* July 10th @ 7pm *

Please join me for a beautiful evening with the warm and wise, Bari Tessler author of The Art of Money in my home!

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I know it’s been awhile since I’ve been in touch and my apologies for going absent with no word or update. The last 8 weeks have been quite the unexpected and wild ride.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball and it requires every ounce of your energy to accept, adjust and find a new way through.  

First and foremost, Sean and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son…

Ciarán James McLoughlin!

Ciarán arrived two weeks early after a fast and furious labor on Thursday, May 14th, weighing 7lbs 2oz and 21in long. We couldn’t be more in love with him and feel incredibly honored that he picked us to be his parents.

What you may not know, is that a few weeks before Ciarán was born, we learned via a routine ultrasound that he had what is known as CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.) Basically Ciarán was born with a little hole in his diaphragm which allowed most of his organs to migrate up into his chest cavity. This ultimately affected his lung development, limiting his ability to breathe and requiring him to need surgery in his first week of life to repair the defect.

Since Ciarán was born he has been receiving excellent care at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and continues to impress his doctors and nurses with his stamina and strength. I am SO grateful to report that he has successfully undergone surgery, is recovering like a champ and is now breathing on his own!  His last hurdle is learning to eat by mouth so we can remove his feeding tube and finally bring him home. Ciarán is making progress with this everyday and we are hopeful that his homecoming will be very soon!

One of the most amazing parts of this journey has been the  outpouring of love, positive energy and prayer our family has been receiving from close friends and family since the moment Ciarán was born. I know without a doubt this has had a momentous effect on Ciarán’s recovery and I am blown away by the power of community and group prayer.

There is so much more I would love to share with you but honestly I haven’t had a moment to even reflect on anything for myself yet. All I can say is that I am forever changed. This experience has been both profound and incredibly intense. Some days I feel strong and others completely helpless and lost. Most of all though, I feel firece love for my gentle little warrior and am so proud to be his mother.

An Update about the Beautiful Living Blog….

Prior to all of this, it was my intention to be in semi-regular touch with you and our amazing Beautiful Living community during my maternity leave. Obviously things have changed and unfortunately my ability to write is completely up in the air.  I have no idea what the next few months will hold but I do know my heart and focus need to be with my family right now.

Please know how often I think about this community and how much I care about you.  I’m excited to be with you weekly again as soon as I can. Until then I post regular updates, pictures of Ciarán and thoughts on instagram here:

Many people ask us how they can help and honestly the best thing Sean and I can ask for is a love and prayer for our little boy. If it feels right to you, we would be so grateful if you would light a candle and send love and positive intentions for Ciarán’s health, healing and homecoming. Thank you so and please know how deeply we appreciate your support.

I look forward to connecting with you again when things settle down and until then, I am wishing you a very joyful and beautiful summer.

All my love,

Rebecca

Below are some photos of our journey over the last 4 weeks.

First family photo

1 Day Old

First time in my arms….there are no words.

Doctor Daddy

Good luck surgery kisses

A very happy and exhausted post- surgery family

Hand on the lung he is working hard to grow and heal.

Wahoo I did it! I got my ventilator out and came off oxygen too! I am officially breathing on my own and pretty happy about it!

Finally getting to snuggle all day with mommy.

And Dad too!

Hanging with my hospital mascots… Miss Ducky and Mr Giraffe

It’s been quite an adventure so far!

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A few weeks ago, I ever-so-simply alluded to the concept of a Home Blessing (in this post) … and before I knew it, I had dozens of people reaching out to me, intrigued and wanting all the details: What is it? How do you do one? Why do they work? Etc.

How amazing! I love that you are so interested in this idea … and I’m SO excited to share what I know with you. I’ve done a number of Home Blessings in my own life, at different times, for different reasons, on tiny and grand scales. And each one has been uniquely beautiful, deeply meaningful, incredibly supportive.

So … what exactly IS a Home Blessing?

Caveat: there are zero hard-and-fast rules to the how, when and why of a home blessing. Your ritual and mine might look completely different, and will probably serve very different purposes.

That said, we might define a Home Blessing as …

• A ritual in and for your home meant to give physical expression to a deep, meaningful truth, desire or vision
• The naming of the intention for the physical space to become the container for the health and development of the people and/or family living there.
• The process of moving a home from a structural place into a sacred space.
• A blessing designed to honor something, release something, or invite something new in.
• A set or series of actions, performed with presence and clear intention.

