Earlier this year, around early January before any of 'this' ever began, I created a video prompting people to think about what home means to them. For me, home to me has always been a place to feel safe, a place to create memories, at times it has been a place to distract me from the chaos of life, it is a place where I work full time 'from home' running The Modern Hive (I've got tips if you have now found yourself newly working from home) and last but not least, one of the only physical places you have full control over in this world that seems uncertain at times.
I have always been a huge proponent that 'a well designed space impacts lives' and I believe that to be true now more than ever. Think about it - the feeling you get when you walk through the front door of your home; it should be a feeling of relief as you let out a sigh and take a look at the calming atmosphere that awaits you, not a feeling of anxiety as you look at a living room over filling with toys, mismatched furniture and unorganized chaos. Or the feeling you get when you walk into your dated kitchen with piles of dishes - makes you want to run for the hills with the closest bottle of wine. The feeling you get when you sit in a fresh and bright coffee shop, it makes you feel energized (and not just from the coffee) and it makes you feel inspired to work or dream. The feeling you get when you walk into that florescent lit cubical office.. not so inspiring as you count down the minutes to 4pm. A well designed space not only affects your mood, your mental state of mind, but it also affects your ability to heal should you need to.
I'll be the first to admit, creating a home for my own family that functions well for day to day living, a home that feels fresh, clean and organized, and a home that feels inspiring has been essential to allowing me to 'escape' from the world and focus on what matters. Yes, really escape as in totally distract me from the craziness in the world. And I don't mean now that the world has started practicing social distancing. Even before any of this, as a 'Work from Home' business, I honestly have found myself spending nearly 80%, sometimes more, of my time at home. I've had to look back and think, actually think hard, about how many times I started my car and left my house on any given week. And you know what, between the business grind that is entrepreneurship and having a young family it has never bothered me once. I have never felt stir crazy or like I needed to escape my house, In fact I have found it quite comfortable and calming. Maybe it's the introverted tendencies in me, or maybe its the atmosphere in which I've created for myself and my family at home. Perhaps it's a combination of both. I have confidence that if this whole 'stay at home' thing is new to you, you can make this your new normal, at least for now, without going crazy.
Is having a well designed home going to solve these world problems, concerns and anxieties we are now faced to deal with? No, not anywhere close. In fact, it's not really even a priority in the grand scheme of things. But I find it comforting to know that home is an environment under my control (and yes my husbands control too) and a place where I can go to escape and let all my worries fade away - release my concerns, a place that is comfy and cozy, and a place that allows me to focus on what truly matters; fostering relationships with those who live under my household and make sure they too feel these things and above all else feel safe at home.
These past few days have been weird, they have been confusing, at times scary. I'll be the first to admit, I've spent way to much time on facebook reading articles and validate them trying to process what is happening. As I write this, knowing that we as a society could all be spending quite a bit more time at home, I HOPE you find your home is a place where you feel safe, a place to heal, a place to rejuvenate and a place free of chaos. But if you're finding yourself uncomfortable in your home after spending days at home, know that we can help you create a better space and a better situation for you and your family to grow, heal, and create memories in - even when you're stuck at home for weeks on end. The Modern Hive has several options (including E-design - hello social distancing) to help you create a better space!
In the meantime find things you're grateful for, like the chance to slow down in our busy world, take a mental break, and spend time with those closest to you. Wishing you all good health, compassion, and clarity in the weeks to come. Proverbs 3: 21-26.
Let me know what 'Home Means to You' in the comments below!
