Now, we begin with the first of the exciting series for all you O50s (over 50) asking, can you hear your home?
I have learned over the years of designing, writing, and speaking that most people do not realize the exponential power of their home’s space to impact their life. Regardless of whether if this is a positive or negative impact, your home is certainly talking to you in countless ways.
You see, no space is ever benign in its message, but the point of this post is to ask you my dear friends, are you listening? When you enter your home from your garage or wherever, is there a welcome relief and familiar sense of security and warmth like putting on your favorite comfy clothes to simply call it a day?
My reasoning for starting this post with what greets you when you return home is if you are like most people, your mind is still running on full tilt: What is for dinner? How much time is there to do all the things that need to be done? Who is going where and when? So, I repeat, you experience an unconscious response of either stress or calmness by what visually greets you upon your returning home.
DESIGN CHANGES LIVES
Imagine returning home to peace and order with an uncluttered counter for your purse, laptop, or mail while your mind settles in for what is next for you to do. There could be soothing but sufficient lighting, an interesting patterned runner, walls of your favorite color, fun posters or artwork that could silently greet you even if you are not listening, your unconscious definitely is. Yes, these design upgrades are game changers resulting in more than just another pretty space. These calculated changes have a positive message from your home spaces which then affects your moods, your energy, but most importantly, it lowers your stress.
These same principles of listening to your home’s messages applies to every room of your home.
However, maybe this is also true for you but sadly it is fairly common for the master bedroom to be one of the last rooms to receive an upgrade. But isn’t sleep one of your basic needs for every aspect of your wellbeing?
Being a strong advocate for sanctuary spaces, the bedroom should give exactly this sense of serenity for restoring your stresses of the day with a good night’s sleep. And yet, tons of bedrooms are super cluttered, have depressing lighting, mismatched furniture, or just lacking in any effort to make it a coveted, sought after R&R space.
From my book, (ordering info at end of post) chapter 6, “Does Your Home Have A Soul”? you can read more valid information on why and how listening to your home can indeed have a beautiful impact on not only your own quality of life, but also for all those fortunate folks in your circle of friendships or family who visit or live in your home.
Your biggest investment of time and money is in your living spaces whether this may be a home, condo, apartment, or downsized home like it is for me and BobBob. Why would you not want to make it all that it can be for your needed and deserved down time? This principle applies to all ages whether in grade school or 4th quarter like we are. Remember always that stress is a killer. Why would you basically ignore this medical research regarding stress and not do all that you possibly can to make your home your sanctuary oasis to fight your stresses?
Yes my dear O50s, this is not merely a feel good warm fuzzy post on interior design. I take your health and wellness very seriously because this is a huge part of my Design Smarts philosophy. I am asking you to do a reality check on your home and honestly assess what you are hearing. If you choose to “listen louder” to your home’s silent but real message, then you will be ready to be equipped on how and what needs to be accomplished for you to reset and restore in your precious time spent in your home?
Stay tuned for my next post on easy and often inexpensive ways to make your home’s message be one of peace, beauty, and restoration.
Living and Loving life together,
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I love the message of this post, Mitzi, “Are You Listening To Your Home?” I am listening…and many days, I don’t get back the message I want…and my goal in 2020 is to fix that, completely.
Thanks for articulating something that is so important to our soul’s happiness. The importance of feeling welcomed and nurtured in our own homes.
I love how you describe Leslie ,our soul’s happiness being enhances by feeling welcome and nurtured in our own homes. As I previously commented to you, there is no doubt that you make the necessary changes that you so need, but even more so, desserve. After pouring out to so many of us, it is certainly obvious that you need your own place to be restored and refreshed. I look forward to your outcomes.
I am so glad the feeling I have when I walk in is I love being home! Great post.
Yes, Mary Ann, I am so happy for you that you receive this welcome home message! I so appreciate your commenting! xoxo Mitzi
What a timely post as we are finally decorating our new downsized condo after a year of living here. I had to wait that long to listen to what our new house wanted. It’s finally feeling like home but only because “I listened to it”.
