Making Your Space Work for You
By Elena Greenland, MA | Therapist in Philadelphia, PA
Can your space be a place that is revitalizing, comforting, and supports your range of needs throughout the day? We may spend time decorating our spaces in ways that reflect our style, but we rarely think about setting up our spaces in regard to what works for us as people and for our own mental health. Have you ever felt dysregulated and unmotivated and found yourself feeling completely different after cleaning up and refreshing your bedroom or washing the dishes? Not only are we able to feel better by accomplishing a small (or large) task, but we also are curating a healthy environment that feels better for both our bodies and our minds – and shouldn’t your own space cater to your needs?
Make your space cozy
A cluttered space makes a cluttered mind. Before you settle in for your day, do a “cozy refresh” where you throw out any trash, pick up clutter, reorganize, and make sure your space feels comfortable to relax in. This does not have to be a deep clean that takes up a lot of time! Set a timer for 10-20 minutes and get your space feeling like your own again. Light a candle, play some music, brew some tea, and enjoy!
Make your hobbies accessible
Sometimes just the thought of having to dig in the back of the closet for your painting set can feel like a chore in itself! It can feel so overwhelming, you may have trouble even wanting to engage with your hobbies, so why not make them more accessible? Set up hobby stations around your home so you can easily pick them up when you feel ready. Planning on knitting later? Keep your knitting supplies closeby on the chair/couch where you plan to sit. Planning on taking a bath later? Pull out your bath bombs, candles, salts, speaker, and set them all up in your bathrooom for later. Feeling like collaging? Pull out magazines and scissors to leave on your table for when inspiration strikes you. Need to phone a friend for emotional support? Leave a list up that gives suggestions on who to call when you need it.
Make your calendar/to-do list visible
The days of big paper calendars on the wall are not over! While phones do a great job of keeping track of things for us, sometimes we need that visual reminder too. Keep a calendar/to-do list in your home that you can refer to (and check things off!) throughout the day. Tip: Schedule fun things into your calendar/to-do list too, intentional rest and play are just as important as that pile of dishes you need to do or that email you need to send!
Leave yourself notes (reminders, thoughts, affirmations, notes of appreciation)
Your space should be used in ways that are going to support you and your mental health on the day-to-day. Posting up thoughts, reminders, affirmations, or notes of appreciation to yourself can be an easy and special way to connect with yourself through positivity and intention throughout the day. For example, if you tend to go hide in your bed when you are feeling upset, put a note on the bedroom wall to encourage yourself or practice an affirmation. Keeping a large whiteboard or paper on your wall can also be used just for jotting down thoughts as they come up, big and small. Create more space in your own mind by getting your thoughts down on paper. Leaving notes can look however you want it to, don’t be afraid to get creative in supporting yourself!
Decorate to please your senses
When decorating your space, think about which colors make you feel content, which images make you smile, which lighting enhances the ambiance, and which textures you like to feel on your skin. Maybe having your loved ones framed up on your wall reminds you of the support and love you feel from your people. Maybe walking through those beaded doorways feels playful and exciting for you every time, install your own! A relaxing scent or some soft music can transform your space and your mood. Forget trying to fit yourself into the latest interior design trend, and instead, try to make your space fit you.
Elena provides in person sessions at our Center City, Philadelphia location. She works with adolescents, adult individuals, couples, and families to address issues related to family dynamics, self-esteem, trauma, life transitions, and queer issues.
ABOUT A BETTER LIFE THERAPY:
A Better Life Therapy was founded in 2013 with a passion for providing warm, compassionate services to individuals and families in Pennsylvania. Our team specializes in relationship health as well as individual mental health. Our team has expertise in areas like anxiety, grief, depression, pregnancy related issues, sexual issues, substance use and trauma.
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