Home makeover shows capture our attention for many reasons, but at the heart of it, we all want to feel like we have a strong home base. Our spaces might not be mirror images of consumer-driven Pinterest boards, but it’s essential that they feel like us. When we tap into our five senses, our home spaces should meet our needs and soothe our nervous systems in every category. That is to say, it should look, feel, smell, taste, and sound like safety, warmth, and connection to our truest sense of self.

We are living beings wired to interact with the stimuli around us. Similarly to how we can co-regulate our nervous system with the people around us, we can also rely on stimuli from the place we inhabit. The more we can practice feeling a sense of inner peace by regulating with a comforting environment, the better equipped we will be to feel at home when we are put in more challenging spaces.

Whether it be due to a breakup or a regular old pandemic, the importance of your home has most likely increased substantially this year. I invite you to check in with how you’re feeling in your home environment. What’s in a home for you? Set a timer for 5 minutes and free-write about the meaning of home for you. 

Gratitude is one of the most grounding tools we can pull from — especially when we’re coping with disappointment.  I know I have disappointments about how this year has looked and how the upcoming holidays will be spent (at home). Can I ask you to step into gratitude for a moment, knowing you can return back to sadness and disappointment in a few minutes? Set a timer for 5 minutes and list reasons why you are grateful for your home. 

Lastly, let’s dream. Imagine yourself as a houseplant or flower, and know that you’re similarly able to unapologetically ask for what you need to thrive! What would you wish for from a home space that you aren’t currently getting? If you’re struggling with feeling unrest in your home, sick of your home, or unhappy with your living circumstances, remember that things can change. Set a timer for 5 minutes and describe your dream living space- and how you would feel to be there. 

Are there any small changes you can make this week that can shift your current home space more towards your ideal? For example, a smaller purchase like a soothing candle or sticky notes with affirming messages placed strategically throughout your space. What can you dream for yourself that could shift in your relationship to feeling at home in your body, relationships, and daily rituals?

As we enter what’s largely considered to be the holiday season here in the United States, I wish a safe, healthy, and nurturing home for you. If you need more support, you know where to find me. 

Warmly, 

Amalia