Easy Reads That Improve Your Life

10 Small Things I Did To Make My Space Feel Like Home

We’ve all either been there or will be there soon enough- you have your very own space: your apartment, your house, your condo, your room, your van, your mobile home, your [insert type of home]. Whatever your space is, it’s yours! Now what?

If you’re anything like me, you see different types of aesthetics and you just can’t choose which one is your favorite- they’re all so visually pleasant, and your taste changes as quickly as Florida weather… In other words, you just can’t make up your mind! Well, luckily for you, I have done the legwork and trial and error to figure out how to make your space feel like home. Without further ado, let’s get onto the list.

Clean your space. This is a simple yet (often) daunting task. Cleaning up your space will bring you a sense of peace and relaxation. Being in a space that is free of clutter and filth is going to be reflected in your mental and emotional wellbeing. This doesn’t have to be done in one huge chunk if that’s not your thing- you can focus on one room, or area of a room, and just clean that one space. When you’re done, move on to the next spot. Making small chunks of cleaning a part of your routine will help you maintain a nice home. If that’s not motivating enough, you’ll need a clean space to start working on the next tips on the list 😉.
Donate the things that just don’t fit you. This does not include things that are sentimental- we’ll get to that later. Some things just don’t “fit” you- whether that be literally or figuratively. We all have random stuff that we don’t know what to do with; we don’t like it, we don’t use it, we don’t have an attachment to it, but we think there might be a chance that we use it someday. Yeah, whatever you have that fits that criteria, donate it! This will help shave down the number of items you have occupying your space, as well as help you narrow down you likes and dislikes- this the first big step towards finding your aesthetic!
Find some Pinterest Inspo. Now, don’t get too carried away with this part (I understand- much easier said than done)! Find what you resonate with and save/screenshot what you like. This is fun, so enjoy this part of the process!
Find the common ground in what you like. If you’re noticing a lot of your inspo pics include gold frames and wood elements, you know you like warmth in a space. If you noticed most of what you have liked is bright and white, you know you like things that look clean and simple. If you love the look of gallery art walls and eclectic furniture, you might go for a funky maximalist style in your home. Pick out the underlying key elements, and go from there!
Spend some quality time at your local second-hand shops. I am a huge fan of doing things in the least wasteful and most ethical way possible, and while you are trying to create a space you love, why not do it in a way you feel good about? Some of my absolute favorite items in my home have come from the Goodwill right down the road- including all of my decorations, which leads me to tip number six!
Get creative with your decorations! One of my current projects is creating a gallery wall above my work nook. It will consist of 9 picture frames (that currently have random photos in them) of varying sizes and textures that I got from Goodwill with some simple line art printed from home! This is a simple Pinterest hack that looks nice and is completely affordable (about $17 total- but who’s counting?).
Invest in your organization. Unless you’re a superhuman who naturally is perfectly tidy and organized and has no problem with keeping everything in their home neat, it may be helpful for you to invest in some type of organization for your home. My husband and I have an antique hutch that acts as a bookcase, shoe storage, and holds our random items that just don’t belong anywhere else. This one organizational unit basically saved our living room from being in a state of constant disaster.
Florals, florals, florals. I love the effortless look of flowers delicately placed around a home. However, I kind of suck at keeping anything but succulents alive. This is where fake flowers come in! I have fake flowers around the apartment (of course only in the most decorative manner). Flowers, whether real or fake, can make a space feel like it has just the finishing touch. I will honestly say that when my apartment was fully furnished and mostly decorated, it was the flowers that made it feel like home.
Bring in some different lighting. This is something that many people gloss over, but like florals and decorations, it can totally change the energy of a room. Edison lights, color changing LED light strips, cool lamps, a different light fixture, or even a different light bulb sets the atmosphere for the room. (As a tip, you may want to consider using whiter light for the kitchen and bathroom, and a yellower light for living areas such as the living room and bedroom.) This will help to change the mood of your living space and make it feel less sterile and more suitable for a living space.
Include your sentimental items in your everyday life. This doesn’t mean we have to use these items the way they were originally intended, but it does mean that you will be able to truly enjoy these items. If your sentimental item is something that is meant to be displayed, you’re in luck! Find a place that it is showcased nicely, and let it be enjoyed there. If it is something you use that is fabric, (like this t-shirt that was made into a quilt by ProjectRepat), you can use it, wear it, make it into something new, or display it. If it is something that is fragile and needs preservation, like a wedding bouquet, invest in preserving it to keep it as nice as possible- I promise you can’t put a price on keeping your special sentimental items in their best condition.

