One of the greatest luxuries we can have, and the most elusive to find, is time for ourselves. Nearly every minute of our lives is programmed with family, business, or social activities.
To better handle our multiple responsibilities, we need time each day to retreat to our own private place, where we can restore our tired bodies and souls. We must not wait until we find the time to go to a spa or hotel retreat. Get in the habit of taking time to pamper yourself. Here are some ways to create your own divine personal retreat inside your home.
Eliminate Clutter. The first step to decorating a peaceful haven is to eliminate annoying disorder, like stacks of stress-provoking paper clutter. Discard dated material. Important papers should be filed in drawers or individually covered wicker file boxes. Magazines and other reading material can be attractively stored in decorative chests. Find pretty and practical solutions for keeping your paper collection undercover. OR make a habit of recycling magazines and other reading materials to Friends of the Library as soon as you have read them.
Pamper Yourself in Sleep. Be aware of distracting lights at night does the clock glow too brightly? Is there an street light outside you bedroom window that keeps the room from being dark? Blackout shades will solve that issue! There is hardly anything more restorative than a good night’s sleep, enhanced even more so if followed by a leisurely morning in bed. Treat yourself to a glamorous setting that promotes lingering, so every day you can wake slowly to the joys of a new day. Tufted headboards, down comforters, plump pillows and romantic bed ensembles are just a few of the luxuries that can make your mornings more beautiful. Even the artwork can help make the space more cheerful.
Create a Cozy Corner. Losing yourself in the worlds created by novelists is a wonderful way to escape from your daily routine. Prepare a quiet, cozy corner for uninterrupted time to read the latest bestseller or revisit a favorite book. Comfortable seating, proper lighting, and a handy table for books and beverages are essential furnishings. Consider a decorative folding screen for extra protection from outside distractions.
Make a Place for Beauty. There are certain routine aspects of life that have a tendency to wear us down. One such activity faced by women is the daily beauty regimen. Imagine how much more appealing the morning’s ritual would be if you were sitting on a boudoir chair, before a lovely vanity table, with a large mirror and the appropriate lighting.
Reflect in Luxury. Soaking in a tub is a glorious way of unwinding. Create the perfect bathroom grotto ambiance with plants, candles, scented soaps & oils and soft ethereal music. Warm up the tile floor with a lovely chenille rug to match your luxurious bath sheets. The ultimate finishing touch would be a fabulous chandelier on a rheostat for soft night light.
Soothe the Soul with Music. Every once in a while you need to force your active mind and body to slow down. One of life’s greatest delights is listening to music. Music inspires a range of emotions, but one soothing suggestion is the sounds of Chopin, Debussy, or Pachelbel. Their good-for-the-soul sounds make a soft background for reflecting and meditating. Keep CD’s of your favorite artists close at hand for even just a few minutes of listening time. Or us it as background to other activities.
Let Creativity Flourish. If you find peace in recording your life in a journal, pleasure in watercolors, or dream of writing a blockbuster novel, you need a solitary place to pursue these creative endeavors. Have everything at hand when the mood strikes. Whatever your style preference or budget allowance, you can have the perfect creative accessories.
Find Time for Peace and Quiet. Finally, to complete your serene setting, shut down the computer, switch the phone to voice mail, and turn off all the bells and buzzers. The absence of extraneous noise will allow you to get the most out of your personal retreat time. Even if you can just steal a few minutes at a time, it will make you feel better!
Karen Hartley is an Interior Designer with over 25 years of experience in West Georgia. Karen can also be reached at (770) 459-9096 or by e-mail.