Well said Linda! And I certainly am right there with you on listening what our new downsizied home was saying to us as we moved in to a brand new living arrangement. I am thrilled for you on getting the message of where you want to go with your new living spaces, especially doing the one room challenge again. You are so smart and at the same time so brave to do your own home that will be a continue source of pleasure and restoration for you. Plus, I am a huge fan of all you are doing. xoxo Mitzi
This really made me think. I take care of all my clients but my space is nowhere near wher I want it to be
Oh Lise, you are so typical of designers! It is kind of like the shoemakers kids have no shoes, right? But knowing how powerful our living spaces are to our own wellbeing, hopefully your on a path to make your own home as special as your clients! xoxo Mitzi
You are so right about this. There are days when I walk in and see “stuff” piled on the dining table and think “ugh” that needs to be taken care of too. Having everything decorated nicely and in its place is so important to me.
I hear you loud and clear Adrienne! What you said is spot on to our own peace of mind when the first thing we see is something that puts us on edge and steals our joy of being home. It really is amazing like you pointed out that a beautiful space can be so compromised by mail, cutter, or a ton of other distractions. Thank you for commenting!
This is a wonderful post Mitzi! I often will ask clients, once they move into a home, to give it some time before we start. Get to know the home, and yes – take time to listen!
I’ll be sharing this with a few clients who I think will really enjoy reading your message!
Very smart advice Sheri! Allowing your clients to not be in a rush just to get done to get done can often bring an entirely new vision for what and how they want to live in their new home. This very same thing happened to us as we or I 🙂 changed at least two spaces in our new downsizied home. I tried to do most of it long distance without living in our home to hear how this home would eventually meet our needs.I needed your advice!…:)
yes love this! The depth of this content is very special.
Shannon this may be a short comment from you but it says volumes to me! I appreciate more than you know your understanding of the deep message of this post and how our homes have a powerful influence on all of our lives. thank you so much for commenting!
I love that feeling when I come home and it feels cozy and welcoming. If it’s cluttered, which it is more than I’d like, it just reminds me that there’s work to do!
Well said Linda! This is exactly what most of us want and actually need when we return home to experience that warm fuzzy feeling versus something that triggers a negative oran unpleasant feeeling. Being your talented creative self, you visualize space perhaps even more than most loving a wonderful “composition” in your spaces. xoxo Mitzi
What a great way to put it, Mitzi! The idea of listening to what your home is saying…I have a wonderful sanctuary in my bedroom, and my living spaces make me feel welcomed and happy, but the first thing I see, the mudroom, definitely needs some attention again as it has turned into a dumping ground over the years – this post reminded me how important it is to address that, so thank you! Now, if only I could create more hours in the day…
Love your comment Janet! It is spot on to how most homes are finished today with little attention to where we come and go every day. You are among the normal who have done their major spaces neglecting their own visual needs upon returning home. If I had to guess, I would say that well over 75% of homes have a mudroom or laundry just like yours. I am very grateful that my post “hit home” for you. xoxo Mitzi
And if you figure out how to add more hours in a day, would you let me know 🙂
Love your comment Janet! It is spot on to how most homes are finished today with little attention to where we come and go every day. You are among the normal who have done their major spaces neglecting their own visual needs upon returning home. If I had to guess, I would say that well over 75% of homes have a mudroom or laundry just like yours. I am very grateful that my post “hit home” for you. xoxo Mitzi
And if you figure out how to add more hours in a day, would you let me know 🙂
Love this! And it’s something I’ve never really considered before. Some really great points here! The rooms are lovely and really do convey the message you are trying to send
Thanks for your comment Theresa! I always love it when my pots are understood and appreciatred. xoxo Mitzi
What a great message and I absolutely love your designs. Going to follow you now.
Delighted to have found you through this community.
Dear Hilda, thank you for commenting with your positivity that lifts my spirits. As you know, it means so much when our message gets through.
I will be checking in on you too ?
Love that you articulated exactly how I feel about homes. I’ve recently sold the “ house that hugged me every time I walked in the door” and I need to start listening to my new rental. Thanks, I know I’m going to enjoy these posts.
Love this post Mitzi! We’ve recently gone through a whole house remodel….down to the studs and I still don’t have it decorated the way I want. The first thing I bought was a sign that says “relax” that we see as soon as we enter. That’s the feeling I’m trying to create. My home is my sanctuary and want all who enter to feel they can leave their worries at the door.
thank you Melanie! wow, you certainly did do a major rmodel which motivates you even more to get it right on the message or the impression that your home to convey. Wise woman you are to have a sanctuary vibe your highest goal because beautiful is great but experiencing peace, joy, and restoration in our homes is the ultimate.
Yes….I love that!