Bonus tip: Use texture to your advantage. Sheers, curtains, and blinds all bring a different tone to your living space. Accent colors, different aromas, and your own special pieces are what will make a space your own and make it feel like home.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get on Pinterest, get out to Goodwill, and make your house more than a space you occupy- make it your home.

How I Keep Myself Motivated: 6 Tips and Mindset Hacks

It is so normal for people to struggle with feeling motivated. Especially since COVID-19, my own motivation has plummeted. At least my motivation for what I thought I wanted plummeted. So, how do I keep myself motivated? Well, let’s start with what we actually want to do with our lives and let our motivation come from that.

I used to be a Type-A personality, but I will admit that it was more or less the result of the conditioning of the American public school system (and the fact that unless you’re a Type-A person, you will probably struggle a little extra). My motivation used to come from the pressure and demand I felt through my education, and my more creative and laid-back true-to-myself Type-B personality didn’t ever get the chance to shine through. I have always been an All-A Honor Roll student- not because I’m magically a genius, but because having anything less than an “A” terrified me. When I started doing online schooling (thanks to the pandemic), I began to understand the importance of getting enough rest and spending time with people who make me feel loved. With all this being said, it is clear that my motivators has changed my motivation.

How to feel motivated (by something other than fear or stress):

Find passion in what you do. Now, I can practically see you rolling your eyes through the screen, but this is the easiest, most effective way that you can find motivation in what you do. Although cliché, finding passion in what you do will inevitably translate into feeling motivated to do “the thing,” whatever that thing may be.
Stop doing what you’re not passionate about. This doesn’t mean that if you’re not passionate about laundry and dishes to stop doing them- this means that if you’re not passionate about your job, or you outgrew one of your hobbies, or if you’re generally dissatisfied with where you’re at in life, you have the permission and ability to change it- so don’t limit yourself. I was not passionate about one of the best-paying jobs I’ve worked thus far, and despite the opportunities it provided, I knew I had to move on for myself and find something I enjoyed. My mental and emotional well being is a key component of me feeling motivated, and I’m sure this is true for more people than just myself.
Have the mindset that the time will pass whether you’re productive or not, and you never get a moment back- so spend your time wisely! This mindset will motivated you to get your stuff done now and have your fun time later.
Understand the value of getting things done- you feel good about yourself, your to-do list, your space, your workload, your peace of mind- whatever it was that you needed to accomplish will be accomplished sooner if you start NOW! (or, at least when you’re done reading this post)
Your time is valuable. It is worth more than mindlessly scrolling through social media. Your time is worth your mental health and general wellbeing, so take care of that first and foremost.
You never get this day back- make the most of it! Not to freak you out and make you feel like you’re missing out on life if you’re not constantly elated- that’s just unrealistic. But keep in mind that you might miss your peaceful morning if you stay in bed. Your motivation doesn’t have to be centered around productivity. Your motivation is allowed to be something beautiful and peaceful, like the way the morning light shines in your home or the way the birds sing in the morning.

I hope these quick tips and changes of perspective as you view your day-to-day life and value of your time help you to feel motivated. Your worth is not measured by your productivity, but being productive can and does improve your life. Take care of yourself, and stay posted for your next quick read!

42 (Love) Life Lessons

Yep, that’s right! I’m getting married in 4 days. That’s in 3 days, 20 hours, and 56 minutes from the time I’m writing this sentence. In light of the major milestone I am about to cross over, I would like to highlight 42 things I’ve learned in 42 months with my partner.

