New Normal

Almost overnight Covid forced us inside our homes more and inside our minds. With this “new normal” we are all spending more time at home. Therefore, functionality, organization and proper lighting in our space is more important than ever. Our homes are now our offices and classrooms and this could be the new normal for many for a long time to come. So creating zones that help support focus, productivity and creativity are critical. Live meetings are allowing people to see what is in your background so what do you want people to know about you (if anything)?

Remote learning and working need a space that is functional and organized so you can manage materials, focus on work and allow for productivity and motivation. How do you achieve this yet have it still feel like home? Each room and furniture piece should provide functionality for your lifestyle.

If this shift has taught us anything is that our homes should be our havens. A place of refuge and solace. Start by trying to understand your space and how you want things to function and feel. Creating zones for where you do things is important. And no matter how big or small your space is decluttering and organization is essential. Our outer world really is a reflection of our inner world. A messy space where things aren’t where they belong when we need them creates stress and anxiety. Everything should have a place. And everything should serve a function or have meaning. The easiest thing to do is start with one small area, even if it is just a drawer and ask this question for each thing contained in there “does this belong here?” Then just one drawer, one closet and soon one room at a time things will feel more clear, organized and functional.

Proper lighting is another important layer in a healing space. Replacing lamps (light bulbs) that are burned out is the first step. Then make sure all the colors are uniform. I have been in so many spaces where there is cooler temperature light in one room and the next room super warm. There have even been times when I see 2 different colors right next to each other. Harmless as it may seem, it can totally affect your mood, mind and circadian rhythm and therefore sleep. You want to get a color high in CRI-Color Rendering Index. Think of it in grade school terms- 100 being the best….and in light quality it is truest to color in natural light. So a lamp (light bulb) should be 90 in CRI or higher. Finally, ask yourself, “what am I lighting”? Tasks, features and safety are the 3 things to consider.

Again remember our outer world is a reflection of our inner world and everything has energy.