Have you ever walked into someones home and felt instantly at peace and wonder admiringly how they seem to always have such a stress free clutter free space? Well, there is an art to this way of life.
But achieving your own peaceful sanctuary, one that speaks to you personal needs is possible through daily ritual. I try not to use the word “chore”, it just sounds so… well like a chore.
Disclaimer: If you live with someone that is not quite as eager as you are to practice a life of uncluttered bliss, this can be a struggle.🙋🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
Don’t say you weren’t warned! But I have also found there is a balance in this struggle as there is always a give and take in any relationship… Right? And a healthy balance of give and take keeps your home pretty stress free as well.
An example of one of my morning rituals most always consists of making my bed. I find that doing so, I function so much better in my entire space. The process of my bed making ritual is like meditation for me. I am mindful of the every detail. And with ever wrinkle smoothed there is an intention of calm… a positive hope of what the day will bring… Or maybe a contemplation of some fragment of a dream left over from the previous nights slumber.
It also allows me to clear any negative thoughts or problems I may have on my mind. This clearing offers the space I need to find solutions to issues I may be dealing with at the time.
Below I’ve listed some ideas that may help in your never ending pursuit clutter free home. Mind you I say never ending because it is a daily process.
Some of these tips I practice on a daily basis. Some of them I honestly could be more consistent with. And others I may need to incorporate myself. Like I said, it’s a process.
1. Create a Chill Zone:
This comes in handy especially if you live in a small space or with just live with other people in your spaces period. The chill zone should be a designated area that everyone knows is off limits to the rest of the madness that may be going on in your home. When you’re there anyone living with you should know that you need some space right now… OK!?
2. Make Your Bed Everyday:
I mentioned this ritual above. But to be clear… You do not have to strive for magazine photo shoot ready perfection. Just the process of pulling up the sheets and smoothing them out is a great feeling and adds to and over all stress free home. That said, if you do nothing else for the rest of the day, at least you’ve accomplished one thing! And as Zen Buddhist Priest and author Karen Maezen Miller states, “The state of your bed reflects the state of your head.” So there!
3. Ditch the Alarm Clock:
The shrillness of a loud alarm clock is definitely a good way to start your day off on a stressful note. And that stressful energy lingers long after you throw the clock across the room to get it to shut up! An alternative could be letting natural light be your wake up call instead. Add translucent shades, blinds or curtains and let the sunshine be your wake up call!
4. De-Clutter:
If there is one thing you take away from this list let it be this… Don’t hang on to anything with negative energy! This means gifts from past bad or failed relationships and old outdated or unwearable clothing need to go. Throw these things out or bless them and regift them to someone in need. But before you regift perform another little ritual by making sure wearable gifts are clean… Please and thank you! You can also cleanse unwashable items by letting them sit out in the sun to release any negative energy surrounding them before you send them on their way to a new home. If you have unfinished projects laying around either finish them or let it go. Seeing these things in your space only clutters your mind with thoughts of failure or regret.
5. End the Evening with a Ritual:
Like your morning ritual a night time ritual or two can be very meditative and relaxing. Like washing and putting away the dishes before bed. This and also keeps your stress down in the morning… Because who wants to wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes? Or maybe choosing and setting out your outfit for the next day so that you’re not feeling rushed in the morning. Ending the evening with a hot cup of relaxing tea is another nice way to end the day and keeps your home energy stress free as it quiets your thoughts for a pleasant nights sleep.
6. Keep House Plants or Buy Fresh Flowers:
I love seeing and taking care of nature in my space! Studies have shown that plants reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and also cleans the air in your home. I can testify to all of that! Another way to bring some calm and beauty in is to treat yourself to fresh flowers every once in awhile. You don’t have to wait for someone else to declare it a special occasion… You are the special occasion… Be nice to you!
7. Use a Kitchen Timer for Your Least Favorite Tasks:
I honestly haven’t tried this one but I definitely will consider adding a kitchen timer app to my phone cause a sistah hates folding laundry… Nope… folding laundry is definitely not my favorite thing. It would also be good for another one of my least favorite things to do… answering or deleting email. Just set the timer for 15 – 20 minutes. When the bell chimes it releases you from your drudgery and you can move on to the something more enjoyable…. like eating cookies or netflix bingeing… Or both…oooh at the same time!!🤔
8. Unplug Electronics When Not in Use:
I try to do this nightly as I am overly stimulated by all the on stand by lights and humming electronics create. I sometimes even do this during the day. Hey… If I’m not using something electrical, why have it on? I know it’s not feasible to turn off everything, like the refrigerator for instance. But cell phones, laptops, televisions, etc… It’s just too much! And in the evening it could be keeping you from getting a good nights sleep as well.
9. A Place for Organizing Small
Searching for your keys or your glasses all the time is just one more stress inducing activity! Little things like keys, glasses, remote controls and mail should have a place of their own; maybe a decorative box near the t.v. for the remote controls, a hanging basket on a wall for mail or a shelf my the front door for keys so they are easy to find and out of the way. As for eye glasses, makes sure they’re not on your head first… What? It happens!🧐🤓
10. A Soothing Color Palate:
Calming colors throughout your space gives an overall feeling of peace and tranquility. I know… some people love their bright bold colors. And I say to each his/her own!! I have gone from bright to mid-tone and now to neutrals and whites and grays.
Currently I have found for me that less is more as far as inside colors go. Colors have such varying effects on different people. Lately I’ve tended to be very sensitive to loud colors in my own private space. For instance… right now anyway… there is nothing more stress free, peaceful and comforting as climbing inside a bed of white cotton bed linens. But moods change… right? So go with what feels right for you 😉
I hope that you try some of the ideas on this list of ten. If you do, or if you have some your own you’d like to share, please do so or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from from.
Live Well… Ellavate7!
ELLAVATE 7 