Rituals are profoundly supportive … and sorely missing in our culture.

– Click To Tweet

Rituals tie together our inner and outer worlds. They call forth that which is longing to be unfurled, from deep within ourselves. They give structure, form, and physical expression to our growing edges and tender desires. They clear out the old, get us current with reality, and invite in the new. They invoke, honor, celebrate, support, release, and transform.

As I’ve said before, our homes reflect our inner world, make the intangible tangible, and are, in some way, the physical extension of our bodies. They hold enormous sway over our mood, our self-identity, and our ability to flow and change with ease.

Your home is a forum for your growth – Click To Tweet

Naturally, your home is a beautiful, and apt place to hold a powerful ritual such as a home blessing.

When to Do a Home Blessing…

Truly, there’s no wrong time to do a home blessing: you can experiment with one anytime you like….But, there are a few times, events, and moments where you may find a home blessing particularly useful such as:

• Moving into a new home
• Celebrating a new season
• Gaining (or losing) a roommate, family member, friend, or loved one
• Kicking off a new phase in your life
• The beginning, middle, or end of a big life transition (career change, relationship shift, motherhood, etc.)
• The end of a big remodel/redecoration/edit
• When you’d like to release something from your life OR call forth something new.

Stay Tuned: Next week, I am going to get specific and practical about how to design your own, personalized Home Blessing. Meanwhile, I want to invite your to start visioning and dreaming a little…

Reflections for Your Home and Heart

Share in the comments below or explore in your journal.

In Your Heart: What does “ritual” mean to you? How does it show up in your life?

In Your Home: If you were to perform a Home Blessing today, what would your intention be? What needs releasing, celebrating, or honoring in your life?

Sending love,
Rebecca

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Spring energy is definitely flowing…

Have you noticed it yet? Even if the weather where you live hasn’t completely warmed up yet, there’s something shifting and fresh in the air.

I’ve loved the springtime since I was a little girl. I have a love affair with the flowers and the new colors of spring are always so exciting. Whether I’m walking through the park or the grocery store, it’s easy to feel a little extra happy.

Spring brings a kind of hopefulness. A sense of a fresh start. An opportunity to grow, change, blossom … into more beauty, truth, and meaning. – Click To Tweet

But springtime’s fresh start isn’t just about bringing new things in. It’s also about learning to let go, too. To release the things that are blocking us from truly blooming — both in our homes and in our lives.

In May I am going to be talking about how to do a House Blessing – a powerful ritual done in your home. It’s purpose is to not only bless your space but to celebrate and initiate a beautiful vision for you life as well.

In preparation for this powerful ritual, I thought it would be a great time to dive into that task that lives on most of our spring time to-do lists  ….dundudnaa….SPRING CLEANING!

Last year in honor of springtime I launched a six week series called: Making Room To Bloom: Spring Cleaning For Your Heart And Home!

Hundreds of people joined in on the fun and I would love to share it again with you this year!

If your home and heart need a little love and you are interested in spending some time reconnecting to your space, your self, and your life, then I encourage you to join me over on the Beautiful Living Facebook page where I will not only be reposting my step by step process but also answering your personal questions and providing inspiration to keep you motivated. I can’t wait to connect with you there!

And if you are ready to dive in now….. below are links each post in the series. Take it one by one or just dive in wherever you feel called to start.

 Making Room To Bloom

Want your Spring Cleaning to Stick? 3 Questions to Ask Before You Dive In.

4 Types of Clutter and the Non-Obvious Places it Loves to Lurk

 My New Word for “De-clutter” and Why it Changes Everything

Love It or Leave It? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself While Editing Your Space

11 Tips to Make Your Spring Clean a Gorgeous Success (and headache-free)

As always I LOVE hearing from you! In the comments below …. are you in need of a Spring Clean?  What are you ready to release? (Heart and/or home?) What’s your plan to make it happen?

I look forward to hearing about your process and don’t forget to join all the fun happening over on Facebook! 

Sending love,

Rebecca

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Sean and I just arrived home from a sweet little “babymoon” vacation in Mexico. It was wonderful to get away, soak up some sun, play in the ocean and just have some good old fashion fun together. It’s the last time we’ll travel, relax, and be just the two of us before the little guy arrives! A little scary but also SO exciting.

