Take Your House from Mood-ish to a MOOD!

It’s no secret; I love my house! I mean LOVE LOVE my house! The pandemic hit right after we bought it, so it was right on time for getting acclimated to being in a bigger space & away from the city. It’s legit my sanctuary, so much so that I don’t like leaving the house often now. My home is definitely a major part of my self-care experience!

     Self-care for your home can elevate your moods majorly. People don’t really pay attention to things around their houses having an effect on their moods. How you organize your house, how you position the furniture, & what color scheme you pick all can take you from moody to a mood if you play your cards right. Let’s get into it…

Getting in Order

     First things first: your house has to be in order! There’s nothing inviting about a cluttered or dirty house. That’s not the vibe you need when you’re in a self-care mindset. You have to get rid of some things & polish others up. Follow these steps:

1. If it doesn’t bring value to your life, kick it to the curb! Go room for room & analyze everything in it. Do you use it regularly? Does it hold a special meaning? Will you need it in the future? Answer these questions & act accordingly: decide between keeping it or trashing it.

If you need ideas on what to get rid of, check this list:

• Flat & old pillows
• Candles that are almost gone
• Clothes & accessories you no longer wear or can’t fit (Donate them!)
• Food in the refrigerator & pantry you have no intention of eating (Donate non-perishables)
• Expired medicine & food
• Anything that’s broken or stained beyond repair, including dishes, towels, clothes, & furniture 
• Anything with missing pieces, such as games & toys 
• Empty gift cards
• Receipts, mail, & takeout menus you don’t need 

Once you sort your keepers, make sure everything has a place. Decluttering is key!

2. Get your Molly Maid on! After you’ve taken the time to take out the trash, you have to do a deep clean. Leave no spot untouched. Wipe down everything, wash your windows & curtains, & sweep, mop, & vacuum the floors. 

It can be a lot, especially if you don’t deep clean regularly, so feel free to hire a housekeeping service to tackle this task. Treating yourself is self-care too!

3. Let good energy in! Since you now have clean windows, which gives you a clear perception of the world, open them up. Let some fresh air in. Fresh air also releases negative energy & replaces it with positive energy. Light some lemon-scented candles too to promote positive vibes. 

     Cleaning is hard work, especially when you’re deep cleaning & trying to knock out several rooms. Pace yourself. Schedule a room or task per day to get together. Whether you follow steps 1-3 for 1 room at a time or do 1 step for all rooms, take breaks but stay on task. It’ll all be worth it when it’s done!

Feng Shui Your Space

     Feng Shui is a term many may have heard before but don’t know exactly what it is. It means arranging a room to create balance. When the furniture isn’t balanced, it may cause your life to feel unbalanced. Just think about how you feel when you walk into a room that has no order. Does it bring up negative feelings, like being overwhelmed or unimpressed? Those rooms need a little balance so you feel more comfortable. 

     You may not be certain whether your rooms create a feeling of balance, but rearranging them can give you a feeling of something new or being rejuvenated. It’s important to make sure several elements are included when arranging the room. Take these into account:

• The furniture is arranged to create an open feel. Make sure walkways are clear, the back of seats aren’t towards the entrance, & add some circular tables instead of square ones.
• Have a welcoming entrance. Make sure it’s well lit & clutter-free. Add some large mirrors & rugs to give it a larger & warmer feel, & cute storage containers can keep things you drop by the entrance organized.
• Place things to maximize natural light. Don’t block windows as much as possible. Light uplifts spirits, & God gives it to us free of charge!
• Add some live plants. Not only do they add color to the room, but they also make oxygen. You’ll feel more connected to nature.

     Now to promote positive energy, you’ve got to bring aspects of each of 5 elements into the space: earth, wood, fire, water, & metal. The five elements promote positive energy, exactly what the goal of self-care is. Follow me down this path:

• Earth elements promote strength & stability. They help a space feel grounded & balanced. Add this element to a room by adding decor with earth tones & that are made from natural things, such as pottery & crystals.
• Wood promotes creativity & growth. Include wooden furniture & decor & plants to include this element in your space.
• Fire promotes leadership & boldness, along with creativity, passion, success. Candles, triangles, & stars bring a touch of this element to a room. Also use fire colors to spice things up.
• Water promotes emotion & inspiration. To incorporate this element, use wavy or free-form decorations & mirrors. You can even add an aquarium or fountain.
• Metal promotes clarity, focus, order, & logic. Just add actual metal items or anything in gray tones to embody this.

     Incorporating these elements can sway your mood in the right direction just by spending some time in the room. The vibe you feel when you enter a room is way more important than how fashionable it is. Your home is your sanctuary, so treat it as such! 

     Just make sure you prioritize your Feng Shui in the 3 most important rooms: your kitchen, your bedroom, & living room. They should be the most relaxing, especially since you spend the majority of your time in them. Make sure your kitchen promotes a stress-free morning routine. Arrange the most important appliances you use in the morning in an area that is easily accessed, & have things like coffee, tea, & quick breakfast foods nearby. It makes the morning flow easier.

     Create a lounge area in your bedroom. Whether is fluffy pillows in a corner or a comfy chaise, you deserve an area to chill in & decompress…away from your bed. The lounge area is a great place to journal & meditate, & you can keep any negative energy off of your bed. 

     Speaking of which, find one (yes ONE) place to work in the house if you need to bring work home or you work remotely. How are you going to have a healthy work-life balance if you track it all through your home? Regardless of where you choose, by no means is that area to be the bedroom. Bedrooms are for relaxing & rejuvenating, so keep the potential stress out of there.

Colors Matter

     The colors you choose for your home are essential to promoting a positive mindset. We don’t think of how a color makes us feel, but each plays on your subconscious. Try to stick to color schemes that attract abundance & positive vibes. Here’s a little cheat sheet on what to use, depending on the vibe you’re looking for:

• White: peace & harmony
• Yellow & gold: money
• Red: love
• Purple: meditation & spirituality
• Green: anti-stress & positivity
• Blue: serenity

     Whether you put an accent wall in a room, paint all 4 walls, or throw in a pop of color with the 5 elements, make sure your home exudes good vibes. That way, you’ll be anxious to get back to your place of peace.

     Having a home is a luxury many people don’t think about. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to feel the comfort of having their own space. Regardless of the size, the neighborhood, or the value; whether you rent or own; & whether it’s facing a cement wall or an open sea, take pride in creating a place that promotes self-care. Make it a place you can’t wait to return to. I want to do some rearranging of my own, but I love my space & value knowing it brings me peace of mind! 

Follow these links for more ideas on updating your sanctuary: 

https://www.sheahomes.com/blog/10-tips-for-making-your-home-self-care-friendly/

https://www.sheahomes.com/blog/sh-feng-shui-tips-for-your-home/