Your brain notices where you are sitting 🧠

Picture your favorite room in your house. Imagine yourself sitting there. What do you see? Why do you love it? 

When I posed this question in Calm Moms Collective earlier this week, I heard responses about the way a favorite room makes someone feel. It makes me feel creative, it feels like heaven, I feel so peaceful here, I feel credible in my office, I feel productive in my space. 

Now, what’s your LEAST favorite room in your house? What is it that you don’t like about that? How does it make you feel to picture spending several hours in that room? 

I’m actually cringing and sitting here typing with slumped shoulders when I think about the prospect of sitting in my basement for several hours. It makes me feel overwhelmed, uninspired, and not productive. If I tried to write this blog post in that basement, I’m not sure I could do it. I just don’t have the creativity, connection or calmness to write when I’m in an environment that doesn’t feel good. 

When you’re in a physical environment that’s cluttered, uncomfortable and overwhelming, your brain has to do a lot of work to process that.  Every time you enter that space, your brain will remind you that it’s a mess (thanks, brain), that you should do something about it (yes, I know, brain) and you have no idea where to start (ok, brain, I give up!! I feel totally overwhelmed now!). For me, that will also lead to a string of follow up thoughts about the many other things I should be doing but haven’t! And keep in mind, that the whole cycle happens every time you enter that environment, even if it’s subconscious. 

On the other hand, when you walk into your favorite room, your brain can stay focused on what you are doing at the moment. If I were to walk into my family room, I could sit down on the couch, set my coffee on the clutter-free table, flip on my favorite lamp (Kate Spade lamp for $59! I love Homegoods!), grab a soft blanket that’s folded on the couch, and relax. I could be productive, inspired, creative, or relaxed in that space. My eyes and brain have a place to rest, so I can do other things. 

If you have something important to do, I would suggest that you choose the right space. If that happens to be not in your home, go to the library or a coffee shop. Find a place where your brain can relax so you can focus on the task at hand. 

And if you desire to make that dreaded room better, start small. Today, remove one item that you don’t like. That’s it. Tomorrow, remove another item or add an item that you love. Slowly but surely make that room into a happy place.

PS If you are thinking about decluttering, grab this decluttering worksheet freebie to help you get started. Reach out to me if you need further help!