Are You a Homebody? 6 Ways to Enhance Your Sacred Space.
It’s where the heart is.
2020 was a strange time for all of us. Aside from the obvious horror of the pandemic, lockdown had us all feeling frightened, stressed, and strange. But we also collectively experienced a lot of self-reflection and introspection. Not only cast towards ourselves, but at the spaces we inhabited.
Photo by Kate Darmody on Unsplash
For most, lockdown was their first experience with being a homebody. The adjustment wasn’t too lifechanging for a veteran introvert like myself. I love being home. It’s my sanctuary, my temple. Home is not only where my heart is, but where my sweatpants are; my cats, my snacks, my couch, my stuff. Maybe you found yourself enjoying your time spent inside but wondering if you couldn’t make it a little more cozy? Wishing your space was a little more inviting, a little more like home? If so, I recommend any and all of these tips to turn your mundane space into a living, breathing, comfy, heavenly retreat that you’ll never want to leave.
Embrace what you love…let go of what you don’t.
By now, most of us have become familiar with Marie Kondo, the organizational vixen that took the world by storm with her 2014 book, The life-changing Magic of Tidying up. Some may not have learned of her methods until her Netflix series popped up in 2019, or, if you’re like me, you first heard her referenced in the Gilmore Girls revival in 2016. Kondo’s miraculous KonMari methods were inspired in part by the popular Japanese feng shui movement of her youth and the Shinto religion. The key tenets of Shintoism urge the consideration of the right way to live, placing importance on the energy and divine spirit found in objects and in nature.
Marie Kondo, konmari.com
With this in mind, Kondo’s focus lies not in throwing things away arbitrarily, but in keeping what brings you the most love and happiness, what “sparks joy.” The phrase has almost surpassed Kondo herself in popularity and in practice, and for good reason. It’s catchy and perfectly on point. Think of the objects and furniture in your home right now and have an honest conversation with yourself about how they make you feel. It’s okay to keep things and be surrounded by stuff as long as it’s making you happy. But remember, as soon as you begin to feel overwhelmed by your possessions, discernment is your best friend.
It’s important to throw things away that no longer serve you; some stuff is just trash and that’s all there is to it. But consider this: that shabby old dresser may not spark joy inside of you, but it could for someone else. Just because it’s a little rough around the edges doesn’t mean it’s lost its natural energy or divine spirit. I like to apply this principle to things that I love all the time. Yes, it might spark joy and it might elicit wonderful memories, but what good is it if I keep it in a box and never use it? Especially when it could be bringing active joy to another person right now. Take the time to donate or sell.
2. Messy space, messy mind.
I learned this phrase from my husband who worked as a professional chef for many years. I love it because it isn’t exclusive to kitchen prep stations, it’s relevant anywhere. Minimalist decor and design is trending at an all-time high right now, especially for Millenials. And honestly, can you blame us? Personally, I blame the capitalist excess of the Nineties and the ubiquitous Computer Table that everyone’s home had. You know the one: everything was beige and covered with mail and magazines and printer paper and floppy discs and nail polish bottles and homework and sticky notes. And somewhere under that pile the cordless phone was lost and ringing and ringing, and nobody thought to check underneath that pile at all because we’re all still used to the phone being attached to the wall.
Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash
Now if that trip down memory-lane was at all anxiety-inducing, you might be a Minimalist Millennial. With everyday life often giving us that same nail-biting sense of ick, it’s no wonder so many of us crave clear, open spaces (and cell phones forever on vibrate). Organization is essential to any sacred space.
And if you’ve jumped on the Marie Kondo KonMari train, then you’re already halfway there. Invest in good quality, organizational essentials like drawer dividers, storage totes, and fashion-meets-function baskets that keep everything in its place. The less time you spend looking for that thing you literally just saw, the more time you have to enjoy the space you’re in with less to overwhelm you and more room to breathe.
3. Keep it cozy.
Broken record alert: you can’t deny the power of the classics. I’m talking pillows, rugs, curtains, lamps, oh yeah. Perhaps this is just another personal declaration of how much I love stuff, but what can I say? I’m a homebody. Cozying up any joint really is as simple as adding a few tried and true accent pieces. Usually, the more superfluous the better. Throw pillows are a great example. Are they functional or necessary? Not normally. But they’re cute and fluffy, and nice to hug and squeeze. Curtains keep your windows from looking naked, and a nice rug can really tie the room together. This is all super basic stuff that we all know by now.
It seems that, as a society, we’ve decided that decor is allowed to be a lot more fun and a lot less stuffy than it used to be. Rugs can be furry! Wall art can be just a framed poster of a swear word! Co-op organizations like society6 supports artists by turning their work into classic decor pieces like clocks, mirrors, rugs, shower curtains–you name it. And voila! whimsical conversation pieces unique to you and your home’s personality.
