Here we are. Its now 2018 and that ‘life reset’ buzz is as loud as ever.  I personally love it and for this reason, my blog series this month will be on the role your home plays in your well being, how to hit the home reset button and create a soulful, inspired home space.

Our homes are a reflection of our lives, mirroring our internal world.  A cluttered spirit, is more often than not, a cluttered home, and vice versa. On the other hand, an uncluttered, well-organized home can support and nurture the spirit, and consequently, our lives.  It is therefore essential to bring harmony into our home space.  And there is no better place to start than in the process of decluttering.

Our Evolving Lives…

Over time, our lives evolve or change, and we accumulate things. More often than not, we hold onto them longer than we need, and instead of supporting our lifestyle, they become- well – clutter! We accumulate more and more and we find ourselves in a home that no longer reflects who we are.  We cease to feel inspired by our own home surroundings.

Making Space for the New…

One of the reasons people collect so much ‘stuff’ throughout their lives is that they simply fear regret. They worry they may need it ‘someday.’ And over the years, that can be a lot of stuff.  But after a while, it just all gets out of synch, and that is when you’re ready to do something about it! You want to get back to a home that feels good and inspiring to dwell in. What to do! Well, the first step is to get clear and declutter.  

So for instance, this is the “before shot” of a home of a client who had been busy raising children and running a non-for-profit and having a marriage and all that.  She, like many soon-to-be empty nesters, wanted to “take her house back”

If you have been living a certain kind of life, in a certain place, for a long time, then the first thing you need to do before you can even imagine what to do next, is to create a space, a little opening, in your home space, for something different. The way to do that is to take inventory and to declutter. When you do that, then you figure out what goes and what stays, and from there, there is a “space” to work with.

Getting Clear…

This is the EXACT SAME SOFA, for the EXACT SAME FAMILY in a totally different home, in their next phase of life – “empty nesters”.  And they are LOVING their new home and their new life!  The first thing we did was to go through everything they owned, and my client held each piece of furniture in her mind, and asked herself (to paraphrase a famous book!), “Does this give me joy?”  

Getting clear is about self-reflection and realization. It’s a time to really assess, or deepen your connection with, your design soul-style. If you are not aware of what this is for you, I recommend downloading my complimentary ‘design style compass‘

Decluttering…

It starts with tidying up, followed by a home walk-through process. Here you hold each element in your mind along with the following inquiry, “Does this make me happy?”  If the response you feel is a ‘no’ or just neutral, then it goes into the Goodwill box. This process is about surrounding yourself with what feels uplifting and energizing while bringing you peace. Soon, it becomes liberating and easier to do… And you gather steam.

The decluttering process is one I’ve been intuitively guiding my clients through for many years. Of course, it doesn’t just stop there. There is a hole that opens up, whether it’s a room to redo, or a whole new house! How to imagine your new life in this new space is the next step – and that is the topic of our next blog post “Taking Time to Dream!” This particular process is one my clients express as being “very transformative” and one I believe will bring you tremendous value.

Finally, I can’t close this blog without mentioning the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing‘ by Marie Kondo. I highly recommend picking up a copy.