We are about to turn the page on one of the most controversial, exhausting, anxious years that we will likely ever face. But you know what? We survived!! Like many of you, I am ready to leave 2020 behind with the hope that 2021 will bring peace and a return to normalcy.
Every year on New Years Eve, I sit in anticipation of the opportunities the new year will bring. Where will I travel this year? What home improvements will I treat my house to? Will this be the year that I meet my husband? Or better yet, maybe this is the year that I finally write that book?? I LOVE the opportunities that each new year brings. I clean out my closets and I clean out my life, opening up space in my heart and in my home for the positive experiences that the new year will bring. I enter each new year with hope and excitement, and a list of new goals!
Speaking of goals… Many people are making their list of New Years resolutions today, but I stopped making resolutions a few years ago because they didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s how I worded a resolution (“Lose 20 pounds” versus “Create healthy habits”) or the fact that my resolutions were too ambitious (“Publish a book this year.”) Now, I make a list of realistic goals that I want to achieve over the next year, but instead of focusing most of my effort on achieving those goals, I focus more on setting myself up for success. I clean out my closets, put away the clutter, buy new food prep containers, and set up automatic deposits into my savings account. I have realized that the more I set myself up for success, the more likely I am to achieve my goals in the new year.
If you want to achieve your resolutions or goals in 2021, then begin at home. Have you ever heard that your home is a reflection of your mental state? You may have noticed that when you clean, you immediately feel better. I know I do! This is because the messier your home, the less you are able to relax and recharge.
If you want 2021 to be your year, then you need to create a home environment that allows you to succeed.
Our minds need a safe space, a place where we can unwind, stop thinking, and completely disconnect after a long day. We need a haven for comfort and relaxation. Now that I am working from home, I spend almost every moment of my days at home, so it’s important that my home is a place where I feel inspired to work, play, and relax.
As we begin this new year, take inventory of what is in your home. Look at your home through your five senses: What do you see, feel, smell, hear, and taste in your home? Are you surrounded by items that inspire you, make you smile, and are healthy for both your physical and mental health? Do you have a plush throw pillow to rest your head on while you binge Netflix and sip a glass of Merlot? You don’t need a large home in order to feel relaxed at home. I have lived in tiny studio apartments and have felt more at home there than in large apartments. My home now is not big, but it’s perfect for Ellie (my pup) and me. And most of all, it feels like home when we are there. Everywhere I look, I see photos and items that inspire me. When I come home from a long walk, or when I lift my head up to think of a new idea for work, I immediately feel relaxed and inspired.
From my home to yours, here are five of my favorite items that have made my home a place of inspiration and relaxation. I am not receiving any kind of compensation or rewards to tell you about these items; they are truly just a few of my favorite things that I want to share with you.
See. My home is a reflection of who I am, where I have been, and where I am going. Actually, fun fact about my home: Each room is themed according to something important to me. My bedroom and bathroom are beach themed and decorated with several framed photos of my days living on Cape Cod. My guest room is fashioned with photos of friends and family, as this is their room when they visit. My loft is inspired by my travels and my bookshelf houses artifacts from my adventures abroad. Framed photos of family hang in every room, but my favorite photo is the photo of my grandparents at my uncle’s wedding, which sits on an end table next to my couch. They have both passed, but when I look at this photo, it reminds me of their love for me. There are inspirational wall hangings in every room, which inspire me to keep dreaming and keep doing. Look at your home. What do you see? What do you want to see when you are home? Your walls and shelves should be filled with items that bring you joy and comfort. If they are not, take some time this week to print out a few of your favorite photos and hang them in places where you will see them often. Buy yourself a few nice picture frames to spice up your décor. I love an excuse to go to Home Goods or TJ Maxx. Though, does a girl really need an excuse to shop? Absolutely not.
