Visual Peace

The holiday season can be an especially challenging time to keep your home in order. No matter how much you simplify your relationship to the holidays there are always friends to visit, presents to purchase and wrap, cards to write, new recipes to try out. I know that I am especially good at leaving a messy ‘wake’ behind me this time of year as I move more quickly from one activity to the next. Creating visual peace is a wonderful way to regain your equilibrium.

Visual Peace

Creating visual peace is an easy and satisfying way to make a big difference in your home in a short amount of time. It is a simple process that can bring immediate gratification and build momentum in caring for your home.

Visual peace works from the outside in. Observing things that are purposely placed (especially when they’ve just been a mess) gives you an inner sense of wellbeing. Sometimes that’s all it takes to alter your mood and although creating visual peace doesn’t’ address the underlying problem of closets stuffed to overflowing, dirty dishes piled in the sink, a dirty floor, undone laundry, unsorted mail…just taking the time to create some visual peace can be motivation to go to these other more challenging places.

Let’s begin in the bedroom.

It takes about 3 minutes to transform the largest surface areas of a bedroom from messy to organized. Start by making the bed. Consolidate the piles of clothes into one. You could even toss them into the closet (please don’t tell anyone I said this!). If there are papers strewn about, pile them together neatly. Take any empty glasses or cups to the kitchen. Then stand back and look and say out loud, “Oh, how nice…this place is looking good!” Then take a deep breath and let out an audible sigh.

Next let’s move on to the bathroom. Take the sloppily hung towels and fold them neatly over the bars. Wipe out the sink and shine the faucets. Straighten the rugs and take a wet tissue and swish it around in the corners of the floor.

Now for the kitchen…first take all the dishes strewn about the counter and stack them neatly in a pile or put them in the sink. Ah, suddenly a clear counter! Next, clear off the table. Making space on these horizontal surfaces creates instant visual peace. Put the chairs neatly around the table. Oh, my gosh, three minutes of moving strategically makes a huge difference.

Notice that you’re beginning to be infused with energy. You’re gaining momentum. You’re starting to look for other things to do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve set out only to put the dishes in the sink and wipe off the counters and instantly gathered enough energy to wash, wipe and put them away. It’s like magic. How about making some magic happen in your home!