During this time when many of us are self-isolating, our living spaces are more important than ever. Although you’re probably spending more time indoors than out, springtime still ushers in a sense of renewal and revitalization, a time for you to celebrate and reflect in your home.
Bringing the outdoors in
Natural touches tend to brighten up any room, making it more peaceful by connecting your indoor space
to Mother Nature. While you may be restricting your activity outside your home, you can still find creative ways to bring the outdoors in. You probably haven’t picked flowers since you were a child, but foraging for blooms in your own yard or green space can be a fun way to spruce up your living space. Gather what looks pretty to you, no matter its pedigree—take some time to blow dandelion petals while you go. Place them in a bud vase or highball glass with water and enjoy how it brightens an entryway, kitchen, or decorative table.
If you already have outdoor plants, bring ones that can flourish in partial sun inside by a window. Nurture them just as you always would and feel more connected to nature in your home. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, there are hundreds of types of seeds you can order online, along with small bags of soil and fertilizer, to grow flowering plants or start vegetable seedlings. It can be exceptionally gratifying to see things grow from the ground up, especially in a time where we are surrounded by news of grave illness. You can even help support your favorite garden supply shop while adding cheer to your space.
Starting a garden
Growing seedlings may inspire you to start a small garden. Whether it’s in a window box or your back yard, gardening can be a fulfilling use of time with rewarding results. If you’re a first-time gardener, start small—you can always expand. The first thing you should know is your USDA zone, which uses regional climate and soil information to determine which plants grow best where. If you’re starting with vegetables, pick just one variety, and honor the seasons—tomatoes and squash thrive in the summer, while lettuces and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower) favor cooler temperatures. Dream big and start small, remembering to plant where seedlings will get their best exposure to the sun, and water regularly.
If you’re starting a garden indoors, you can bring vegetables to seedlings (be sure to go by your zone and the seasons for the best results) and then transplant them to the ground. If you’d rather add color to your indoor space with flowering plants, some of the easiest varietals to start with include:
- African violets
- Begonias
- Peace lilies
- Bromeliads
- Kaffir lilies
- Poinsettias
Most require indirect light and some humidity, so keep a spritzer handy to keep the blooms thriving.
Let the light in
Natural light is proven to boost your mood, and it’s an easy way to feel cozier and calmer in your space. Take advantage of any natural light that flows through your rooms by opening curtains, blinds, and windows during the day. As spring inches closer to summer, you’ll get even more hours of sunlight to enjoy.
When natural light wanes in the evening, transitioning to candles can keep the mood calm and cozy. Choosing fresh, light scents, and colors like ivories, yellows, and oranges to add warm colors to your room while you relax with a favorite book, movie, or glass of wine.
Another way of letting the light in is through meditation that cultivates positive energy. This helpful practice is one of the best ways to manage stress and anxiety. Simply search for “mindfulness meditation” and you’ll find hundreds of options on social media channels and your native app store to help guide you. You don’t need any equipment or special setup to meditate—you only need to sit and be present.
Rearrange your space
Sometimes, making just one change in your space can leave you revitalized. Whether you’re repositioning a chair so you can read with more natural light, finding a new focal point for a room, or adding an area rug for color and balance, rearranging your space gives you a feeling of accomplishment and positive energy. Some tips for making a space feel more open include:
- Avoid pushing furniture up against walls
- Use mirrors to reflect natural light and create the illusion of more space
- Display a few larger-scale art and decorative pieces rather than lots of smaller ones
- Use rugs to divide and define separate spaces (living, kitchen, dining, bedroom, etc.)
- Make sure there’s a clear walking path—group furniture to one side for a cleaner flow
- Use lighter wall colors to draw the eye up
It’s also an excuse to do a little decluttering as you go. Moving things inevitably uncovers more things, and it can be easier to harness that energy into organizing or donating items while you’re rearranging. Then you’ve killed two birds with one stone and can relax in your revamped room.
Although this is a challenging time for all of us throughout the world, you’re not alone. We at Hope Fragrances contribute all our profits to the Hope for Depression Foundation, which is constantly working to bring awareness to and find a cure for depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Making the most of self-isolation means reconnecting with nature, taking time to reflect, and using it as an opportunity to open up your space for relaxation and positive energy.
