Home as Nourishment
Nourishment is defined as “the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition,” (Lexicon.com). With many of us spending the majority of our waking hours in our homes, it’s more important than ever for our dwelling to provide nourishment that not only sustains us but helps us flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Our home is far more than shelter. Beyond a place to sleep, our home may serve many roles: workspace, 24/7 restaurant, classroom, health club (yoga studio, Pilates center, gym), movie theatre and retreat center, just to name a few. It’s a lot to ask of one space, but no matter what size home you live in, you can create an environment that supports you and all your aspirations.
Send gratitude to your home
First, let’s be grateful we have a roof over our heads. Due to circumstance beyond their control, many in the last year have lost their home. Think about the ways your home supports you. It’s time to express gratitude for our living spaces. Send love and appreciation to your home for all it does for you. And remember how hard it's been working for you, especially over the last year.
Focus on the things you love about your home
Nobody’s place is perfect. There are always the little annoyances: the hot water that doesn’t come fast enough, the noisy neighbors, the table you’re always knocking your knees against. It’s easy to find fault.
Take a moment to shift your focus to the positive. Think about what works well in your home and how it supports you. Does the open plan layout make it easy to fix meals while staying engaged with your family? Do the colors of the walls sooth you? Does the large freezer help you store a week’s worth of healthy meals? Think about the pleasures you derive from your home. Maybe it’s spending time meditating in your garden; evenings relaxing by the fireplace; or taking a deep soak in the bathtub.
Find simple ways to make your home more nourishing
We don’t always have the money, time or the means (especially if we’re renting) to make major changes to our space. But there are simple and affordable modifications that can make our living space more supportive.
Perhaps you want to make ergonomic changes to your home office with the addition of a more comfortable chair or standing desk. Or hang a wall organizer to clear off desk space. We often wish for a larger kitchen, but even the smallest kitchen can be more efficient with better organization. It could be as basic as adding another shelf and hooks to hang cups, or organizing the pantry with clear plastic containers and labels from the Dollar Tree.
Maybe it’s as simple as cleaning the windows. I know that’s on my spring-cleaning list. When I write I like to rest my eyes every few minutes by looking out the window. So clean windows and screens can be a game changer.
Even in the best of times we depend on our homes as a source of respite and rejuvenation. What would make your home a more comfortable and relaxing environment? Perhaps an extra pillow on the sofa. Or house plants to create a connection with nature.
In some case, it may be better to subtract rather than add. A cluttered space can make our minds feel cluttered. Simply corralling everyday items into containers or trays, reduces the visual clutter. And taking the time to periodically clean out and organized cupboards in the bathroom and kitchen makes day-to-day tasks flow more effortlessly.
Spending so much time in the same place can sometimes blind us to our surroundings. It’s time to open our eyes, to express our gratitude and our love, and by making a few simple changes, we can create an even richer environment and foundation to support us, strengthen us and nurture us.
I’d love to hear what you do to create a nourishing home. Please comment below.
