How to Create a Peaceful and Calm Environment in Your Space

Let's face it... staying calm all the time is quite challenging. I've always admired those who remain composed when everything seems chaotic. One strategy that has helped me achieve a sense of calm is focusing on my external environment to foster inner peace. When everything feels out of control, we can manage how we feel in our surroundings. This usually begins with decluttering and organizing, but during times when productivity is even more challenging, here are some quick tips to get started. Experiment with one or more and find what best helps you achieve calm: 

ROOM BY ROOM TIPS

• Kitchen - Meal plan, make grocery lists and stick to them, take inventory and practice first in, first out to reduce food waste. At the end of the night, clear and wipe down counters and wash and put dishes away. 

• Bedroom - Each morning make the bed to start your day off. Even if this room doubles as a different space - keep this room calm and cozy to create an end of day sanctuary. 

• Bathroom - As much as possible, keep counters clear from excessive products. After using what you already have, try switching to products the whole family can use in order to reduce the number of items to store. 

• Home office - Whether this is an actual room, your dining table or a makeshift workspace -  be sure to clear paper clutter and clean up your workspace at the end of each day. Try working by a window if possible too. 

• Living room/dining room - Since these are often multi-use rooms, create designated zones for lounging, playing, reading, working, exercising and put things away after use. Opt for furniture with good storage, use baskets, bins or mobile storage such as a cart to clear and reset the space. 

• Entryway - Have a place for outerwear, bags, shoes, incoming paper/mail. Make a plan to go through the paper daily if possible or weekly. 

OTHER TIPS

• Visualize - Think of a space that feels calm when you wake up to it and walk into it. How would that make you feel? Keep this vision and feeling in mind when you’re not feeling motivated. 

• +/- Digital - Unsubscribe to catalogs and opt for digital whenever available. Clear your email inbox using Unroll.me and try to keep away from time-stealing, distracting apps and excessive news consumption. 

• Other - These tips can be applied to any space at any time: 

  Relax - Use a candle or diffuser to work and relax by and play some good music.

  Get creative - If you feel the need to mix things up and get excited about a space, get creative and reuse furniture and/or decor from one space to another.

  Maintenance - Tidy up at the end of the day, put things back in their place and come up with a maintenance plan and systems for everyone in your home to follow.

  Keep it simple - If you’re feeling overwhelmed keep goals small and do away with perfection. Carve out pockets of time to declutter and organize (15, 20, 30 mins.) - this can make a huge difference over time. 

If you're ready to take the next step towards a decluttered, organized space and calm that’s easy to maintain, contact me here. * Photo: Min Pham on Unsplash.com