Confession time. I finally got around to taking down my holiday decor this past weekend. We had taken some of it down but there were still bits strewn about the house patiently waiting to be tucked neatly away until next year.
So why is it almost the end of January and I am still dragging my feet? The weather. Don’t get me wrong…I love Oregon and the rainy season. But it’s the days when it’s so dark that takes a toll on me. It makes me want to just stay in my jimmies, tuck in with a hot cup of tea and a good book. Alas, I need to get motivated and I suspect some of you are feeling the same way! So here are a few tips, tricks and ideas to help you overcome the mid-winter blues and freshen your spaces for this lovely year ahead!
1) Declutter and letting go
After putting away your holiday decor, the house can seem sparse, cold and empty.Use this to your advantage! At this stage, it’s easier to clean and you have a fresh palette to start the new year with. Since the weather isn’t so great, now is the time to tackle some of those inside cleaning projects you’ve been wanting to do! Why live with things you don’t use and love seeing in your home? Let go of items that aren’t serving you and drag your energy down. Everyday take 15 minutes to go room by room and gather those things and donate them to charity.
2) Organize your spaces
Once you have decluttered your space, it is SO much easier to organize what is most important to you! When you put order to areas you use most often, it gives you a sense of calm and peace. Wouldn’t it feel wonderful to have that ease in your home? Most stores have containers, baskets, bins and the like on sale this time of year for just this purpose. So tackle the cabinet under the bathroom vanity, your linen closet, your clothes closet or your kitchen pantry. Again, work in 15-30 minute increments so you don’t overwhelm yourself. It doesn’t have to be done all in one day!
3) Let there Be Light
I love the rain here in the Pacific Northwest; it is the dark, dreariness that gets to me most this time of year. When there just isn’t enough natural light to be had, I make sure there is warm, soft glowing light in every room of my home at all times. Table lamps standard size and small, torchieres, sconces, and candles can all be used in corners, on countertops and in bookcases to chase the darkness away. Bringing in light creates a sense of warmth and welcoming.
4) Cozy it Up
There is nothing more inviting on a dreary day than snuggling into a comfortable little spot to read a good book or binge watch that series you’ve been dying to see on Netflix! Create that perfect perch in your space by adding soft, nubby throw blankets and cushiony pillows to your favorite chair or sofa. Place it next to the fireplace or the window with a lamp to read by, a small table for your cup of hot cocoa or tea and a small foot stool to put your feet up. Warmth and softness always creates a feeling of contentment and reassurance.
5) Get a Spring Preview
Snowmaggedon hit the Eastern seaboard and we are our usual wet and rainy selves here in Oregon. Winter may feel like it will never end, but there is a simple way to bring a bit of Spring into your home now. Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, iris and crocus are very easy to force indoors. Or create a small terrarium of air plants or succulents to hang near a window or on a shelf to catch and reflect light. Adding plants to your space reminds you that even the darkest, coldest winter will always melt away to a vibrant green spring!
Are you struggling with the mid-winter blues? What is your biggest challenge dealing with them in your home? Do you have ways of dealing with the gloominess this time of year? I would love to hear your tips and ideas! Please click the link and share them here! How do you deal with the Winter Blues?
