Creating A Home Sanctuary

For me, making my home a pleasant refuge and inviting place to be is not about perfection. I used to be the woman who was always striving for perfection. Always trying to have the "perfect" home and be the "perfect" wife and mother. I went to extremes and I stressed myself (and everyone around me) out. Although, I do want my home to be neat and tidy and happy....I realized striving for perfection was not the correct route for me to be taking. I was constantly crabby and spent more time trying to keep things "perfect" than I did on focusing to make my husband and kids happy and loved. I realized I was being selfish. Trying to create an image of myself that was actually a lie. I was not perfect..and never will be. I realized that having a peaceful home was not about everything being perfect. It was about making our home a happy and loving sanctuary for my family.

To achieve a happy home sanctuary for my family...I keep up with some tasks that are small and simple and when done daily....keeps things running smooth and makes my home more peaceful (except for the kids running around...that kind of chaos is inevitable and welcomed!)

1. Clean & Peaceful
I try to:
♥ keep main living areas tidy and clear of clutter.
♥ keep things swept, generally dusted and cleaned (ie: wash fingerprints off windows and tv daily)
♥ keep up with dishes (I don't have a dishwasher)
♥ keep counters in the kitchen and bathroom wiped off and clean

♥ Keeping things tidy makes an area more peaceful and inviting. It creates a place where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings without added stress.


2. Visually Pleasing Decor
Keeping our kitchen, dining room, living room and main bathroom (the areas that time is most spent in) decorated well and pleasing to the eye makes for a pleasing and happy sanctuary. I, personally, like to decorate in the country prim look. I like to use antiques, jars, candles, baskets, and country items when decorating my home. My husband and kids seem to like this look...and I am happy to know it is enjoyed by us all. This makes me enjoy our surroundings and also helps me to desire to keep our home clean. :o)

3. Air Effects
Hehe...this is just my fancy way of saying that I like to light some candles around the house during the day or evening. Stimulating your sense of smell can totally relax you or bring back fond memories or help stimulate ideas. Some "air effects" I enjoy are:
♥ Spicy Scents (such as vanilla and cinnamon)
♥ Floral Scents (such as lilac and lavendar)
♥ Fruity Scents (such as spiced apple and pineapple)

♥♥♥I would love to hear of ways you enjoy making your home a sanctuary and invite you to make a post about it and share it with all of us!!! I am setting up a Mr. Linky here and would love if you all would like to link to a post (not your blog in general...but to the actual post) of how you describe making your home into a beloved haven for you and your family!!!♥♥♥