We are moving on into February and last month for many, including myself, was all about the goal setting. Whether you have had four weeks of solid success and are mastering those new habits, or are still getting clear on what you want to work towards, becoming conscious of our space and how it can support us through these changes, can really set the tone for what’s to come.
Whatever the new goals, change can be challenging so just as important as the goal itself, is the support required to get there. This can look a variety of ways and it’s important to get clear on how we will support ourselves, and ask for support as we plan to make a shift.
One of the greatest supports we can rely on when making a change is our physical space. Regardless of the goal, there will be a space that supports it and by including that in our process, we can make huge strides and feel supported along the way.
Below are a few common new year goals and the corresponding spaces that support them. By being conscious of how our space impacts our well-being, we can begin to adjust the space, or ourselves, to ensure that it is aligned with our goals, not hindering our progress. Once I started to examine whether my space supported my goals or moved me away from them, I was thrilled with the small shifts I could make that ended up supporting me in a significant way.
My New Year Goal Is To…
Eat healthier. This goal obviously corresponds to our kitchen space. The heart of the home and the centre of most households. This is where we nourish ourselves and refuel and for a lot of us, this is done as quickly and efficiently as possible. But does the space support our goal of eating healthy? Is the space set up to support an organized and efficient lifestyle? If not, tackling some of the space issues within the kitchen creates room for new healthy foods and healthy habits.
Action: purge the fridge and pantry of any unhealthy or expired food creating space for new, healthy foods. Organize the cupboards and drawers to allow for easy and efficient meal preparation.
Get More Sleep. This goal corresponds to the bedroom. Of course, good quality sleep is a goal for all of us so what are we doing to achieve it? Is the bedroom full of clutter, laundry, or unnecessary stuff? Is it comfortable to be in or so out of sorts that you can’t wait to leave it? Part of obtaining restful sleep is creating a peaceful environment in which to fully relax and recharge. It can be challenging to do that if the monthly bills are piling up over on the dresser, or the laundry is toppling over next to the bed. Creating a relaxing and calm atmosphere for rest can dramatically improve the quality of our sleep.
Action: clear the clutter from the bedroom to create a calm, relaxing environment. Remove any stressors (bills, laundry, electronics) and anything unnecessary to sleep, and introduce things that are calming such as meditation music, candles or aromatherapy oils.
Better time management. This one applies to multiple spaces and may be different for everyone. Better managing our time, can really be about better managing our energy. If the spaces that we move through in a day (closet, bathroom, kitchen, office, car) are in disarray or out of sorts, it can be challenging to feel organized and on top of things. When our spaces are in order, things are organized to support us, our day moves much more efficiently. When we spend less time in unmanaged chaos (looking for car keys, scrambling to buy lunch), we can save small amounts of it throughout the day which can end up equaling a lot.
Action: organize the spaces you spend the most time in and create the most frustration (or expended energy), to support your day to day functioning. Sort the car, organize the tupperware cupboard, pack the gym bag, buy a fridge calendar (fill out the fridge calendar!), anything that will allow you to move through your day with more ease and grace. This may seem small and insignificant but a little can go a long way!
Prioritize self-care. For me, just being conscious of our space is considered self-care. Anything that we can do to become more aware of who we are and how we function in the world is an incredibly loving act. Putting ourselves first is not selfish and learning how to care for ourselves is such a gift. Whether it’s a hot bath at the end of the night, or a solo coffee date Saturday morning, finding ways to pour into ourselves is necessary. The hard work here is finding what fills your soul, then it’s all about finding the space that supports it. There is unlimited support through our spaces here whether we crave the natural healing of nature, gardens, the ocean, or intentional places of serenity and peace like yoga studios, meditation circles and the spa. Using the spaces available to us, even our own bathrooms, to fill us up is all about aligning with what makes us feel full.
Action: clean the bathtub and buy some amazing bath oils. Upgrade the bedsheets. Replace butter with coconut oil. Talk a walk. Go to yoga. Buy some fresh flowers. Clear the clutter. Dust off the weights. Make a face mask from ingredients in the fridge. Rest. Breathe.
There is infinite support in our physical surroundings and our spaces can be beautiful platforms for change. Taking care of these spaces, taking care of our planet and taking care of those we love who roam amongst them. That for me, is the biggest goal of all.
Wishing you much success with your new year goals, may your spaces support your shifts.
Live well,
Cher
