How to Create a Calm Home When You Feel Overwhelmed
Creating a calm home is something more people experience than many think. It is not necessarily about being messy. You can look at a room and see that there's nothing out of the ordinary (in terms of stuff), and still feel like you're stuck in a whirlwind of anxiety, distraction and exhaustion.
That's because creating a calm home isn't about what your space looks like, it is also about how it affects you. If your mind starts racing the second you walk into your home, you are not alone. One of the wonderful things about creating a calm home is that you don't need a full-on remodel, a perfect routine, or hours spent organizing to get started. Many times, a calm home will begin with a few simple adjustments that allow you to "breathe a little better".
Why Home Can Feel Like Another Source of Stress
Home is supposed to be a place where we find relief, however, for many women it can feel like an additional burden. Whether it's remembering to take care of a particular task, making decisions, or finding time to accomplish all of the other responsibilities, it seems like there is always something looming in the background. Even when you take a seat, your mind continues to wander about what needs to be done next.
While this type of stress and/or overwhelm is not solely caused by the amount of clutter, it is typically the result of both a mental and emotional load. When your brain is constantly working to manage the various needs of a household, even small tasks can start to weigh heavily upon you. Therefore, creating calm cannot simply be based on aesthetics.
Start Small. Don’t Try to Do Everything at Once.
Many people make the mistake of thinking they have to change everything at once. More often than not, that creates more stress, rather than more peace. A calm home is created gradually, through small and achievable decisions.
Instead of attempting to clean up the entire home, choose one small section of your home to clear first. Perhaps it is a bedside table, a kitchen counter, or a chair tucked into the corner of a room. Clean that one space and use it as a visual reminder that calm is possible, even though the rest of life is chaotic.
Small Wins Matter – They Help Reduce the Feeling of Chaos and Give Your Mind Somewhere to Rest.
Take a few moments to breathe. Sometimes the most calming thing you can do is not related to cleaning. You may want to spend some quiet time sipping a cup of tea, open a window for some fresh air, or take five minutes to sit in silence without checking your phone.
All of these brief moments of calm are important because the overwhelming feelings of chaos can accumulate in the nervous system as much as they can in the home. By giving yourself opportunities to slow down, you create a way to break the cycle of continuous doing. Calm is not only something you see; it is something you feel.
Good Enough Is, Well, Good Enough!
Your home doesn’t have to be spotless to be peaceful. What matters is that it supports you. That means releasing the need for unrealistic expectations and allowing your home to be lived in.
A pile of blankets on the couch, a basket of laundry that hasn’t been folded yet, or a bunch of toys scattered about that haven’t yet been picked up aren’t signs of failure. They are indicators that life is happening. In many cases, good enough is, well, good enough – particularly during times when your energy is limited.
Deciding to prioritize peace over perfection can significantly improve the atmosphere of your home more so than any high-priced organizational product.
Support Your Peace Every Day
The more consistent you are in developing gentle habits that support your peace, the less effort it takes to maintain it. For example, you may establish a habit of clearing one room for five minutes each evening, write down the top three things you plan to accomplish tomorrow, or determine which tasks you can safely ignore until later.
You also set boundaries. You don’t have to be responsible for carrying everything alone. You don’t have to answer every call to action immediately. Protecting your peace is a component of establishing a calm home.
Creating a calm home begins with giving yourself permission to slow down, to simplify, and to accept that you’re going to do things imperfectly. Peace is not going to appear when your home is flawless. It begins when you give yourself permission to feel calm in your home.
If you'd like more guidance on creating a calmer space, pick up my Ebook: How to Create a Calm Home in 30 Days