? Absolutely not! I have two tiny humans and some days I simply do not have the capacity to put everything just so. Here are some ways that I have learned to create a calm space:
Do It Yourself!
We all have that room that is an eye sore! You would be surprised how much you can learn how to transform a room by watching YouTube videos. Even a fresh coat of paint and new décor can make a space more peaceful.
Reset the Room
After the kiddos finally go to sleep, we reset the space. The toys go into their bins. I sneak tiny shoes into closets. Tackling the dishes and kitchen table at the end of the day makes the rest of the evening more peaceful.
Indoor Plants
Plants bring so much life and color to a room! I am a new plant mom but am already enjoying adding new plants to our home.
Declutter
In the stage of life my family is in, every 3 months or so I must declutter their rooms, toys, clothes, etc. I watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo back in 2019 and it was a game changer for organization. If you are looking for a method to the madness that does not mean purchasing an abundance of storage containers, I highly recommend watching Marie Kondo’s show or reading her book titled The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
Everything Has a Home.
I am a firm believer that everything needs to have a home! If not, the house becomes utter chaos.
It is Ok to Ask for Help.
For some reason asking for help cleaning a home can feel shameful as a woman. (Even though we are significantly busier than previous generations of mothers.) I recently had a cleaning service come clean my home and it was pure magic! If you have the funds in your budget to have someone help clean your home once a month or just to treat yourself everyone occasionally, I highly recommend it!