9/5/18

Change in the Seasons, Change in Interiors

Last night, for the first night in a long time, I found myself crawling out of bed in search of a second blanket. The air was crisp and sharp, I could taste it on my tongue and recognized familiar goosebumps as they popped up across my limbs. I tip toed to my dresser where I found a thick pair of sweatpants, and then pulled from the shelves a large fleece blanket to extend atop my duvet. Snuggling back into bed, warming up from the first chill of the upcoming season, I felt ready for the change.


Our lives move so quickly that, if we don't actively choose to take a break here and there, then we truly miss what's going on around us. There is so much more to our lives than coffee (shoutout to coffee: I still love you, I'm just trying to make a point here), deadlines, Netflix, aspirin, the morning/evening commute, and so on.


While we maybe can't pause every day or every month, we can certainly pause each season. If you pay even just a little attention, the seasons will teach you their rhythm. Each season has it's own way of announcing itself and these reminders are like a tap from the universe, asking us to look up, slow down for a second, and breath in the new air. And while not every part of the world has typical seasons, with regard to the weather, there are so many other indicators that let us know "hey, we're shifting." From which foods are fresh, to the holidays we celebrate, to the clothes you see in the shops (even places like LA sell sweaters in the fall), it's there.

With the signs all around us, it's nice to take the universal changes a step further and create your own, personal rituals.
For me, I have three standard rituals, each season:

  1. Select a few wardrobe additions: This doesn't have to be extravagant. Even just two or three new pieces, can make a big change to not only how you look, but how you feel. 
  2. Bring in Seasonal Foods: I'm a pretty picky eater but even something as simple as eating potatoes and citrus fruits in the cold months, and devouring berries and tomatoes when it's warmer, can make a big difference to your mind (and your digestive system).
  3. Interior Swaps: You JUST KNOW I wouldn't write an entire post without talk about interiors! And this, THIS, is obviously my favorite ritual of all.
    Updating your interiors with the change in season can do so much for your mood and your mind. Plus, it makes everything feel fresh again (even if these are items you just swap in and out, year after year). Below are a few suggestions for you to pick and choose from:

    • Change your Duvet cover and/or sheets: lighter colors and prints are great for the warm months, while a rich, dark print or solid can add warmth in the cold months.
    • Change your towels: Same as above, light for warm months, darker for cool months. Sometimes just changing out a couple hanging hand towels will do the trick, so long as your other towels are neutral enough and/or white. (You can never go wrong with a white towel, n-e-v-e-r).
    • Update Photos: You know all those great photos you took this Summer? Go print a few and update your frames. While some framed photos are meant to never be changed, there are so many more that would benefit from and update here and there.
    • Decorate for the holidays: I mean it! Nothing gets us in the flow of the seasons quite like appropriately placed twinkle lights. And while not all seasons are as rich with holidays as the fall and winter, there is always a little something we can do to regard the days as they come. Maybe this feels a bit cheesy to you, but I assure you that if you do it right, it won't feel cheesy... it will just feel like, home.
    • Bring in Plants or Florals: When it's warm, fresh cut flowers will brighten your home, but as the seasons cool, you may want to trade those in for succulents or other low maintenance plants that you can nurture indoors until the sun shines again.
    • Paint: If you own, you have the option of painting whenever, wherever, so why not take advantage? Take your white living room, and give it a mocha accent wall. Or maybe take that little powder room and finally paint it a bold charcoal. While it's more complicated than just buying a couple planets, it's not so complicated that you couldn't do it in an afternoon (and the results will have your head spinning...in a good way!)
L

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