The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has mandated that we stay home to break its chain of contagion. Putting our fears and concerns about the virus aside, staying home will be somewhat enjoyable, and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of our lives. However, after a few days, for many people STAYING HOME may lose some of its lustre. It is important that we find something to focus our attention on; and even better if we find this focus BEFORE the lustre expires.
WHEN STAYING HOME LOSES SOME OF ITS LUSTRE
Finding Focus
Finding this focus for myself means creating and sticking to a daily schedule, so that I don’t fall into the abyss of couch surfing or watching too much news. For other people this mandatory staycation might be a great opportunity to catch up in areas of their life where they feel they are falling behind; or they might appreciate the chance to work on something they’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time.
Let me invite you to apply some of that focus to the Design for Conscious Living ® tag line: LOVE THE HOME YOU LIVE IN
FINDING AND STICKING TO A DAILY SCHEDULE | PHOTO BY GUSTAVO FRING FROM PEXELS
Loving the home we live in, is a product of engaging our environment. Spending real time in our home will facilitate the understanding of what it is we need; in other words, what is essential for our mental, physical and emotional comfort? That would make this Covid-19-stay-home-self-isolation journey, a highly unusual opportunity to learn in detail about oneself and how we have chosen to live. This type of introspection is a gift akin to climbing a mountain or sailing alone across a vast ocean.
As we navigate through our space—and with a wide range of emotions—we should take note on how our environment supports us when we find our isolation difficult. In this unprecedented time we will all experience our homes exactly as we have created them: with the support that they give, and the lack thereof.
SAVING THE WORLD ONE SOFA AT A TIME | PHOTO BY PAOLO NICOLELLO ON UNSPLASH
“We are saving lives by sitting on our couch.”
This phrase has been circulating in the news and on social media for a few weeks now. Johnathan Smith strongly emphasizes the importance of this—couch sitting—in his post “Hold the Line.”
So while we are sitting on our couch and doing our part, let’s start our “Loving the Home we Live in” journey.
The couch is arguably one of the most essential pieces of the living room. It should be the comfy spot you sit for the movie marathons, the board gaming, the quiet moment of mindful meditation and for confronting the 1000 piece puzzle sitting on the coffee table.
Ask yourself: do I like sitting on my couch; could it be more comfortable; do I like what I see when I take a look around; what do I notice; does this couch support the way I want to live?
DO I LIKE WHAT I SEE AROUND MY SOFA | PHOTO BY SAHIN SEZER DINCER ON UNSPLASH
Perhaps what you notice is that you have too much stuff, and your cluttered space makes you feel stressed or irritable. Maybe it’s time to lighten the load; donate; clean; rearrange.
Need help with that?
HOME ORGANIZATION EXPERT CELIA ALIDA RUTTE OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO PURGE YOUR HOME
Could the room be brighter? Pull back the curtains, open the window, clean the window, let the fresh air and sunshine spill into the room.
Do your walls need something? Are you tired of the colour? Could the room use a new coat of paint? How about a new coat of eco-friendly paint!
COLOUR AND DESIGN CONSULTANT SHARES TOP ECO-FRIENDLY PAINTS FOR 2020
What about decorating those newly painted walls with framed photos and/or artwork. Select content for your display that has sentimental value or represents something you value in your life. Break out the sketching paper, paintbrushes, or that paint by numbers kit you got for Christmas four years ago. Start it, finish it, add it to the wall.
CREATE WALL MURALS WITH PHOTOS AND ART | PHOTO BY BRAD RUMBLE ON UNSPLASH
Does the living room need something green? Is there an empty corner that needs to be filled? Bring life to your living space with indoor plants! They are trending—actually they never really went out of style.
CITYLINE GUEST DESIGNER CELIA ALIDA RUTTE SHARES TIPS FOR DESIGNING WITH HOUSE PLANTS
INDOOR PLANT REVIVAL | TOP SIX INDOOR PLANT CARE TIPS
Looking for more than just a house plant? Feeling the pull to get outdoors? Thinking about growing your own food? How about planning a vegetable garden?
EDIBLE GARDEN DESIGN IN TORONTO
3 BENEFITS OF AN URBAN GARDEN AND 3 TIPS ON HOW TO START ONE
Feeling the urge to decorate your front yard with shrubs and perennials. Need helpful gardening tips. We post these monthly from March to October.
THE MARCH GARDEN – MONTHLY GARDENING ADVICE FOR NEW GARDENERS
DOES YOUR LIVING ROOM NEED SOMETHING GREEN | PHOTO BY EDAN COHEN ON UNSPLASH
This “coming home” is a personal journey. Each one of us will find comfort in our own way. What your home needs in order to serve you will be different from anyone else. Think of your home as an outer layer of skin. It is there to protect and support everything that is on the inside. In the days ahead, take note of what is working and what is not; where you need further support and/or protection. It doesn’t all have to be fixed right away; one small change to make your home more comfortable and enjoyable may make a world of difference during this challenging time.