Feel. I am a HUGE fan of comfortable throw blankets. In a recent closet clean out, I forced myself to donate a few blankets because I have far too many. I have seasonal throws and plain throws. I once bought a throw blanket in Atlanta and had no idea how I would fit it in my tiny carry-on bag for the flight home, but I loved it so much and had to buy it. (In case you’re wondering, I made it fit.) It’s the most comfortable blanket I ever felt (see photo below) and bonus, it was half price! Here is the link, though it doesn’t look like it is on sale right now: https://www.ugg.com/home-and-gifts/ana-knit-throw/14884.html?dwvar_14884_color=SEL#start=4&cgid=home-collection-blankets I love cozying up with a comfy blanket, a soft pair of slipper socks, and a warm drink on a cold winter evening. Take inventory of the fabrics and materials in your home. Are they soft, or are they scratchy and uncomfortable? Can your cold, hardwood floors be warmed by a soft area rug? Are your couch throw pillows comfortable or are they merely decorative? We spend most of our lives in bed. How comfortable is your bedding? Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a new comforter and sheets. After a busy day of work, there is nothing more relaxing than resting your head on a comfy pillow and wrapping up in a warm blanket.
Smell. Let me first say that I am not a fan of those smelly candles from stores like Yankee Candle. (Sorry Yankee Candle.) I get migraines and the only smells I can tolerate without triggering a migraine are the apple and pine scents. Honest to goodness, they are the only ones that won’t leave me bedridden for the rest of the day. That said, I am very fond of burning candles, but I prefer the natural kind like soy or beeswax. My favorite candle is handmade from Bedrock Tree Farm in Rhode Island. (see photo below) It doesn’t have a strong pine scent, but it’s perfect for my living room. Here is the link: https://firneedleproducts.com/majar8ozcowi3.html, and they’re on clearance right now!! The wooden wick is also much healthier than the burning cotton wicks in most candles. If you are looking for a natural and healthy alternative for your candles, while supporting a family owned business, I highly recommend you check out Bedrock Tree Farm.
Hear. I grew up in an Italian family where “inside voices” are other people’s “outdoor voices.” So when I tell you that my childhood home was loud, I am not kidding you. I went from a loud childhood home to a loud college dorm, to an eerily quiet little apartment where I lived on my own. It was a tough transition!! I was used to many noises, and suddenly it was so quiet that I could hear my own thoughts. Go figure. I had to get a dog because I couldn’t handle the silence. What do you hear in your home? Do you play music while you cook dinner? Or maybe, if you’re like me, you might call someone while you are eating so you don’t have to eat alone. Maybe it’s not noise that you crave, but rather silence. Perhaps you need a quiet space where you can close your eyes and meditate for 10 minutes each night. Listen to the sounds in your life. What do you need to hear to feel fulfilled?
Taste. Being confined to my home all day, with food just steps away from my desk, can be very dangerous. If you’ve read any of my other blog posts, you already know that while most people were putting on the “Quarantine 15,” I actually lost weight during the pandemic. Why is this? It’s because I set myself up for success with the food that I stocked on my shelves. I refused to buy ice cream and candy, and instead, stocked up on healthy popcorn and chocolate protein shakes for that afternoon sugar rush. My single most useful kitchen gadget is my Vitamix. I will tell you that these are not cheap; they run about $400. If you are looking for a basic blender, you can buy one in Walmart for about $20. But if you want to make homemade purees and soups, the Vitamix is the way to go. I make an afternoon shake with the chocolate vegan Shakeology powder from Beachbody (https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/us/b/shakeology?code=SEMB_SHK_GOOGLE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgf6nlfv17QIVEW6GCh3jfQhAEAAYASAAEgIowvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). I mix the chocolate powder with 8 ounces of oat milk, about 5 ice cubes, 1 TBS of peanut butter powder, and some fruit, if I have it on hand, like a banana, a few strawberries or blueberries. It’s delicious, and it takes away the sugar craving. Take a look in your fridge and in your pantry. What are you snacking on? Do you have fresh fruit, whole grains, a few healthier snack options? I live by the 80/20 rule. I eat well 80% of the time and allow myself space to eat goodies in moderation 20% of the time. We are giant fuel tanks; what we fuel ourselves with is what will either accelerate us or cause us to stall. If you fill your body with healthy food, your mind will be sharper and you will have more energy to achieve those 2021 goals!
In this new year, begin the year right by setting yourself up for success in your home. Design an environment that allows you to thrive and achieve your goals. How do you set up your home to help you achieve your goals? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Happy New Year!
-C
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The C-Word 