And now I am enjoying a little arriving-home routine because…

There’s an art to going on vacation. And there’s an art to arriving home. – Click to Tweet

How many times has this happened to you…? You go away on a beautiful trip. You see new things, have fun, and relax. On the flight (or drive) home, you’re buoyant with excitement. Energized by the change of scenery, you’re ready to start a fresh chapter.

So you pull down the tray table, break out a notebook, and start planning. You loved that pasta at the restaurant … so you’re going to sign up for a cooking class! Those massages were incredible — you’re going to find a great masseuse at home, and go once a month. You’re determined to make more time for reading, for family dinners, for meditation … and you just know: this time, you’ll incorporate the beauty from your trip into a newer, better version of yourself and your daily life.

But then, you get home — and reality sets in. You head to the office Monday morning, and by Wednesday, the relaxation of the trip has faded almost to black. Finding a cooking class, signing up for massages — these get shuffled to the bottom of your To Do list, and you settle back into your normal, frenzied pace.

Before you know it, you’re just as tired and burned out as before. So you decide: Hey, it’s time for another vacation! And the cycle repeats …

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re not lazy!

If you’d like your vacation to nurture your entire life

(not just the week you’re there)

it’s time to learn the art of INTEGRATION.

It took me a long time to admit what I really needed once I got home from vacation. But now, I know: the first day or two of my return are just as important as the week away. Honoring this transitional time is essential, not only for integrating all the nourishment I received on vacation, but also to ensure that my tanks remain full and my energy stores continue to support me as I move back into my day to day life.

How To Create A Successful Arriving- Home Routine!

1. Give Yourself a “Buffer” Day

You can’t expect yourself to go straight from kayaking in Alaska to doing accounting in just one day — at least if you want to hold onto some of the beauty, peace, and relaxation you cultivated while you were away.

If you know you need to be back at work on Monday morning, plan to arrive home Saturday night, so you have one day to settle in, exhale, and get ready for “normal life” to resume. Remember: you’ll probably be a little tired when you get back from vacation — even if it was a restful one. And there’s a natural “dip” in our energy and mood after the happy change of pace from being away.

Take your time and move slowly on your “Buffer Day.” You’ll likely want to take care of a few errands, but leave plenty of time for sipping tea, going to the park, and getting to bed early. It’s also best not to plan a big social outing for Monday night — instead, take it easy for a few days, and savor the experience you just had.

2. Unpack that Bag!

Oh, I used to leave my suitcase around for two or three weeks, after a vacation! (Ok confession… sometimes it still happens but I am getting WAY better and it never goes more than a day or two!) Regardless the scene is always the same… I rummage through things as I need them and my suitcase quickly transforms into a bomb that exploded all over the room … eventually Sean makes a gentle (or not so gentle) comment … and I finally get the message that it might feel better for everyone if I actually completely unpacked my bag.

I have learned: it’s vital to unpack your bag as soon as you get home. (Or at least the next day.) When you leave it lying around, the truth is…. part of you is in denial that you are still on that beach in Mexico!

Unpacking closes the energy of a trip and helps your body and mind settle back into home-life.

To drive the point home even more…. when we leave our suitcases lying around for a long time after a trip, it’s not uncommon that our entire self-care routine suffers. Simply unpacking the dang thing will make you feel 100x more settled at home — it will also naturally move you into a much more effective mindset and ultimately help you jump back into your daily routines with more gusto.

3. Love Up Your Space

Ever notice that it’s easy to slip into a mini-depression after a vacation? Making sure your home is a beautiful place that you truly love makes everything so much better! After all: when your home’s a wreck, and you have nothing to look forward to, depression is a pretty normal response.

Make sure to give my home a little extra TLC when you return from vacation. Throw in the laundry, fluff those couch pillows and make sure your countertops are clean and pretty. Make everything as beautiful as you can: try arranging some wildflowers, playing some music, drawing a bubble bath … whatever you need to feel in love with your space, and focus on what’s great about being home.

4. Infuse Your Life with Vacation Lessons

I believe it’s so important to honor the beautiful experiences in our lives, and find ways to carry them forward with us — in our hearts and in our homes.

