Cultivating Space Inside & Out

As I wrap up the final details before launch, I thought I’d take a moment and share what the tagline, ‘Cultivating Space, Both Inside and Out,’ is all about.

Our external and internal environments are symbiotic. How we feel influences how our space feels and the energy of our space, directly influences how we feel. I’m particularly interested in how design offers both emotional freedom as well as stagnation and how we can learn to adjust our internal worlds by tweaking our external worlds.

What exactly does that mean for this space?

It means that you can find articles, videos, and products that will help you bring more ease into your life; things like home improvement projects, DIY everything, healthy recipes, handmade delights, mindfulness practices, organizing tips, Montessori bits, parenting bits, humaning bits- you get it. These are the things that bring me delight and I’m genuinely excited to share them with you.

TL;DR

Basically, this little corner of the internet is focused on the magic that exists within us and how we can make a space a home by sprinkling that magic all around us.

MINDFULNESS AND HOW IT TETHERS US TO THE MOMENT

Mindfulness can offer grounding in times of transition. Mindfulness can be practiced throughout your day or in small bursts. Here are 2 super simple mindfulness exercises for grounding, focus, and calm. They are especially helpful to incorporate into your routine during times of change or simply anytime that you need a little extra tether to the moment.

SENSORIAL MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

If you are looking for a practice that can be incorporated into your day without stopping, try this:

• at various times tune in to all five of your senses (sound, touch, sight, smell, taste) and note what you are experiencing.

• Practiced regularly, this simple exercise has been shown to increase well-being, decrease emotional reactivity, and improve concentration.

GENTLE GROUNDING MEDITATION

• Set a timer for 3 minutes. (Increase as desired.)

• Sit in a comfortable position with palms face down on your thighs.

• Take 3 deep breaths, extend the inhale and exhale for 4 counts each.

• Quiet your breath, taking your time on each inhale and exhale.

• Focus on your breath.

• If your mind wanders, acknowledge the thoughts for what they are, thinking. It can help to say ‘thinking’ as your return your attention to your breath.

• When the timer goes off, take a moment to be still after you’ve turned it off.

• Soak up the stillness and congratulate yourself for prioritizing some yummy self-care.