Laughing with your partner is guaranteed to keep smiles fresh on your faces. Even if it’s over little things, laughing will put and keep you in a good mood. The best part? It’s contagious!
Make small gestures of affection frequently. For my fiancé and I, this used to look like little notes on a gum wrapper in high school. Now, it looks like blowing a kiss to each other every time one of us has to go to work. Whatever your little sign of affection is, keep doing it! I promise you, it does make a difference.
Try new things. When my fiancé and I first started dating, we were constantly trying new things, whether that was trying a food for the first time or going to a cool place in our area for the first time. When you first start dating, it’s easy to keep things fresh and new. As time goes by, however, it can be easy to get stuck in the mundane tasks and routines of your relationship. This is why it’s important to go out of your way to continue to date your partner and try new things every now and then.
Become a pro at making their favorite thing. Whether that’s a dinner, a date setup, handmade artwork, or literally anything else, become an expert in that thing! It makes your partner feel special when you’re “speaking their language.”
Use kind words. This one may seem a little obvious, but it is easier said than done. It can be tempting to say something witty or even downright insulting at your lowest moments, but be gentle and use kind words- this is your person, and you’re who they’re meant to feel safe with. Don’t jeopardize that because you wanted to say something in the heat of the moment.
Do something you don’t like, and don’t complain about it! There’s nothing worse than being with someone who just complains all the time. So, do something that you wouldn’t choose first if asked how you like to spend your time. Is your grumbler doing dishes? Mowing the lawn? Mopping? Making food? Cleaning out the trash can? Whatever it is, just do it- without the complaining! Plus, if you don’t complain about it, it won’t seem as bad as you think.
Flip your grumblers into gratitude. Going off of the last one, whatever it is that makes you grumble, find a way to be grateful for it. Is mowing the lawn really that terrible when you get to actually enjoy your yard afterwards? Is cleaning so horrible when you get to live in a clean space afterwards? Find ways to be grateful, and it’ll improve both your mood and your partner’s.
Thank them for what they do instead of scold them for what they don’t. Now, like everything else in relationships, this is within reason. If you truly are doing everything, it might be healthy to discuss the reevaluation of tasks within your relationship with your partner. However, if your partner truly is awesome but they just don’t do that one thing you’ve been wanting them to do, maybe it’s time to look at everything they do do (haha… okay moving on from the 4th grade humor). Appreciate all that they do for you already and focus on that instead.
Have a grounding point. For us, our grounding point is the church. Our faith is our foundation for our beliefs as individuals, and the support our church offers us as individuals and as a couple is what allows for us to feel grounded when we go through the roller-coaster that is life. For you, this may be spending time with close friends and family, or going to couples’ therapy. Whatever it is that helps you feel supported and grounded is what is going to help you become stronger as individuals and as a couple.
Admit when you’re wrong. This is another one of those things that is easier said than done. It is difficult to look someone in the eye and admit that although you so adamantly thought you were right, it turns out you were wrong. This is healthy communication and humility at its finest, and being able to be honest with yourself and your partner is the key to having your relationship run like a well-oiled machine.
Say you’re sorry. This is very different from admitting you’re wrong. Apologizing is vulnerable and not only admits that you were somehow wrong in word or action, but that you feel penitent for what was said or done. Apologizing also opens the door to further communication about the topic on hand, allowing there to be deeper healing and understanding from both parties.
Be considerate of your differences as human beings. While it can be exciting to feel so close and connected with someone, it is important to remember you are each unique individuals and won’t be the same, or even complimentary, in every way. The foundation to applying this as smoothly as possible to your relationship is to have a baseline of respect for them as their own person.
Don’t have an “it’s just how I am” attitude about your negative or hurtful ways. This is toxic to your partner as well as completely unfair to them. If you are unwilling to grow and evolve as a human being, you will likely stifle the growth of the person you are with. This is hurtful, so learn to grow as individuals and together.
Don’t lose yourself in the relationship. While change is healthy (as highlighted in the last point), it is important to not lose yourself in the relationship by changing yourself completely. While growing and changing over time, you don’t want to lose sight of who you are and what makes you unique.
Find relationship mentors. Yes, you read that right! Find people who have a healthy, long-lasting relationship and let them give you advice and tips on growing into a more mature and well-rounded adult and bringing those qualities into a healthy relationship. Of course take what they say with a grain of salt, because no two relationships are the same, but getting the general idea of how to be a good partner from someone you look up to can give you good direction in your relationship.
Have some fun! Don’t ever be too serious with yourself or your partner. Loosen up every once in a while and have some lighthearted fun.
Volunteer together. This truly does wonders for your relationship. Volunteering together builds a bond between two people who are partaking in a selfless action to contribute their resources- time, energy, and whatever else- to something they believe in supporting. This builds a beautiful relationship between the spouses, as well as with members of their community.
