Making Space for Rest
I’m sure you have heard it said that one of the best places to find rest and renewal is to take a walk outside and enjoy nature. I wholeheartedly agree with this, but mostly because I get tired of looking at the mess that often has taken over so much of my home.
You see, I am a mom of three young kids. And in every single room, there seems to be evidence of this fact.. So in order to rest indoors, it would most likely have to be with my eyes closed, or at least with a book in my face, as otherwise I am viewing a kid-sized disaster from every corner of our home. Maybe you too live with those who are organization-challenged, whether it is children, a spouse, siblings, a roommate,or even yourself.
Since I love my children and understand that their mess is just proof that they are trying to live life to the fullest, it might seem that I’m out of good options. And while I do hope that they learn to clean up after themselves, and it is something we practice daily, I need to find other ways to cope in the meantime so I’m not ending each day exhausted. Here are a couple of tips that I have found helpful.
When the mess is overwhelming, start by focusing on just one area. Maybe it is your bedroom, or another favorite room in the house. If you can get one area cleaned and organized in a way that invites rest and is comforting to the eyes and mind, you will find it puts your body at ease and can give you motivation to tackle other areas later on. A good goal for cleaning is to start small, and then work your way up. Seeing your success in the little areas can help you know that it is possible to achieve these same results in other spaces as well.
Another way to invite rest is to focus on what you really need to have in the first place. Maybe it’s time for that toy your kid hasn’t played with in three years to find a new home. Or that book you really don’t want to reread to find a new shelf. There is something wonderful about decluttering your home that invites rest and peace. Owning more than what we need just creates more work for us as we have to keep exerting energy to manage it all, which can become very time consuming as well as exhausting.
By taking the time to create a space that is free of clutter, and well organized, we are inviting rest to be part of our daily lives. We are giving our brain what it needs to pause and reflect without being distracted by the mess and the constant tug that many feel to bring order to the chaos. If you have been finding rest elusive lately, creating a space where it is more likely to happen, may be a great place to get started.
Challenges/Points:
Sometimes rest in our daily lives is hindered by clutter or messes we are surrounded by.
If the disorder around you is overwhelming, focus on one small area that you can improve. When you are able to rest in that space, it often leads to the motivation needed to tackle another area.
Donating, selling or getting rid of items you no longer use can contribute to restfulness as you will expend less energy managing unneeded possessions.
Questions:
Is it easy for you to view your home as restful? What factors contribute to those feelings?
What is one area of your home you could focus on organizing and creating a restful space?
Are there any items in your home that you no longer need? How could parting with those things help create more rest in your life?
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