Love Yourself!

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I can’t help but think about all the ways we show our loved ones how much we care; we give gifts, make meals, leave little notes, etc. What do we do in order to show ourselves how much we care about, well…ourselves? Sure, we can exercise, eat healthy or go on a shopping spree, but have you ever thought about changing some things up around your home in order to promote a better you? Sometimes these changes can spill over and even promote better family living. No, I’m not talking about upgrading your home for a bigger and better new one, I’m talking about some easy changes that everyone is capable of doing no matter the budget you’re working with.

I firmly believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. Keeping that sentiment in mind, it’s important to surround yourself with the appropriate tools in order to help you reach your goals, including the appropriate space to do these things in. It’s amazing what can happen to your state of mind when your interior space is organized and ready for action!

We’ll start with my favorite room, the kitchen! I’ve seen it time and time again; the kitchen being used as a storage hub for shoes, coats, backpacks, a weeks worth of mail, a months worth of kids homework, etc. Basically, the kitchen is becoming more and more like a storage locker instead of a wonderful work space where you can create a masterpiece on a plate! Just as nobody likes to do their business in a cluttered, overloaded space, the same concept goes for a kitchen. It’s no wonder that more and more families are eating out or look for the quick and easy meals. Clear those counters and replenish your kitchen with tools that make you want to be there! Maybe that means instead of a pile of mail, you pull out that butcher block cutting board? Try displaying your salt and pepper in a salt cellar and pepper mill; surround yourself with the tools of a chef, watch how your mind adapts and you actually want to try cooking meals that a five star chef could do.

- stock your kitchen with fresh herbs and great tools - 

Do you wish that your family or significant other would spend more time just talking with you? With the advances in technology, our idea of ‘family time’ can mean being together without actually speaking and getting to know one another; for example, being in the same room as your family while everyone is on a different electronic device does not easily allow you to interact in a way that furthers your relationships. Watching a movie or TV together doesn't exactly allow you to hear about the other person’s day. There’s a simple solution to this; remove that television from the living room. No, don’t remove it from the house, only the living room. A TV is great for a finished basement, a den, or a room specifically dedicated to movies and such. I can almost guarantee that if you find yourself in the living room, with some ambient lighting, taking some time to read a book or just relax, the other members of your family will slowly find their way into the space as well, if only out of curiosity to see what you could be possibly be doing in there without a TV.

- make the living room cozy and welcoming -

This leads me into the next space, the bedroom. Wishing for more intimacy or just the power to have a good nights rest? If so, I’m going to guess that you have some more electronic gadgets surrounding you; perhaps a TV, a laptop, a tablet or a cell phone? When you remove these devices of entertainment, you’ll be amazed to find that the only source of entertainment you have left is the person lying next to you – you’re almost forced to talk to one another! Just looking for a little extra shut eye? Well, exposure to the light that those electronic gadgets give off can cause a significant reduction in melanin levels. Melatonin regulates our internal clocks and plays a huge role in our sleep cycle. Not to mention, reduced melanin levels can play a part in obesity, diabetes and it can give you those dreaded dark circles. Get rid of the gadgets, place a book and some candles on your night stand, and enjoy the company of those around you!

- a bedroom ready to relax in -

Lastly, we have the bathroom, another very important room when it comes to improving your life. While it may be easy and functional to have all of the products you use lined up on your counter, does it really make you want to use them? Are you more apt to have a nightly regiment for better skin care if there are more products on your counters than in your cupboards? Probably not. Try organizing all of your products into bins that make sense – medications, skin care, daily used products, etc. Keep the counter clean except for those clear jars filled with cotton balls and cotton swabs. You’ll find that when your bathroom resembles more of a spa than an assembly line, you’ll want to take better care of yourself while you’re in there.

- make mundane activities glamorous -

Take these ideas and use the concept of designing your rooms accordingly in order to get the functions that you want out of your space. Let your home promote a better you!