We are (hopefully) used to being home more often at this point, but we naturally feel a little more down in the colder months. I am a homebody by nature, and I wanted to share some of my go-to methods and items for feeling comfortable at home.
Your Space
Whether you have your own place or half a bedroom, use what you have or invest in some affordable home products to create a comforting space that is all yours.
First off: clean your space
Even if mess does not bother you, a clean and organized space works wonders for your mindset:
- Fluff pillows (karate-chop them, trust me), remove and fluff couch cushions
- Remove any trash
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Declutter as you see necessary
- Take items off tabletops / shelves and dust them / wipe them down
- Dust / wipe down the cleared surfaces (coffee tables, shelves, desks) and anything else that needs it. Don’t forget to dust corners and baseboards!
- Vacuum
Lighting
My apartment does not have the best lighting distribution, but I purchased a couple of products that gave me more light options and enhanced my home’s atmosphere: Himalayan salt lamps and battery-powered tea lights. You can use these to add light to your home or create an atmosphere with their soft, amber glow in an otherwise dark room.
Aromas
I go pretty light on any room sprays, but my favorite for everyday use is an apple cinnamon air freshener. Not only is it subtle and homey, but it also reminds me of autumn!
If you are a fan of essential oils or interested in trying them out, you can get a nice oil diffuser for an affordable price, usually $10-$20. Some of my favorite essential oils to diffuse are lavender, orange, and juniper berry. I do not use traditional candles because that is the kind of thing that sets my OCD symptoms off. If you are comfortable with them, however, try out some small candles in your space.
Your Entertainment
I have my own personal library of books, movies, and music, but we have access to so much more, even from home. One of my top possessions that helped me get through lockdown that I still use every day is my library card. Using my card number and the PIN I had set up, I have access to a HUGE digital collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music albums, videos, and even films. Best of all: it is completely free. No overdue items (everything returns automatically if you do not do so manually), no risk of damaging items, no risk of losing items or their parts. If you do not have a library card, many public libraries offer free e-cards that you can use immediately after registering! Digital library collections grow more and more every day, so get signed up and see what is out there for you!
Since this is primarily a horror entertainment blog, allow me to recommend some fun horror comedies that are currently streaming:
- The Comedy of Terrors (1964); Prime Video
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); hulu
- Transylvania 6-5000 (1985); Prime Video
- Little Shop of Horrors (1986); HBO Max
- Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988); hulu, Prime Video
- Death Becomes Her (1991); HBO Max
- The Final Girls (2015); hulu
Self-Care
Self-care has been having a moment for a few years now, and rightfully so. We all have a general idea of what we can do to tend to our minds and bodies, but I wanted to share a few actions that have consistently worked for me:
- Put your phone away. I know, I know. However, I have made myself do this a lot more often lately when I feel myself falling down the rabbit hole of apps and social media. By making myself get up and put my phone down somewhere on the other side of the room and concentrating on something else, I immediately feel my mood and physical comfort improve.
- Get all the comfy things. I never have enough fleece throws or pillows. I switch them out every now and then, but my living room looks like a slumber party year-round.
- Turn it all off. I am very fortunate to live in a quiet area (not to mention on the top floor where I can leave my blinds open to my wooded view all the time). Recently, I have found that taking even just a few minutes to read, write, or just think without any electronics in my face really helps me clear my mind and focus on what I am doing and how I am feeling.
- Move around. Especially as someone with anxiety, I feel it in my body and mind if I have been inactive all day. Stretch, do some yoga, do some mild exercise, or go for a walk.
- Drink water! One of the greatest changes I have made in my health journey is drinking more water. Your body and mind will thank you for staying hydrated. There is not much more to say than that; just drink more water!
Cozy Drinks
Nope, not those kinds of drinks! I am no expert, but consuming alcohol while in a stressful situation like a lockdown or social distancing is not a good idea. In addition to your improved water drinking, try these homemade, comfy concoctions instead:
Pumpkin Cold Brew
- 1 packet of instant coffee
- 2 cups of cold water
- 1 tbsp of pumpkin spice coffee creamer (or vanilla creamer with a dash of pumpkin pie spice)
Empty your instant coffee into a glass, add the water, and stir. Drizzle creamer on top & add spices (pumpkin pie, nutmeg, or cinnamon) if you wish!
Chaider
- 1 cup of warm apple cider
- 1 cup of brewed chai
This one is super simple, but flavorful and delicious! Combine your warm apple cider and hot chai in a mug. I usually drink mine black, but try it out with some milk or sweetener. I have not tried this recipe cold yet, but I can imagine it makes the apple and spice flavors even more pronounced.
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Thank you so much for reading, and I hope I left you with some tips to make your home feel even more like home. I know I have said it before, but it has been a challenging year for everyone. If more social distancing measures or changes are to come, we can handle it. Stay safe, stay cozy.
Until next time,
Jordan
By Night 