I’m going to NYC this weekend to help a friend. Gina (not her real name) is now an empty-nester after being a single mom for the past eighteen years. She has done a wonderful job and over the last seven years she chose to go back to Hunter College to finish her undergraduate degree and then she embarked on a masters degree.
Like many Manhattanites, her family has been living in a small space and her apartment wears the telling signs of a busy life. What do I mean? Well, she has handsome bookcases and closets that are full with the “stuff” of her life. Since her storage spaces are currently taken, there is overflow in corners, under tables, on top of cabinets—making a small apartment feel even smaller.
My role this weekend will be first and foremost to say repeatedly, “chuck it.” The decision to get rid of something that no longer serves can be difficult, especially if it has sentimental value. The toys and trophies from a child’s younger years, an outfit that you adored ten years ago but is now out of style—you get the picture.
I can also provide my friend with a fresh eye, since we all start to get so used to how our homes look that we don’t clearly see them anymore. It’s almost as if we go numb to our surroundings and just exist in them instead of having the rooms truly nourish our well-being.
Join Gina in taking the time to revamp in order to get a soul nourishing space. Here are some guidelines when looking at any room in your home:
- What needs to be changed in the room?
- Do you want the room to be peaceful and restful or one that stimulates you?
- Are there items in the room that you like but are just sick of seeing?
- Does the space need to be cleared out of stuff or simply rearranged?
- What needs to be added for you to feel more nourished here?
- What have you been tolerating far too long?
- Do the items and decor in your home reflect who you are now?
Once you’ve done that, be honest with yourself about the habits and behaviors that created the situation.
- What have you habits do you have that contributed to making this a less than desirable space?
- Do you go out shopping and buy things as a “pick me up” when you’re feeling down or sad?
- Do you need a hamper for clothes, or extra storage options like an armoire or wooden closet?
- Should you curb your spending at the mall every weekend, in order to keep your home and closets free of extra stuff?
- Do you need to put clothing or items away immediately after taking them out vs. waiting until later?
Gina’s transition into being an empty-nester is providing her with a welcome opportunity—to claim the entire apartment as hers and to create an environment that she loves. I know that getting rid of clutter and then revamping Gina’s apartment will open space up for new opportunities and connections to move into her life.
