A Peaceful Environment

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

Times of change are often accompanied by a changing or chaotic environment. If things are changing around us - jobs, moves, schools, friendships, and so many others - there are usually visible or physical signs of the changes around us. Coping well might mean managing our environment, or it might mean coping with the environment itself.

It's no secret that our environment affects our health, moods, and productivity. Even if you don't have a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder, you might notice that you tend to feel a little down or less alert and energetic on gloomy days or during the coldest parts of winter. The longer, warmer days of spring and the sight of greening plants makes most of us feel more optimistic and cheerful.

We can't control the weather or climate, but we do have control over our homes and workspaces. What if we could make changes to those environments that would help us feel more peaceful or energetic? 

A few years ago we all heard about tidying up Marie Kondo style, and were encouraged to bring peace and harmony to our homes by getting rid of all the things that didn't "spark joy". Many felt that this was a bit extreme (I read and reviewed the book here: Recent Reads - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up), but one thing I learned and agreed with was this: having a clean and clutter-free environment did help me feel more calm! This leads me to wonder why I'm still having trouble getting rid of all the clutter in my home!

Here are some things I've been (slowly) working towards in changing my environment:

 Make rooms functional.

It's easier to get stuff done - whether in the kitchen or at my desk - when everything I need for the job is handy and in a place that makes sense. I've been in the process of moving my "office" into the basement room, but I don't want to put everything down there until the floors have been done. So in the meantime I've had to make frustrating extra trips up and down the stairs because the books or files I need are not all in one place. That's a change in process, and I know when that change is completed I will be so happy!

Make rooms beautiful.

If I had the funds and the time, or if I had some magical powers, I would just transform each room instantly into what I picture in my head. That would be nice, but honestly, I could start by just keeping things clean. Cleaner than what I usually do, anyway. I know from experience that when I walk into the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee and the table and counters are clear, my day is off to a good start. And yet I don't bother putting everything away after dinner, and leave clutter on the counter. Why, when I know better? There is a sense of satisfaction to having a crisply made bed, a tidy desk (I sort of remember that feeling), a freshly mopped floor, a beautifully set table. 

Beyond keeping things tidied up, we have the ability to appreciate beauty and to be inspired by beautiful things. For a couple of years now, I have made a point of having fresh flowers of some kind on my dining room sideboard. I usually watch for the simple fresh flower bouquets to go on sale, and for a couple of dollars I can have a pop of color and life in my dining room that makes me smile every time I look at it. Worth it. Family photos, artwork, mementos, or whatever makes you smile - that will help bring peace and beauty to your surroundings.

Take care of the environment.

I'm not one to get all emotional about environmental causes, but I believe we have been given a responsibility to steward the earth and the resources in it. Let's clean up after ourselves, not just in our homes, but outside as well. Some practical efforts to look after the natural world and manage resources will help ensure that there's beauty and resources for us to enjoy for generations to come. 

Include time outside to recharge and settle your soul during times of stress and change. Whether that's hiking, surfing, laying on a beach, running, or just sitting on the porch watching the sunset or the snow. 

For the recent Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge, I had decided to explore the theme of living well and with purpose during times of change. A few years ago, as I neared the end of my years as a homeschool mom, I realized my world would change when my youngest graduated. My roles in the homeschool community and in my social circles were affected. Things changed in the workplace. Things are ever changing at church. And as my children grew up and the nest has begun to empty, family dynamics are changing. To our surprise, my husband's job ended at the very beginning of 2022, which brought another round of changes to consider! (He started a new position in February, and moving was a change we did not have to deal with after all!) I know very well that writing about coping with change is not the same as having all the answers. I'll do my best to share what I'm learning and experiencing, and I'd love to hear from others in the comments. For a bunch of little reasons, I didn't finish writing and posting the last week or so of this series, so these last few are being published after the challenge period ended.

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2022 challenge here: 28 Days of Coping With Change

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2022 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.