Our home, the way we design it and the way we maintain it, is truly a reflection of our mindset. We create our reality based on how we think and feel about ourselves. Our thoughts are the foundation for how we relate to our environment. One can discover so many things about themselves when examining various aspects of one’s home. How we maintain our physical spaces can give us messages about how we relate to others and ourselves in our lives. To support the changes we may desire in our lives, we can also begin with shifting our physical environment to mirror what energy and experiences we desire to bring into our lives.
When company comes over, what are the first spaces that you prepare? Do you rush to clean your bedroom? How many times have you found yourself cleaning up the public spaces of your home for guests and neglecting your private spaces? Or even, removing the clutter from the public spaces, like your living room or guest room, and dumping it into your bedroom space to get it out of the way? What does this tell you about how you care for yourself? How many times do we take care of everyone else’s areas/issues/care first and put ourselves on the back burner?
Your bedroom, and the way you arrange and maintain it, sets the stage for you to feel supported, valued, loved, healthy, and wealthy in your life. The bedroom is the space in your home in which you spend the most time, are the most vulnerable, get the most rest and rejuvenation, and where you can re-connect with yourself and your partner. Your bedroom can be your sanctuary. Having a beautifully designed bedroom can truly set the stage for demonstrating self-care and self-love.
Here are five concepts to consider when creating a space that reflects self-care:
- Create a Solid Foundation to Sleep On. Does your bed provide a strong foundation for rest? In a very practical way, consider if your bed and mattress are comfortable to sleep on. Think about the story of Goldilocks & the Three Bears. You want to find the bed that is “just right.” It should be comfortable, supportive, and at just the right height so you can easily get in and out of bed. Place a solid headboard on the bed that is higher than the footboard. Place the entire bed against a solid wall. When you are in bed, you want to feel safe and secure, loved, nurtured and cared for, as if you are being wrapped in love all night. When in bed, can you see when someone enters the room? Do you have a good view of most of the room?
- Create a Beautiful View. What is the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see when you go to bed? If what you see does not inspire and bring you joy, move it out of the way! When you wake up in the morning to see a pile of laundry or books, or anything else that reminds you of the things you need to get done, doesn’t that just suck the joy out of the moment? Upon waking, be still for a moment, gaze upon something beautiful, and take time to set your intentions for the day, express your gratitude for the day ahead, or reflect upon whatever brings you joy. Beginning the day with intention goes a long way in supporting your goals and dreams. Let the objects and images in your space support you as you begin your day. Be inspired by an inspiring view!
- Clear the Clutter. The last place in your home that should have any clutter is your bedroom. Your bedroom is the space where you want the energy to be clear, to flow freely and gently. This means removing things from under the bed, under the dressers and other furniture. It may mean releasing objects and images that no longer bring you joy and that do not represent who you are today and who you are becoming. What is the vision for your life? Create an image of how you would like your life to look and feel in two to five years. Then, review the objects and images in your space to determine if they fit the person you see yourself becoming in that time. Any object you share space with, especially in your bedroom, should be loved and bring you joy. If there are any objects that carry unpleasant memories or emotions, release them from this space and your life.
- Clear the Space Around Your Head. Have you ever been driving in a car with two tractor-trailers on either side, or with just one right next to you? Do you feel the pressure or uneasiness of having this looming structure next to and over you? In our bedrooms, we can feel this same sense of looming or overwhelming energy. To prevent this feeling of uneasiness, do not place any large objects, such as tall bookcases, next to your bed. Make sure the ceiling above your head is clear of hanging furniture, shelving, heavy light fixtures, or other objects. This also means finding a space for your bed with no overhanging beams or sharp corners.
- Create an Intention for Your Space. What experience do you truly really desire from your bedroom? Create an intention for your space, as I recommend you do for every space in your room. If your intention is to wake up feeling rested and joyful, examine your space through this lens and surround yourself with things that make you feel this way. I recommend not bringing any work into the bedroom and definitely not doing work while in bed. Remove images that do not reflect soft, restful energy. Use soft, soothing colors, such as skin tone colors and soft pinks that reflect love. Use dim lighting that also creates a soothing, restful atmosphere.
And, remove as many (if not all) electronics from the room as possible. Electronics, such as TVs, computers, and cell phones, bring more active energy into the space. The lighting from these devices can disrupt or prolong your attempts to sleep. They also produce an electromagnetic field that can be disruptive as well. Be intentional about every object in your space as you are with everything else that you bring into your life, whether it is relationships, experiences, and even your thoughts. Make choices that support all facets of your life.
Think of your bedroom and your bed as a regeneration cocoon. Create a loving, cozy, luxurious-feeling space that will make you feel nurtured and protected, that will allow you to relax and get a wonderful night’s sleep. If possible, choose a bedroom space that is away from the street and away from high traffic areas, where you can block out the light with light blocking curtains or blinds, and where you can block out sound by closing the door and windows while you sleep. Setting a foundation for self-care (and self-love) in our bedrooms creates an energy of love that you carry with you throughout the day.