One great way to do this is journaling. Take a few moments and name 5 feelings you experienced on vacation. What did you love most about your time away? Adventure? Relaxation? Sensual pleasure? Make a list … and then, ask yourself…. “How can I create these feelings in my home and life right now?” Think about the areas of your life where you lose touch with these precious priorities — and how they might be able to come more alive, for you. Come up with a few simple, creative ways to bridge your vacation-world and home-world.

Your space can be beautiful support for this process as well! Pick a souvenir or photo from your trip that most exemplifies one of these qualities.  Place it in a spot you’re likely to see, everyday. This will remind you of what matters most … and keep you connected to the beauty of your vacation, long after the sand is out of your shoes.

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The next time you find yourself arriving home from a lovely vacation, I hope you’ll think of these little tips … and make the most of your trip, even after it’s over.

After all: what better way to honor and celebrate a beautiful experience than by finding ways to keep it’s spirit alive, everyday?

Sending love,

Rebecca

Reflections for Your Home and Heart…

Share in the comments below or explore in your journal.

In your Heart: What is your arriving-home-from-vacation routine? Are you able to integrate back into day to day life the way your want to?

In your Home: What are 2 things you do (or can do) that help you feel more settled and in love with your home?

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“Your life is a story of transition. You are always leaving one chapter
behind while moving on to the next.”  ~ Linda Seidler

I don’t know about you, but change has always been really hard for me. (Yep: even exciting, positive change.)

I’ve resisted it. Feared it. Tried really hard to stick my head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening.

Worst of all, I carried all of this around like a secret. I thought I was the only one having a hard time with change — like I wasn’t there the day they passed out the “grown-up” cards.

Eventually, I realized: change isn’t going anywhere. It is inevitable in this lifetime — and I might as well learn how to deal with it.

So I became a student of transition. I studied change, and learned about it’s rhythms and melodies. I got more and more comfortable with the process of transformation — both within myself and in other people. And I quickly learned:

1. Transitions happen to everyone. Not one of us will get out of this lifetime without having gone through a major transition — or two or ten.

2. We don’t talk about them. Our culture doesn’t know how to deal with transition, or support people through them. So we all walk around feeling lost and alone.

3. Most often, they are really, really freakin’ hard. Growth is uncomfortable, and transitions aren’t all roses and rainbows.

Naturally most of us try to avoid transitions, at all cost. “Transcend” them. Out-smart or sidestep them. Cover our eyes and run home to the familiar, fast as we can.

This  is such a shame. Because the truth is …

Transitions – beautiful, painful, and messy – grow us into the fullness of who we are and all that we can become. – Click To Tweet

When we try to avoid transitions — or simply go through them unconsciously — we miss out on vital opportunities for growth. We stay stagnant, and continue living out the same old, unhelpful patterns. Or we disintegrate, chicken out, and go through the motions without reaping the deep gifts.

Your happiness is directly related to how well and resiliently you can support yourself through life transitions and integrate their lessons.

The first step in embracing the power of transition is educating yourself about the process. Through studying this topic in my own life (and through my work with clients), I’ve identified six reliable phases of a transition:

Six Phases of a Transformational Transition:

1. The Preparation:  

You feel the change a-comin’.  Like the buildup to a ginormous sneeze, you may have a little advance notice. The unrest in your relationship before the breakup; the rumors of downsizing before you get fired, that inkling that you want something bigger before making that cross-country move.

2. The Leap:  

The window of opportunity (or crisis) opens, and you walk through it (or get shoved!). You have that life-changing talk, make the call, get the news, or sign the papers.

3. The Uprooting:  

Suddenly, you’re in new surroundings … and don’t quite know where you are (or who you are!) Everything feels unstable — like you can’t quite feel the ground beneath you. Things feel a little (or a lot!) chaotic and out of control.

4. The Grieving:  

Some transitions contain obvious elements of grief. The loss of a loved one, divorce, miscarriage. Yet even the happiest changes entail some sort of loss — of your old mode of being, your past status quo, or your out dated dreams. You may feel like a part of you is dying, and aching to be grieved.

5. The “Wishy-Washy” Phase:  

This is the liminal, the ambiguous, in-between, the nowhere-feels-like-home phase. You know you’re not who you once were, but you also don’t know who you are yet or what you really want. Here, things can feel foggy, unknown, and even “dead and boring.” It’s often difficult to vision, and the future can feel very unclear.

