Happy April!
Spring is the season of renewal, seemingly engineered to increase well being and optimize energy flow. As we allow this beautiful, replenishing force to wash over us, it is time to refresh and start anew. But as we feel the familiar urge to update, clean, and organize, let’s do so with intention, moving in unison toward happiness that starts at home.
In springtime, we tend to get excited about lifting the energy in our homes, and we often do this by hurriedly purchasing bright accessories to elevate the mood. We shop without planning, and typically end up with a mishmash of bright, colorful things that don’t necessarily work together. As we welcome Spring 2019, I suggest doing the opposite. Instead of buying more, let’s commit to doing more with less. Here are some tips. First, clear the clutter and put away any heavy blankets or throws that weigh the room down. Then, if you wish to purchase items, opt to leverage the wisdom of biophilia, and buy plants, which help blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces.
As you work to lift the natural energy in your home, it is time to give your outdoor space a boost, making it easy to put it to good use. In 2019, we are seeing a surge in outdoor furniture companies beginning to embrace sustainability, which is exciting. This means we now have a wide-range of furniture and accessories to choose from that continue to support our journey toward wellness. If you are looking to upgrade your furniture, YardBird is a current sustainable favorite—all of their pieces are 100% recyclable. Their Elliot Collection is perfect for a large area whereas Eden includes more options for smaller spaces. Once you’ve selected furniture, choose bold potted plants that can be transferred into planters, like clay or stone options from Perigold. Finally, choose a conversation piece. One-of-a-kind statues and sculptures from The Opiary promise to add a modern, luxurious feel to any outdoor space.
Back inside, commit yourself to working with natural light, tossing heavy, light-blocking curtains, and instead opting for breezy, gauzy swathes. With an increase in sunlight comes an increase in the body’s natural production of vitamin D, which is a natural mood booster and a driver of efficiency.
As the mood in your home lifts and your energy increases, you’ll certainly be motivated to clean and organize. Although we love Marie Kondo for all things organization, from a holistic perspective, this spring, we want you to focus on your walls. First, in your living space, look at how your wall space is used and ask whether your art has been intentionally curated. If you do not feel an immediate connection with art or wall-hangings, remove them and plan to replace them with pieces that better align. Be especially picky in your kitchen. The refrigerator tends to collect appointment cards, reminders, and children’s art. Wipe the slate clean by placing art in a bespoke album or take pictures of pieces and recycle the art itself. Instead of leaving reminders tacked to the fridge, use your home’s smart hub, like Google Home or Alexa, to program reminders or to add notes to your to do list.
Not only can your home’s smart technology help keep you organized, it can help clear mental clutter. This Spring, try to reframe your thinking about smart technology. Instead of looking at these products as luxury items, try to view them as installations that will elevate your life. Sure, smart technology is luxurious, but also provides us with the ability to outsource our thinking about small, simple things. Smart shades are becoming widely available, now through retailers like Ikea, and they can be programmed to raise and lower themselves with the day’s changing light. A smart sprinkler, like the Rachio 3, works with your home’s smart hub and allows you to keep your grass and garden green without wasting a drop of water. Additionally, for an elegant upgrade, LG’s innovative offering, The Frame, allows you to hide your smart TV among works of art.
The energy that comes with spring is intoxicating. As we clean and update, we love to use this time to replenish our holistic healing toolkit. We charge crystals in pools of sunlight. We restock our essential oil shelves with lemongrass, tea tree, and eucalyptus. We open the windows, let air circulate, and allow mother earth to work her magic. As she does, we experience a rebirth, feeling refreshed and excited for what’s to come. We glow alongside the vivid blue sky, the vibrant green grass, and the exuberant rainbow of flowers. Together, let’s savour the Earth’s happy colors, allowing their powerful effects to wash over us, flooding our lives with pure joy.
