If you decide to buy furniture this year, try to select pieces that serve more than one function, such as this bedframe/bookshelf.
With the beginning of a new year come the hopes and dreams of a fresh start for many people. But it's no secret the world is offering economic challenges for many Americans. The reality is, we can't control the stock market or the myriad other financial challenges we face every day. But we can control how we live and function in our own homes. We can control our personal environment.
So, take a good look around your home. Believe it or not, your house or apartment could be making you poor -- poor in the sense of attitude and outlook, which in turn can be carried out your door, to the office, school, church and the world in general. I am here to tell you that this is one area of your life you can have total control over, no matter what your budget or current living situation.
These are my Five Steps That Make S.E.N.S.E. for the new year:
If you're looking for new pieces of furniture for the New Year, find multi-functional furniture and other household items that can offer you the opportunity to combine storage, seating, surface space, etc. Buy one piece instead of three. You will save not only money, but also space.
This means, first and foremost, purge and de-clutter. How can you expect your life to be in order when your house is a mess? Get rid of the junk and centralize your "business life" in one place. Organize your bills and keep all of your important household files in one, neat, enclosed place. Knowing exactly where your bills are and when they are due will give you peace of mind.
Create a space in your home that is yours and yours alone. This space should be used to mediate, read or write in a journal. The only rule I suggest is keeping it low-tech, which means no electronics, phones or gadgets. Keep the noise to a minimum. Light a scented candle -- some aromatherapy can help set the mood. Without a sense of personal balance and well-being, you can't truly function with clarity and power in the real world.
Create a success wall for yourself and family. With the weight of the world on our shoulders, you need to remind yourself of the positive impact you have on your family, the community, your company and, most importantly, yourself. It can be anything from putting up your old college diplomas and sports trophies to hanging pictures of your grandchildren's artwork. It's to easy to focus on failure, but it's much more rewarding to put the attention on your successes. As the old saying goes: "Success breeds success!"
Colors and style go a long way in creating energy to fuel your life. Plants bring life. Photos bring life. Energize your space with color -- no white corporate walls. This is a place for you to come to after a busy day and become renewed. Energy also means lighting your way to a better mood. Find mood lighting and avoid bright, sterile ceiling lights that are unflattering. Soft, ambient lights on a dimmer will keep you feeling cozy, happy and in control of your personal energy and your energy bill.
