The Inner & Outer Home

This month we’ve been focusing on cultivating both an inner and outer home environment you love and that will support you in living well, especially when you are experiencing difficulties and challenges.

The month of March has been difficult for me and my family as we have been anticipating the birth of our third grandson who has a terminal deformity and disease. Due to this deformity, if he survives birth, he will not live long.

My daughter and her husband found out about their baby’s disease at 12 weeks and she has chosen to carry our sweet little grandson to full term. The baby’s deformity requires that she is induced, and her inducement is scheduled for her 39th week which is at the end of March. Needless to say, the anticipation of his birth has been of great concern for all.

Despite the difficulties, my daughter and her husband have showed true resilience as they face each day with courage and faith. But, the anticipation of loss can really make day to day living a challenge.

How, when you are facing difficulties, can you still cultivate an inner and outer home environment that will support you in continuing to live well despite the challenges?

It is so easy to fall into despair and feel depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and even angry, when facing tragedy. Today, I’d like to share 3 simple and doable ways you can cultivate a sanctuary of peace and hope in your mind and heart, as well as construct a physical sanctuary within your home that will support you during your trials.

1 | Take Some Time to Putter and Tidy Up

When you are struggling with just about anything in life, taking time to clean up both your mind and your home environment can make all the difference.

We often let the day to day aspects of life slide when we are troubled; laundry can pile up, floors can become dirty, and clutter can develop overnight.

One way I deal with both the clutter of worry in my mind as well as in my home is by taking a half hour at night before I go to bed to walk through and pick things up. I’ll fold the blankets on the couch, put away the gazillion remotes, and fluff the pillows. Then, I’ll walk through and pick up shoes, wipe down counters and stack any undone dishes, and create piles I can address in the morning when I have more energy.

You’d be amazed at how quickly your mind becomes soothed and calmed as you putter around your house performing a simple clean up.

There have been some very stress filled times in my life, and taking time to tidy up my space has been a lifesaver. I find my mind is able to rest and even seek out resolutions to problems as I focus on simple, every day tasks.

A clean home helps create a clean and clutter free mind.

2 | Take Living Well Actions

Often, when we are under stress we can become paralyzed by doubt, fear, anxiety, and overwhelm. It’s easy to feel confused and scared when life spins out of control.

This morning, for example, I was trying to make some personal decisions over travel details to be present for my daughters induction date. I was so worried I was going to make the wrong decision I felt paralyzed over doing anything for the day. I said a quick prayer and felt impressed to take action and purchase my place ticket, even though I didn’t have every detail as perfect as I wanted. So I did.

After I took the time to purchase my plane ticket, my heart and mind felt a little lighter and I was able to address the other issues of the day.

When we are experiencing internal worry and anxiety it’s so hard to face life. But just like puttering and tidying up our living spaces can clear our minds, tidying up our inner world by taking action to address the areas of our stress can help alleviate the source of that worry.

Taking action is not always simple or straightforward. However, doing something instead of nothing creates momentum that will support you in knowing where to take action.

No movement breeds stagnation. Do something and you’ll find that momentum shifts your thoughts and your life and reveals your next step.

Cultivating a home within and without that you love and that supports you during challenges begins with very small steps that snowball into lifelong habits.

3 | Slow Down and Enjoy the Little Things

Our lives and homes are so inundated with outside noise and distraction these days that it is of paramount importance that we take time to slow down and enjoy the small, yet universally important, aspects and beauty of daily life: good food, good music, good conversation, and so forth.

Our souls crave connection and our homes are that living environment that can provide us this connection. Whether you are single, have young children at home, or are empty nesters, your home should be the hub for enjoying the simple things in life.

In our family, we’ve developed slow living habits that support our busy and often uncomfortable lives. On Sundays, for example, Erik and I turn on some jazz music and cook a simple, yet delicious meal. We will tidy up our home and even go out into our yard to enjoy our plants, as we spend the rest of the week busy with work and other obligations. Sometimes, our grown children will come and visit.

When our children were little, we spent time watching favorite movies together, laughing and talking around the dinner table, or having a living room dance party.

How can you slow down and enjoy the little things a little more?

Your inner and outer home can be an uncomplicated place that provides peace when you take just a little bit of time to tidy up, take needed actions, and slow down and breathe in life.

I’d love to hear how you personally cultivate an inner and outer sanctuary that provides you with greater peace in your life despite the challenges, and I hope that these simple suggestions will help to inspire you to cultivate an inner and outer home you love.