Brynn Table Lamp, West Elm, $199
And finally: Lamps. Lamps are better than overhead lighting. They just are. Besides your kitchen, overhead lighting is for cleaning and for finding lost things only. That’s it, that’s all I have to say about that.
4. Two words: blankies and books.
Blankets possess a particular kind of magic. Think of your childhood security blanket: a soft yet impossibly protective force-field of comfort. I don’t think that sense of safety goes away when you grow up. The key difference is the adult money you can spend to optimize your coziness. There’s nothing like wrapping yourself up in something that feels luxurious and expensive. I have to admit, it’s hard to put a budget on comfort. If you can’t be comfortable inside your own home then something is wrong. They’re also a visual delight of texture and warmth.
Photo by Jordan Bigelow on Unsplash
I love cocooning myself up in a blanket, especially in the winter, tucking myself in so absolutely no cold air can get in. But oh, how difficult this can be once you add a couch partner, some kids, and a couple of cats into the mix–everybody wants under that thing. One of the best gifts I ever received was a Big Blanket. At first I thought, “it’s really big and that’s nice, I guess,” but it quickly turned out to be the gift I never knew I needed. Now, everybody can get under that thing.
Maybe it’s just me, but I believe few things bring greater comfort than a blanket and a book. Books are the snuggly blankie’s natural partner. If Millennial Minimalism isn’t for you and you enjoy a space full of trinkets and treasures, then books are the way to go. Books are essential for filling up spaces and gaps in your home. You don’t even have to be a reader. Old hardcovers and paperbacks from flea markets and secondhand stores can fill your space on the cheap.
Did you know luxury books are a thing?
Photo by Nick Hillier on Unsplash
The affluent culture brand Assouline proves the Coffee Table Book is not dead. Brand new large scale books can be expensive, but are so worth the investment, especially if you have kids or are prone to entertaining. They’re pieces of art you can engage with and learn from, giving your guests and family something new to talk about besides the news and the weather. And again, secondhand books come in handy here as well. Just make sure to keep them nice and clean and dust-free. No one wants to get grubby, dust-fingers while trying to enjoy vintage photographs of National Parks. Which brings me to my next tip…
5. Keeping it clean… and green.
You’ve heard the saying “your body is a temple,” but has it ever occurred to you that so is your home? Especially for a homebody, your living space is a literal temple, and it should be treated that way. It’s super easy to let cleaning go by the wayside in our go-go-go lifestyles, so I like to think that putting thought into your supplies picks up some of that slack.
Companies like Grove Collaborative really made this transition easy for me, especially during the pandemic. It’s a subscription service that delivers all your health, beauty, and cleaning essentials right to your door as often as you like, and includes popular green brands like Mrs. Meyers and Seventh Generation. Their VIP membership program comes with a yearly fee, but includes free shipping on orders over $45, discounted prices, exclusive products, and special edition seasonal scents. I also love how it automatically drops past purchases into your cart because it reminds me home often you really do need to replace your sponges, shower loofahs, and toilet brush heads.
Grove Collaborative
6. Talk to your home.
You read that right. There have been many studies over the years claiming that talking to plants or playing certain types of music can help make them grow faster. In fact, this theory has been tested since 1848. And in 2009, the Royal Horticultural Society actually proved it. The space in which you live is really no different from plants. It’s a spiritual entity that responds to vibrations.
Sounding a little too woo-woo? Maybe so. The rising popularity of metaphysical study and practice may seem like just another trend, but it’s one that intends to stick around. After all, it’s existed for centuries already. The magic of social media has simply given it a boost. Architectural Digest–a respectable publication established in 1920–recently published an article on their offshoot Clever, that shared tips provided by Witchtok creators on how to commune with your home.
Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash
When making decorative decisions, Yadira Roman recommends letting “your home’s spirit guide you.” Have you ever put your unique stamp on a new place and felt that some things just felt off? Honoring the space’s personality is just as important as your own. Roman describes the practice of asking your home’s spirit to step outside of your own, and back in again. This process allows you to feel the difference between where your spirit ends and your home’s begins, thus creating an awareness of the different energies and personalities at play. Next thing you know, furniture and décor pieces will be screaming at you to take them home and you’ll agree with ease.
Say “Thank You.”
A simpler approach is to say “thank you,” out loud, as often as you can. Thank your home for being the cozy, relaxing retreat that brings you comfort, safety, and joy each day. It’ll appreciate it.
Caring for your home is just another extension of self-care. You should care for your body because you walk around in it every day and it’s the only one you have. For a homebody, your living space is the same; it’s where you relax, where you sleep, where you’re allowed to be your softest, most vulnerable self. Think of yourself inhabiting your home the same way your soul inhabits your body: it might be a constant cycle of work, care and worship, but man, is it worth it.