Note: This is the moment when many of us run back to our old ways or cling to the first solution that presents itself  — but these choices ultimately rob of us from the fruits of transition. Instead, this phase invites us to listen, to surrender to the mystery, and to be patient with our inner formation … so that we may change and grow.

6. The Integration:  

Finally, you start to put down roots in your new life and in your new identity. A “new normal” begins to emerge, the earthquakes subside, your emotions even out, and you start to find some solid ground again.

As you integrate you’re able to look back over the entire transitional process….acknowledging where you’ve come from, how you’ve grown and who you’ve become. You will begin to know yourself differently and live your life with greater meaning, intention and beauty.

While these phases are common, not every transition will move through them neatly or in a linear order. You might move from one phase to the next in a matter of moments … you could be in two phases at the same time … or you could skip from the second to the sixth and back to the third.

Simply understanding the common phases and elements in transitions can support you through them — and make you feel a little less crazy when you’re in the thick of things!

Are you going through a transition?
I am currently offering 3 spots in my new Interior Life Design Program:
Intimate coaching through life’s greatest transitions.

Learning to navigate transitions is an essential life skill, but one we’re often not taught about. I’ve supported countless people through transitions. If you’re facing a life change right now (big or small, happy or tragic), I’d be honored to support you.  Click here to learn more.

Reflections for your Heart and Home…

Share your insights and questions in the comments below or explore in your journal.

In Your Heart: What phase of transition are you in? How does it feel?

In Your Home: How do you see this phase reflected in your home?

Stay tuned! Next week, I’m spilling the beans about a BIG life transition I’m currently going through … and what I’m doing in my heart and in my home to navigate it. (Seriously: BIG news!)

Sending love,

Rebecca

P. S. If you liked this post, I’d love for you to share it with your friends. And if you’re curious about working privately with me (in person or via Skype), you can learn all about it right here.

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Oh, Valentine’s Day. It stirs up so many emotions, doesn’t it? Feelings of deep love and appreciation for your partner; feelings of inadequacy and loneliness if you’re alone (and don’t want to be)… even anger and eye-rolling at the whole hallmark holiday are common.

But for just a minute, let’s drop all of the hype, angst, and overblown chocolate-and-roses expectations … and go straight to the sweet, cream-filled center of this holiday.

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, you can make Valentine’s Day a celebration of romance, sensuality, and L-O-V-E. – Click to Tweet

These things are worth celebrating, my friends.

They’re central to what makes our lives joyful and meaningful.

They can be celebrated regardless of your relationship status.

And one of the most powerful ways to honor and deepen your sense of them … is right in your very home.

 Today I want to talk about my 5 favorite ways to bring more love into your life by working on your home (especially in the bedroom!)

I use many of these tips with my clients and definitely put them to work in my own life. They’re small and simple, but their impact is mighty.

Whether you’re single and searching, or in a relationship and want to deepen your connection … these tips will help invite more love, sensuality, and romance into your life.

1. Turn Your Bedroom into a Love Nest

Every room in your home should reflect the function and deep, meaningful purpose it serves in your life. Your bedroom is really a haven for sleep and sexuality … and these deep purposes should guide every choice and change you make to this room.

As much as is practical, remove technology, TV’s, and gizmos from the bedroom. Not only do they interrupt our ability to slow down at night, but studies have actually shown that they detract from our intimacy and empathy with our partner. Think about it: do you really want all of your Facebook friends in bed with you? Learning the art of setting boundaries to protect your relationship — whether with yourself or your partner — is critical. Taking a stand for no electronics in the bedroom is a challenging but worthy feat! (And, no: I’m definitely not perfect at this one. It’s hard!)

Also, create a safe, protective cocoon for yourself at night by closing all of your bedroom doors before going to bed (even your closet door.) This is a simple way to promote feelings of calm, safety, and protection. Besides helping you sleep better (which makes us all better in relationships!) this might make you feel safe enough to get a little more open and vulnerable — in your current relationship or in the one you’re looking for.

(Note: Of course, if you’re parenting kiddos, closing the doors at night may create more anxiety for you than relaxation — so do what feels best for you, given your life situation right now.)

