On my walks I’ve been noticing this sad house- first I watched it being built and then I waited for it to be sold – for almost 2 years. I felt sorry for it there, waiting for so long for a buyer and then I got curious – why hadn’t it sold? So I did what anyone would do, I sauntered up the drive and peered in every window I could reach. (Sure I could have started with Zillow, but a split second decision on a sunny day seemed a much quicker route to satisfying my curiosity.) The house was empty with light oak flooring everywhere, white walls, a small family room and an kitchen with 3 entrances that felt undersized for this 2000+ square foot home.
It was truly a blank slate, but one that may have left some of its potential buyers wondering what furniture would actually fit. I couldn’t help but think a little staging may have gone a long way in helping visualize some options, so I opened my laptop and played around with some virtual ideas.
I gave myself some guidelines with a color palette and an imaginary family of 4 to serve and went to work. Since it had a small-ish living room and there wasn’t a lot of wall space, I imagined a sectional and closed cabinets behind it instead of an open sofa table to minimize the amount of furniture pieces and visual clutter. And I tucked an extra chair in the corner for a cozy reading spot.
There was actually a good sized dining room off the front entrance to the kitchen, so instead of the typical breakfast nook, I thought it would be fun to place a cabinet at the half wall for more kitchen storage and stage it as a keeping room with chairs and an ottoman where you could drink your morning coffee.
After my brainstorming session I decided to reach out to the realtor to see if I could be of assistance but it just so happened my offer was a little too late and the house was unfortunately (but thankfully for her!) under contract.
Because of my background as a designer and coach I can’t help but see how the transformation of both our internal and external worlds- heart and home- overlap and overflow into each other. I don’t just want to help you redesign your room, I also want to help you create and live out a life you love, starting from the inside out.
As hard as it is for some to imagine how an empty house could function and fit their needs, the start of a new year can also feel a little daunting – especially if you have no plan to work toward. I’ve tried living without a plan and with one and I’m here to tell you my brain is a lot happier with something to aim for- just like my home is a lot more in line with the haven I want it to be when I’ve made a mood board or have an inspiration piece that gives me a direction to move in.
When I visualize and verbalize what I’m trying to achieve- in home or in my life- it’s as if the right things and situations just show up.
The older I get, the more guardrails I need to keep me from careening off the path. So here are some of the more helpful practices I’ve tried lately to set myself up for a great year. (Note: I think you can do some of these each new month- each new week- or even each new day if you need a fresh start. No new year necessary ♥)
Review. It’s helpful to look at last year’s camera roll and planner making note of your wins and accomplishments. And something I tried last year was writing a letter to future me so I also have that to refer to for uncovering other achievements I may have forgotten.
Evaluate. What went well this past year? What didn’t? How would I like to change that in the coming season? Important to note: Be compassionate with yourself. This has been the hardest but also the most transformational thing I’ve learned the past few years. It’s about progress- not perfection. I have so much love for last year’s version of me as well as present me (we’re all doing the best we can!). So accept where you are- good or bad- and know that it’s ok.
Define where you want to go. I had fun this year by making a secret Pinterest board. I guess you could call it a digital vision or personal mood board!
In any case, I’m here for it! I found a prompt that asked questions about what the next version of me would be like- dress, job, goals, home projects, health, dreams, etc.- and I got to work pinning. (I do this with rooms in my house- so why not for myself!) I also chose to write a letter to future me again for the coming year as if all the things I’ve pinned have already happened.
Set goals & create an action plan. For any big projects I want to tackle I set my 90 day intention (because science has shown we can accomplish a lot more than we think we can in only 3 months versus a year!) and break those goals down into smaller more manageable steps to plug into my calendar. This year I want to try to more fully embody the feelings and values associated with pursuing my goals so I chose 4 coordinating traits- creative, confident, courageous and connected- and brainstormed 4 small corresponding actions to shoot for each day that reinforced those qualities such as designing something every day (anything goes- vignettes, organizing something, IG posts or mood boards), expressing myself with fun outfit and jewelry, offering encouragement or making an offer for design or coaching & checking in with myself (how’s my energy level and my mood each day- adjust accordingly) and connecting with at least one friend or family member in some way per day.
My 90 day goals:
•Complete the transformation of one room in my house (you know how they say a cobbler’s children never have shoes… so true… 🙄)—> breaks down into: prep for and finish painting, research and swap out remaining placeholder furniture, style with accessories
•Flip 3 pieces for the booth —> breaks down into take inventory of what’s in the shed, sand and prep one piece per month, paint, pick fabric and recover cushion if applicable
•Chronicle my progress on the goals above on the blog and Instagram —> breaks down into planning content and writing 6 blog posts, 6 emails, 13 IG posts or reels and at least 1 story per day.
Seek out accountability. I’m telling you, my friend on the internet currently, but I also told my husband and a couple friends what I’m aiming for this season. Knowing that I have others who may ask how it’s going helps me stay motivated and not get so easily derailed by living in a vacuum with only my own thoughts!
Evaluate & Repeat! Set a time to check in weekly or monthly and ask the evaluation questions from above. Tweak as needed. ♥
Here’s to living by design and not by default in the new year! Have you set resolutions or goals yet? What are your biggest home or life challenges right now? I’m here for you, friend and can’t wait to help!
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