Are you feeling all the cozy right now too friend?
It’s November. I have some non toxic beeswax candles lit, the wood burning stove going and a hot cup of milk thistle tea by my side.
To be honest, I have been decluttering quite a bit lately in my home, and it feels SO good. Something about winter, going into hibernation mode…it helps us connect and flourish not in our home’s outer space, but our body’s inner space as well.
In my experience with clients, their home space makes a BIG difference in how they are feeling every day. If it feels cluttered and chaotic, it affects their energy. If it feels soothing in warm, they feel comforted. Some grew up in chaotic homes and this plays out into patterns the see in their own homes and their response to stress.
It all makes sense. A lot of how we interpret our home space has to do with the home space we grew up with and what felt comforting – and what didn’t.
Think about it (and do this exercise!):
What are the most anchoring and peaceful areas of your home? What do you love about it? Connect with your senses here. What cues does the room give you as to why it feels more peaceful? What spaces in your home bring up more when it comes to anxiousness? Chaos? Frenzy? Why does that happen? What conditions influence that?
Our body’s neuroception is constantly scanning our environment for what feels safe and what feels like a threat. This is such a helpful tool, because it allows us to learn more about ourselves, our body, our nervous system and what anchors it. A neuroception of safety calms, connects and dampens any need for protection. It is a deeply subcorticol experience that happens below the realm of conscious thought and outside of awareness. Lonnnggg before any information about your environment reaches the brain to form a thought, biology has taken action, including the heart’s engaged work as a quantum sensor, scanning your environment (more specifically the energy of it!).
Which brings me back to creating a nourishing space in your home. I want to share three quick tips with you today that have helped many of my clients see a huge difference in connecting and deepening their ventral vagus pathway of their autonomic nervous system in connection with their environment (short version – this is a GOOD thing!)
- Decluttering. Seems simple but truly decluttering is all about no longer letting your energy be leaking in so many places, and allowing yourself to bring more energy inward. Start with one room at a time and 5-4-3-2-1 it, letting your gut and intuition drive the decision making. I strongly encourage this practice during the fall and winter months especially, when internally and energetically, our body is in a season of letting go and releasing (associated with the large intestines). What room can you start decluttering with? Make a plan and allow time as you move through your space.
- Connect with your creativity in a space. How can your space feel more like “home” and more nurturing? This may mean you paint some cabinets a new color, add a few plants, or maybe add some art or some blankets. Whatever allows you to feel more hygge, which is the Danish word that refers to cozy and comfortable surroundings that create a sense of contentment and overall well-being. Hygge decor is less about adding any clutter, but instead appreciating select pieces that you already own.
- Find flow in your envrionment and connect with “feng shui”. Feng shui is the practice of arranging pieces in living spaces to create balance with the natural world. The goal is to harness energy forces and establish harmony between an individual and their environment. A couple basic feng shui tips to nourish your space include decluttering (excessive clutter blocks chi) and to keep traffic open. Passageways like doors and halls should be kept open and clear. Another simple way to feng shui is adding more plants to your space, especially ones with rounder and softer leaves, which nourish personal energy. You can learn more on how to feng shui environment here.
No matter whether you use tips or others, creating a more nuturing space can absolutely change the way you show up, your ability to rest, and your ability to expand and feel motivated. If you have other tips that have helped you create this for your space, please share below!
