Does your home reflect and nurture you?
Is your home a true reflection of you? If not, why not? Now that’s a topic! But seriously – does your home reflect you?
Does it support you emotionally? Is it a place where you want to go home to? Once at home do you feel protected? Never want to leave? Is it your sanctuary? If not, why not? Make it your own – put your own stamp on it, surround yourself with things that you love and toss the rest.
Like the comfort food of sticky black rice pudding your home should be a place that nurtures, comforts, and supports you.
Good design should support you (and of course those that live with you).
Home should be a place that’s a reflection of you and your interests, hobbies, passions, and desires.
Its all about making it your own
Minimalism is a trend at the moment which I’m following online. On the one hand as I go through old paperwork and shred, shred, shred, I understand the need to reduce. But there I’m going to stop and stand firm and say, yes, get rid of what no longer supports you. But don’t let anyone (online or in person) convince you to get rid of what you love, what defines you to yourself as you. Your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread. It needs to reflect you and your passions.
But I’m drowning in the The Horrible Terrible Paper Clutter!
I know, me too! What every happened to the paperless society? I seem to turn around and have paper stuck to me. So what can we do with paper clutter? Some of it’s easy – the (more than 7 years) old tax returns – shred. Old love letters or photos – well, why would you do that? If they are in boxes piled to the ceiling then yes, weed them out. But isn’t it nice every now and then to go down memory lane?
I recently found a box of old photos and cards for my wedding. I took a deep breath, went through them, saved one or two and threw out the rest! Yes, I did. It was fun, and liberating.
Old high school, college, or university texts and notes – there’s this amazing thing called the Internet – let it go!!!
Make way for what’s important to you right now
I’ve got a few other posts about de-cluttering. I fully support de-cluttering – but – and this is a big but – only to help reveal the very essence of what you find important in life. You can read it here.
We are all social, spiritual beings who have memories of people, places, and experiences that we hold dear. Sometimes those items are images, sometimes they are things.
If they are images then choose the ones that make you smile and ditch the rest. There are so many options these days for creating electronic memories. (Says she who has three large boxes filled with photo albums I labored hours over many years ago in another lifetime (and in a galaxy far far away…)– and no, de-clutterers everywhere – it will take me too long to scan and save – life is too short and should be enjoyed – they can stay in the boxes for now!)
Are you displaying your collections?
With the things you own you can create displays that showcase your interests and passions. Just make sure you keep them dusted and move them around every few months to create visual interest and keep the energy flowing.
One of my clients dedicated a whole room to his StarWars collection once the kids moved out – space ships hung from the ceiling and shelves carried models and action figures. It was a fun room to explore and made him happy.
We are all complex beings with many layers (think onions) – peel away one layer and you’ll reveal something more about yourself. Maybe even something you didn’t know about yourself – that’s why life is so exciting – you never stop learning. It’s nice to do some reflecting and learn more about yourself as well.
Where am I going with all this? I guess I’m just saying for now that it’s ok to keep some things – it’s that old adage by William Morris –
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
William Morris
De-clutter away the trivial and items or paperwork that is no longer needed but keep out and enjoy the items that make your home uniquely yours.
