Living Simply October Challenge: Day 12 Atmosphere

     Today's challenge is to begin building a relaxing atmosphere in your space before the holidays hit. I don't know about you, but if I dropped in on my friends or relatives during the holiday season, I would find their home in busy mode. There's usually piles of things they don't have time to look through (like mail and magazines), stuff to be put away (laundry piles or baskets around), toys picked up but not put away (whether it be for their kids or their pets), a few pieces of clothing lying on furniture, shoes not put away, maybe a few pieces of trash not thrown out or put away (like a pizza box on a table or the half-eaten bag of chips). I'm not judging, my home was like that for decades. It's just the way most people live, busy, this time of year. So today, I challenge you to begin creating that relaxing, simple, intentional atmosphere in your own space.

1.  First, you need to get the room clean, whether it's your living room, bedroom (if you live with others who aren't minimalist or looking to live a simple life), dining room, or even kitchen, if that's the first room people see. Just set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can get done in one shot. If that seems too long, set multiple timers at 10 minutes each for picking up, cleaning, and doing the floors.

2.  Lighting. Does your living space seem cold and unfeeling? stark like a hospital? This is the time of year to add warmth to your home, to create a space that's inviting and relaxing - but not cluttered. Try adding a few new touches (using what you already own in another room or in storage, maybe borrowing or buying cheap from a flea market or Goodwill at super low cost). Try a table lamp or floor lamp instead of glaring cold overhead light. Add a few intentional candles - whether they're white and unscented, holiday colors scented like cinnamon or pine, or even just battery operated ones. After a long day at work or school, a room that's been dimmed showing off some flickering "mood lighting" can do tremendous wonders for your mindset as you unwind for the evening.

3.  Warm up space with one small throw blanket over a chair or sofa, or just a few throw pillows. Maybe it's putting a small placemat or runner on a table (depending on it's size). If the area looks stark, bring in a colored vase or bowl - with our without filling it. It can hold flowers, sea glass, colored rocks, or anything related to the holidays...even pine cones or cranberries.

4.  Could you bring in a small area rug on a tile or hardwood floor? We are heading into winter in a few weeks, so keeping the floor under your feet warm is a good idea anyway.

5.  If you have a fireplace, you could choose to use it, or else fill the void with stacked wood in a little triangle. Simple, yet it makes the room seem more inviting.

Whatever you choose to do, don't spend a lot of money. Think about it. Be intentional. Create that warm, relaxing, inviting atmosphere in your living space or spaces. And don't forget some relaxing music to keep handy to put on as well.