Be creative when finding a space for a little “Me” time!
In today’s hectic world we don’t always think about finding a little time for ourselves. When we do, it’s ridden with guilt, schedule juggling, and baby sitters. We convince ourselves it’s not worth all the hassle, “We can handle the stress!?”
After a recent stint in the hospital thinking for sure I was having a heart attack, I said to myself… REALLY! I don’t have time for this!!! Thankfully, it wasn’t my heart. My diagnosis, STRESS! My prescription, slow down and take some time for yourself. Finding the time to Meditate, do yoga, get a massage, take an Epsom bath… sounds Zen doesn’t it? We can’t help others unless we help ourselves. Like when we’re told when flying to put our oxygen masks on first before we assist others. Makes sense, right? Then why don’t we do this for ourselves? It may be because we need to create our own special space for “Me Time”.
Like most of us, every square inch in our homes is spoken for. So finding that special space may be tricky. It doesn’t have to be a big space; it just has to be yours. Below are some creative ways you can turn a little niche or nook into your own special place, and you don’t even have to leave the house. A spot that’s all yours where you can curl up and read a book, write, meditate, or even take a NAP!
The best part about what I do, is help people see the adventure in their spaces. I want them to fall in love with their spaces!
This dining nook (39”deep x 8’9” wide) in a small loft was being under-utilized. The client needed a dedicated place to work from home instead of the dining table she was currently working from. Space is limited in a loft. Every square inch must be carefully planned. The only spot up for grabs was the guest bedroom, but that’s where her father sleeps when he comes to visit a few times a year. So, when she told me she does everything on her feet and rarely sits, not even to eat, my first thought was – that’s intense! But who am I kidding, I’m known to do the same thing. My second thought was of a sleeping berth!
Here’s what we did. Replaced the dining table with a daybed from the guest bedroom, installed drapes, and hung a chandelier and task light to turn this former, dining area into a chic, tucked-away, sleeping berth. As luck would have it, she now has her own little reading nook – where yes, she sits and takes time for herself.
Closets can make a great little space for “Me” time.
I know, a closet isn’t the easiest space to give up, but what’s more important, a place to store more “stuff” or your sanity?
Everyone can use a little “Me” time. Moms, dads, and even kids. In this case, the teenager of the house needed her own special place. It took a little convincing, but the extra square footage it added to her bedroom made up for the loss of one of her two closets. The first one was a huge walk-in closet. Lucky girl! I removed the doors and painted the interior of the closet with a dark colored Chalk Paint so that she could keep reminders, inspirational sayings, or whatever her heart desired on it. Then I installed a desk, chair, mirror, task light, and an overhead hanging light fixture.
You can keep the closet doors if you like to keep your space a little messy and want to hide it all. No one will tell on you. After all, it’s YOUR space!
You can always revamp a space with a little creativity and a good chandelier!
Happy Tweaking!
"12 Tips to Tweak Your Way to a Happy Space”