5 Tips For Creating A Soul-Nourishing Environment
“The power of being in a space that feels fully aligned with our soul is sorely underrated… I’m not just talking about clearing clutter or getting organized, although these are a huge part of the formula; I’m talking about recognizing the impact your home or office has on your emotional and physical health, your energy levels, your self-esteem, your relationship to yourself and others, and your spiritual well-being… I’ve seen this vital concept–the transformation of a person’s home or office–literally transform his or her life.”
Cheryl Richardson
You may already feel fulfilled in the environment you are currently living, but if there are areas that you would call less than “soul-nourishing,” then this post is for you.
Because, darling, you deserve the absolute best and that includes living and working in an environment that lights you up.
Many of us may have received different messaging from childhood, an abusive relationship, or other source of conditioning that’s told us on a subconscious level that we deserve only the bare minimum of function (whatever is cheapest and easiest) and are not worthy of receiving much more.
If that’s the case, I just want to say in case you need to hear it, that you deserve to be surrounded by beauty, not merely function.
There is a powerful and quiet revolution that takes place when you raise your standards above limiting conditioning and begin to declare and step into what you truly desire and deserve in life.
In the words of Alexander Den Heijer…
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
…and our environments are capable of nurturing and taking care of us rather than blocking our expansion.
In spite of any misinformation you may have received from the fears within yourself and others, you are someone who deserves being taken excellent care of. You are worth the time and effort it takes to create internal and external shifts necessary to cultivate an environment for yourself that is truly soul-nourishing.
Here are a few of my favorite tips to help you along your path…
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1. Decide how you want to feel in your space. You can take a moment to meditate on this and write out several words that capture the essence of how you want to feel (and how you want others to feel) in your home. For instance, I want to feel…
comfort, warmth, positivity, love, abundant minimalism, simplicity, calm, nature, immaculate, organization, beauty, ease, flow, yummy + intoxicating scents, fun + entertainment, room for deep connection, security, femininity, bohemian, chic, peaceful, zen, cozy, light, relief, blissful, welcomed, nurtured, taken care of, southern hospitality, safe, magical, and sexy.
Next, start to write down what would help you to feel that way. Maybe it’s simply letting go of certain items that make your space feel cluttered. Maybe it’s starting to think about upgrading items that have run their course or adding in new elements entirely.
2. Elevate beyond pure function. In her book, The Art of Extreme Self-Care, Cheryl Richardson writes…
“…beyond the point of functional was the experience of actually being fed by my environment…creating soul-loving spaces that filled me with joy, gave me energy, inspired my best work, and allowed me to express my creativity within a realm of peace and calm.”
Oftentimes our sense of worthiness and deservability can be reflected in our home environments. For instance, I once noticed that the “just okay, but functional” couch I was settling for was a reflection of a “just okay, but functional” relationship I was tolerating as well. Food for thought.
This process is about truly creating a sanctuary for yourself. Start to brainstorm and visualize what an elevated environment would look like and mean to you. This may require unpacking and challenging limiting beliefs around deserving to luxuriate yourself + rewiring your brain to know that self-care isn’t selfish. (If this is something that you struggle with, email me directly and I can help assist you further.)
3. Get creative with your current resources. It’s easy to fall into the pithole of thinking, “well if only I had X amount of money, I could finally invest in buying nicer things…” but this process does not need to require a huge budget. One of my favorite ways to personally feel nurtured in my home is to bring in nature like fresh flowers and house plants (I’ve even started getting into planting seeds + growing my own!). It is also amazing what a few mindfully selected candles can do for a space. I personally enjoy getting crafty as well – during the fall, one of my favorite things to do is collect pine cones from outside and spritz them with a homemade essential oil + cinnamon mixture to make them smell like Christmas. I also love building wooden tables and shelves for my home with wood from a local hardware store and a simple design (I can’t tell you how empowering this feels!). You can also make your own curtains or slipcovers with fabric and basic instructions online. I’ve also found that after a deep clearing process, when I’m deeply attuned with my intuition, I tend to attract the right new items into my home, sometimes through an unexpected gift, or stumbling across exactly what I’m desiring at a flea market or boutique for the perfect price. This usually happens only once I get clarity + specificity on my desires and specifically, how I want to feel when that item is in my home. (My other secret weapon is pinterest, which helps me to create a clear vision as well.)
4. Less is more. I’ve personally found a minimalist approach to design to be where I function at my optimum and feel the most clear-headed. It’s no surprise that excess clutter and disorganization can weigh us down and have damaging effects on our psyche. The clearing process can feel overwhelming at first, but it can help to start small, create a checklist of categories (purse/wallet, car, shoes, books, etc…), and take it one baby step at a time. There are some amazing books + resources out there to support this process, reach out if you would like me to point you in the right direction :). And remember the beauty and power of simply letting go of that which does not nourish your soul (pull those weeds and bloom!).
5. “Do your soul space at your soul pace.” In his book, SoulSpace, Xorin Balbes reminds us that, “it’s important to take your time and enjoy what you’re doing so there’s good energy that sticks to the room.” Energy is real, ya’ll, so take your time and enjoy the process! Be gentle with yourself. It doesn’t have to all get done in one hour or one day or one week or one month – this is a continual process that will gradually evolve over time.
I would love to hear from you! If you feel inspired to, leave a comment below and share a few words that capture the essence of how you want to feel in your space. And please share this with anyone who you think it might help!!
Lots of love,
Nicole
XOXO
