When you’re working to manifest a better life, one of the key things you’ll be trying to do is sustain a positive, open mindset—and this can be an uphill struggle if your home doesn’t have that sort of atmosphere. But there are ways that you can make your home a happier place.
For example, if your house is a chaotic place or something about it leaves you feeling anxious or tense, it can be a lot harder to get into the right frame of mind for visualization exercises or mindfulness techniques. The good news is that there are some small but powerful changes you can make to transform your home into a happier, more relaxing place.
Research conducted by clinical psychologists has shown that people are more likely to succeed in their self-improvement goals if they surround themselves with furnishings that are emotionally satisfying.
For example, focus on decorating your rooms with items that connect with good memories and strong, positive feelings. Think images of loved ones, souvenirs from wonderful trips, and objects that represent what you want to achieve.
In contrast, try to put away things that bring on emotional dissatisfaction. Perhaps, unwanted gifts that you display out of a sense of obligation, or things that remind you of past difficulties.
Any interior decorator will tell you that lighting has an incredible impact on mood—both good and bad. It’s particularly important to maintain optimal indoor lighting in the winter months when natural light is scarce.
Ideally, you should look for bulbs that closely mimic natural light, and consider simply using candles when you want to relax with a book, meditate, or write in your journal. Candles create coziness and a sense of safety, which are conducive to a happier mood.
Meanwhile, try to avoid fluorescent lights, as studies show that they can trigger feelings of anxiety and melancholy.
Instead of just throwing something in the microwave or trying to plan tomorrow’s to-do list in your head while you’re cooking, try letting the act of cooking anchor you in the present moment. If you can hone in on the details and experiences that make it enjoyable, your kitchen will be a happier place to be!
Notice every aspect of the preparation process. The temperature of water rinsing vegetables, the sound of your salad knife hitting the chopping board, and the warmth radiating from the stove.
In addition, try to keep your kitchen organized in a way that makes cooking a seamless, methodical process—you’ll feel better for it.
Just like lighting, colors have a discernible impact on emotions. While you might have a favorite color, there is an impressive body of evidence suggesting that certain colors have an objectively positive impact on the viewer.
In particular, nature-based colors are known to lift the spirits and elicit a mellow mood—good examples include pale green, deep brown, and mid-blue (like the color of the sky on a sunny day). If you’re thinking that you don’t have the money or time to redecorate your house, don’t worry—even just a few well-placed objects can make all the difference.
Fresh plants around your desk can make you feel happier when you’re working, and blue pillowcases can make your room a sanctuary for rest and relaxation.
Most people who deliberately create a positive space in a particular area are doing so with the aim of meditating or visualizing in that area. However, your “happy place” can also be used for reading, writing, playing music, planning, or just thinking—in other words, you can use it for just about anything that emphasizes self-care.
Try to find a place that’s away from the noisiest parts of your home, and that is private enough that you won’t be disturbed when you go there.
In addition, make sure everyone you live with understands the importance of this space, and that it is not to be used for anything other than the purpose you choose.
Your aim should be to make the area as comfortable as possible (whether with piles of soft cushions or a wonderfully sumptuous new chair), and to decorate it with the kind of positive objects mentioned above.
Finally, if you can see the best parts of you reflected back when you look around your home, it’s bound to be a much happier place to be. Don’t try to force yourself to create a home that looks impressive and stylish but doesn’t suit your nature—choose the décor, furnishings, and trinkets based on your unique personality, passions, and preferences.
And remember that these preferences can change over time, so make a habit of rethinking the look of your rooms at least once every couple of years.
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