This month’s theme on the blog is self-love. I deliberately chose it as I think too many people spend time focusing on relationships with others, rather than developing a strong relationship with themselves first. Especially in February!
The 8 Dimensions of Wellness and Their Impact on Self-Love
To summarise, the eight pillars of wellness are: emotional, physical, environmental, social, intellectual, spiritual, vocational, and financial. Simply put, each of these areas directly contribute to our overall sense of wellbeing. They all work together, and there may be times where you feel generally well even if unfulfilled in one area.
If you’d like to read more about the dimensions of wellness, I have a previous blog post with some related journal prompts!
For this week’s post, I want to centre on the environmental dimension to promote a happy and healthy personal environment and self-care space.
Creating a Loving Home Environment for Wellbeing
There are a few ways to interpret “environment”. We could talk about how it physically looks, the atmosphere created somewhere, the general vibe. We could talk about your home or work, the places you go, or more generally the state of the planet as a whole.
As this month is centred on the self, I’m going to primarily focus on your home environment. Of course, some of these tips may translate well into the other aspects of environment!
To weave this with the theme of self-love, I have decided to narrow it down to developing your personal environment into a safe space that is centred around your needs.
How to Add a Personal Touch to Your Home for Self-Love
When I moved to England, I made sure to get an unfurnished house. I was in a privileged position in that I could afford furniture, and also had a lot of pieces donated to me by different family members. I did this so I could make a rented home still feel like my home.
I realise not everyone is in the same position as me, and furnished places might be more accessible. It doesn’t need to be a complete overhaul, but think of little decorations. Things that showcase your personality. Things that bring you joy.
Anyone that comes into my home comments on how it feels very me: I have plants and creative projects everywhere; I have leaves and sticks and bones; I have trinkets from my travels. You can tell the space is mine.
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What objects showcase the experiences you have had? What shows your interests, or what do you find beautiful and want to see every day?
How to Make Your Home Cosy and Comfortable
Cosy might mean something different to you. You might revel in clean and cold colours, you might prefer maximalism.
When I use the term cosy, I mean comfortable. I mean somewhere that feels safe – somewhere you could fall asleep and nothing bad would happen to you. Wherever this space is, it’s your space; it’s important that it matches your definition of cosy as much as you can.
For me, that looks like warm colours, natural-looking textiles, random patterns, art everywhere, lots of plants, and a never-ending stream of incense.
Whatever it is, you need to figure out what makes you feel at peace; what makes you feel comfortable; what makes you feel safe. You might not be able to customise extensively, but there will be little ways for you to customise your space and make it match your definition of cosy.
How to Bring Your Home to Life with Plants and Personal Touches
I talk a lot about the healing power of nature. Whether it’s spending time in it, appreciating it, or revelling in its symbolism. I think making your house, or your bedroom, feel alive adds a lovely layer of charm.
In my house, that looks like pots of herbs and houseplants. It looks like opening the blinds every morning to allow natural light into the space.
It’s also the seemingly chaotic mess – the unfinished art projects, the little notes that adorn my windowsill. My home reflects the energy I exude, the life that I live, and in turn feeds back into that energy. It’s a little microcosm of energy that I love existing in.
What brings your space to life will depend on your hobbies and interests. Think – what reflects the energy you want to have? What showcases your values and gives personality to the space itself?
Be Mindful of Who Enters Your Orbit: The Impact of People on Your Home Environment
A little more abstract than the objects I’ve mentioned in the previous points, you may want to also consider the people you allow into your environment.
I’ve experienced the uplifting aura of different people who appreciate the space I’ve created. They add to the warmth I try to create; they make it feel happy.
I’ve also experienced the opposite. People who put you on edge, who shift the environment to something uncomfortable.
I try to be very careful about who I invite into my home to protect the safe space I’ve created for myself. I want people to feel safe there, too, but at the end of the day, it’s my space and the most important thing is that I feel comfortable in it.
Reflect on who you let in and how they make you feel. Do you feel exuberant around them? Do you feel at peace? Do you feel like you can’t relax? I think presence can impact your environment, so it may be something worth considering if you want to ensure that your personal space and environment always feels imbued with love.
In Summary
- Add a touch of personality through trinkets, collections, art, or décor choices.
- Figure out what makes you feel safe and comfortable and adjust what you can to make your home match that.
- Bring some life into your home – either literally through pets and plants, or figuratively through showing that it’s lived in.
- Be choosy about who you let into your home.
I hope these tips help you create a more nurturing space for yourself. Do you think I’m missing any ideas? Let me know in the comments!
The Opaque Elephant 
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