2. Bring on the Beauty!

 In all of our rushing and endless To Do lists, I think most of us are starving for beauty. Carving out time and mental space for beauty makes us so much more available for sensuality, romance, and satisfaction.

 Add one or two beautiful things to your bedroom, and just see if that doesn’t open your heart a notch or two. I recommend flowers, beautiful bedding, or artwork that carries a calm, sacred, sensual energy. (Even if you think The Scream is beautiful, you might not want that energy in your love life — so you probably want keep it out of your bedroom too!)

 One of my favorite ways to bring more beauty and romance into a space is candlelight. After all: why should fancy bistros and special occasions have the monopoly on this soft, cozy delight? Bring some of that elegant, lovey-dovey magic into your home by lighting candles in the bedroom, at the dining room table, or anywhere!

3. Pair it Up

 I’m a big believer in placing things in two’s around your home to invite more love into your life. In fact, before I met my husband, I placed pairs of lovebirds around my home as a tangible reminder of my readiness for a loving relationship.

 Consider placing artwork featuring two things around your home, or creating duets of decorative items like vases, candles, or statuettes. Remember to keep the pairs in close proximity, because ultimately this is what creates “relationship.”

4. Make Space for Your Beloved

If you’re not currently in a relationship, look around your home: is there room for another person in your world? If not, create some! Take this as literally or metaphorically as you like: you might empty out a drawer for that special someone who’s on his/her way … or you might just clear out some of the physical (or mental/emotional) clutter in your life, so there’s enough spaciousness for someone else to come in and co-create with you.

 I truly believe that it wasn’t until I de-cluttered my life, on a huge level, that I had the room to enter a relationship. All of my clutter (seriously: I had packed closets, and a storage unit full of boxes!) kept me “safe” from being vulnerable — and prevented me from opening to the intimacy I truly craved.

Try setting up your bedroom for two people: position your bed so there’s access from both sides. Also consider placing a nightstand and lamp on each side. These small details will reflect your commitment to equal support and respect — which will deepen your current relationship or invite in a new one.

 If you’re already in a relationship, this practice is still incredibly important! In fact, one partner having much more or less space can be a big metaphor for what’s happening in your relationship.

 Awhile back, my husband Sean told me he’d love a little more room in the closet. And I instantly snapped, “The closet’s for me!” Oh, boy! We processed the huge message underneath that, about my needs and his, and came to a much more spacious place in our relationship (and closet!), ultimately with more room for communication and flow.

5. Change it Up!

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, stagnancy squashes romance.  Keeping the energy alive by changing things up is one of the easiest, and most powerful things you can do in your home for relationship!

 Try opening your bedroom windows in the morning to air things out. This is a great way to refresh any stagnant energy and keep things flowing. You might also try spritzing some essential oils, shaking out your comforter (outside!), changing your sheets, fluffing your pillows, rotating your mattress … or finding other ways to change and freshen things in your bedroom.

 Even small tweaks can make a home feel fresh and more alive. (Want more ideas? Here are 63!)

Intention trumps details. In love and in your home. Always.

– Click to Tweet

All of these tips are invitations to tie your intentions to your physical world. This is what makes working with our homes so powerful! And this is why finding your own unique flavor and personal touch is far more important than blindly following any one set of “rules.”

As always: make these tips your own. It really can be a fun, enjoyable process! After all: what could be more exciting than enhancing the love you have … and inviting even greater love into your life?

In the Comments: Have you been wanting to Love-ify your bedroom for a while? What little thing can you do today? Can’t wait to chat in comments below!

Sending Love,

Rebecca

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A common question (and fair struggle) that pops into my inbox over and over again is this:

“I want to change my space so badly!

BUT: I just don’t have the time or money. Help!”

I hear you! When we take a hard look at our space — and get excited about making some changes — it can feel overwhelming, fast.

But here’s the thing: you really don’t have to spend tons of time OR money to shift your space in a big way.  In fact: it’s often the teeny-tiny tweaks we make in our home that add up to make a big, beautiful difference.

To get you started (and to inspire your own ideas!), I want to share dozens my favorite tiny tweaks that will make a huge impact in your home. They’re categorized by the things you might be craving (more organization, more beauty, more coziness, etc.) Best of all: each one only takes a few minutes — and many of them are free (or close to it!)

