INTRODUCTION
Stay Rooted
in the Present

Mindfulness is about being truly present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at that moment, anchoring ourselves in the present. We aim to be aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them, letting go of distraction and judgement. We usually focus on the past or the future, but with mindfulness, we pay attention to what is around us, things that we would normally take for granted.

So why not put some focus on your home environment? The layout, ambience and décor in your home can offer a perfect complement to the sense of wellness that mindfulness creates. It is our home, after all.

What does ‘home’ mean, really? While your home is a statement to all who visit, more importantly, it influences your mood and emotions. The vision of a beautiful house means something different to everyone, so it is important to be confident with your choices and content in what you have around you.

Often, we forget about what is really important in life, striving for perfection in an imperfect world. Mindfulness can help to right that wrong. In our homes, we have some amount of control over our surroundings and can decide what makes us truly happy – there is no need to follow a trend, decorate, or create a home set-up that doesn’t please you. If we look at the things that we own, decide what we need and make sure we have the key ingredients for a soothing base for our lives, then we can make a space that allows us to feel safe, be calm and create memories.

It actually doesn’t take much to give a space a radical makeover. A coat of paint or some upcycled furniture can make a huge difference, helping turn a room from a depressing environment to a place where you feel positive and productive. If this sounds a bit abstract, let’s take an example: consider the humble rug. The right choice grounds a space, adding warmth and acting as a focal point from which you can build. Rather than going for whatever someone tells you is ‘in’ right now, or grabbing something in a hurry because ‘it’ll do’, you can bring in some mindfulness: consider how the fabric will feel against your bare feet. Likewise, rearranging furniture needn’t just be about dragging things around; it can help you evaluate your space and think over what you really need from it.

If your space is making you unhappy, focus and reflect on what you love in your room and build your scheme around that. Making small, deliberate changes will help you feel content in your environment, and with mindful awareness you can become more alert to how to please as many of your senses as possible. This book aims to show you ways to manage your home into a delightful and comfortable environment.