Wikipedia tells me that in ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings, transitions, time and endings. He’s usually depicted as having two faces and it’s thought that the month of January is named after him.
The month of January often feels like a time of endings and beginnings. Of reflecting on the past year and planning for the year ahead. Who am I becoming? How do I want to live? What’s working for me? What do I want to change?
As we pack away the Christmas decorations perhaps we feel a little ‘out of step’ with our home. “I’ve always loved yellow but now I’d like to paint this room a new colour.” “We hardly use this room – why is that? Let’s try and move the furniture around……” Or, perhaps after our experiences of 2020 – “We really need a dedicated home study space!”
Our lives are continually changing. Some of these changes are smooth and evolving. Sometimes we experience changes that are sudden and explosive.
January is a great time of year to complete a mental assessment of how well your home is meeting your current needs.
Firstly, have a think about the overall space of your home. Is it too big, too small or just right for you and your family’s needs? Is it time to add an extension or is it time to downsize?
Think about how your space is allocated. Do your largest spaces get the most use? Or are you finding yourselves jammed into living areas where you’re all bumping your knees and elbows, while there are other areas of your home that people seldom even enter? Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate how your rooms are allocated. Do you need that spare bedroom or would it be better used as a second living area with a sofa-bed for occasional over-night guests?
Now have a think about how your furniture is working for you. Can you fit everyone around your dining table? Are there enough comfy seats for a binge-watching session? Is your mattress helping you spring into action in the morning (or are those aches and pains telling you it’s past its due date)?
Lastly, reflect on whether your home brings you delight every day. Are you surrounded by colours and objects that make you feel happy, remind you of your history and aspirations, celebrate your achievements, and keep you feeling safe and relaxed?
Don’t worry about trends or the opinions of others. Your home is there to meet your (ever changing) needs.
January is a great time to do a little ‘life audit’ and make the adjustments to your home that will enable 2021 to be a fulfilling and smooth-running new year.