Say goodbye to your overwhelm … and lets start making those little home shifts today!

To Get Organized + Clear…

• Arrange your shampoo/beauty product bottles in a visually pleasing way.
• Fold or roll your towels in a pretty way
• Straighten your bedside table
• Find a fun way to display your jewelry
• Refold the items in your dresser drawers (think: tank tops, sweaters, etc.)
• MAKE YOUR BED! (“A messy bed = a messy head.”)
• Clean underneath your bed (sweep or vacuum, too!)
• Edit 5 items from your closet that you no longer use or love
• Replace dead light bulbs
• Clean out your fridge: inside (toss old food) and outside (remove outdated notes, pictures, reminders, etc.)
• Empty and organize your junk drawer
• Straighten and organize your Tupperware
• Clean out your pantry
• Sort through your pens: throw away any ugly, chewed, broken, or dead ones
• Go through the house looking for any old junk mail that may have gotten tucked away … and recycle it
• Throw out any old, worn dish towels
• Tidy the books on your shelves

To Beautify + Awaken Your Senses…

• Place fruit in a colorful bowl on the counter
• Add a lavender sachet to your lingerie drawer
• Open your shades, blinds, or windows (especially in the morning!)
• Pick wildflowers and arrange them in a surprising spot like your bathroom counter
• Put those bags of spices, herbs, or grains into lovely, display-worthy glass jars.
• Make your home smell fabulous: spray essential oils, boil some water with rosemary and lemon, or light that candle you never do
• Paint one wall a fresh color
• Try a new dishwashing detergent or hand soap (so you smell something new and lovely)
• Fluff your couch cushions and throw pillows
• Play music to set the mood
• Get a fun doorknob (or two!)
• Change your doorbell chime
• Hang a beautiful tapestry on the wall

To Get Cozy, Comfy + Peaceful…

• Buy a soft rug and put it by the side of your bed so your feet touch something luxurious first thing in the morning
• Add a space heater to chilly rooms
• Add a throw blanket within arm’s reach of a cozy spot
• Use a humidifier at night
• Get some soft slippers to wear around the house
• Spritz essential oils on your pillow before bed
• Get an eye mask you love (to block out light at night or for naps)
• Fill a little basket with everything you need for a luxurious bath (candles, a book, bath salts, etc.) and then use it!
• Make a little nook for quiet reading, knitting, journaling, etc.
• Get a Himalayan salt lamp, mini-water fountain, or rock garden for a side table
• Replace light bulbs with a softer wattage in your cozy spots

To Spice Things Up + Break Out of a Rut…

• Move your bed to new position in the room
• Change your bed linens or blanket (it shifts the feel of the whole room!)
• Replace the photos or artwork on display with new or updated ones
• Rotate the art on your wall to a new place
• Rearrange your furniture for better flow or lighting
• Swap out the throw pillows on your couch or chairs
• Place a lamp in a dark corner to brighten it
• Dance!!
• Change your window treatments (home depot is a great place for affordable options!)
• Replace your shower curtain

To Connect with Your Spirit, Self, and Home…

• Arrange a little spot for quiet reflection or conversation (with chairs, cushions, soft lighting — whatever you need)
• Invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones so you can always find a quiet spot (especially good to drown out street or construction noise and/or for moms with a house full of kiddos running around!)
• Light a few candles
• Take a moment to set an intention for yourself and your space
• Create a little “altar” with photos of your family, a little Buddha statue, or whatever is deeply meaningful to you
• Tour your home and find one way you can rearrange things for better flow
• Take the time to set the table for dinner: use cloth napkins, a tablecloth, candles, etc.
• Make and display some artwork: a painting, frame a poem you love, display your wedding vows, etc.
• Have a “house blessing” (more on what this is and how to do one to come …)
• Set loving intentions for the use and purpose of each room in your home
• Make your front door or entryway more welcoming: repaint it, place a plant or water element, or get a beautiful welcome mat
• Make a beautiful label with your name on it and stick it on your mailbox

Fun, simple stuff, right? I hope you try a few of these out … or get inspired to think up your own small changes.

In the Comments Below… What tiny tweaks have you made in your home that have made a big difference?

Wishing you a beautiful week.

Sending Love,
Rebecca

P.S. If you found this list useful I would love for you to share it with your friends!

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