Set aside time and money for a date night. Even if it’s the same date night on the first Friday of every month, with the same pizza order every time, prioritize some down time with your partner. It is equally important to have peaceful, relaxing times with your partner as it is to do fun and new things with them.
If you feel unsure about something, just ask. If you’re not sure what your partner is thinking about a certain issue or how they feel about something, just ask them. It really is that easy.
Communicate your likes and dislikes. If going to racetracks is not your thing, but you’re totally down for a hockey game, just mention that to your partner! This is an easy way to open up the communication about what you each like and dislike, as well as find a balance between doing each other’s favorite things.
Learn their love language. This is way more important than a lot of people realize. Speaking your partner’s love language takes your relationship to a whole new level of understanding and communication. Don’t just take my word on this one- give it a try and watch your partner and relationship flourish.
Don’t go to bed angry. While this one is definitely cliché, it is a good rule of thumb when it comes to navigating issues in a relationship. Now, of course this isn’t going to work perfectly every time, but make it your goal to resolve any issues you can before you go to bed so that when you wake up you have a clean slate before you.
Remember: It’s you versus the issue, not you versus each other. Never look at your partner as the issue. Look at the problem at hand and work with your partner to fix it. This change of perspective will take your conversations about problems much further than any argument will.
Allow yourself (and your partner) to feel emotions fully. We don’t always feel elated, happy, or even neutral. As people living life and experiencing changes, we experience a wide variety of emotions. It is important to give yourself room to experience all of these feelings as well as give your partner the space they need to feel their emotions fully.
Nothing is off the table. Open communication is as simple as it sounds. If you’re in a committed, long term relationship with someone, it is important to be able to communicate about anything and everything without secrecy. It’s okay to have some sore spots- deal with them and heal through them as they come up.
Spend time with friends individually. This is definitely something I lost sight of at the beginning of my relationship. It is important to maintain other relationships- friendships, family bonds, whatever it may be. These help you keep perspective and remain well-rounded.
Spend time with friends as a couple. Bonus points if your friends are other couples so that no one feels like a third wheel (we’ve all been there- don’t do that to someone you care about). It is undeniably fun and fulfilling to hang out with people who just get you, as individuals and as a couple.
Consider each other’s goals in your own. This is something my fiancé and I are right in the middle of. We each have our own goals and aspirations that closely fit together, and now we are in the exciting stage of life where we are seeing how our goals actually concatenate with each other’s.
Be flexible. Life tends to do this thing where it almost never goes according to plan. This is what you make it, so make it a positive thing in your relationship, whatever “it” may be!
Make an effort to remember the things that are important to your partner. No matter how small or unimportant something may seem to you, if it is important to your partner it is worth making a priority!
Do some normal day activities with your partner. Whatever makes life feel boring would probably be more fun doing with your love. Grocery store trips feel like a chore for me, but when I run errands with my partner I find myself laughing and smiling much more than when I go on my own.
Don’t feed into drama. This lesson is really self-explanatory… Just don’t do it!
Patience is key. Being patient with your partner is important in your expression of your love and care for your partner. Being patient also allows your partner to feel safe being vulnerable with you, knowing that you give them the space to learn and grow with you patiently by their side through it all.
Continue to give your partner your attention. This is something that comes naturally in the beginning, but can slowly dissipate as time goes on. Make it a conscious effort to give your partner your attention. This can be in the form of asking them about their day or just listening to them talk about whatever is on their mind. Giving your partner your full attention communicates that you are present in the moment with them and that you care about what they have to say.
Give your partner admiration. Admiration for your partner is probably something that you continue to have throughout your relationship, but it is important to share this admiration with your partner through communication. Feeling appreciated and admired is a special experience that you can share with your partner as it goes both ways.
Don’t take the small moments for granted. Truthfully, you will never get any moment of your life back after it has passed. In your relationship, you want to treasure each moment and value the love you share through time.
Surprise each other with “Just Because” gifts. This can be a physical gift, a love note, a surprise date, Chinese takeout and a showering of words of affirmation, any combination of the above or anything else that floats your boat. Make it fun, make it random, and put a smile on your partner’s face. Like laughter, smiles are contagious!
Let them be your best friend first. Honestly, the key to keeping your relationship lighthearted and fun is to let your partner be your best friend above all else. This makes it easier to step back from the pressures you may feel about being a romantic partner and allow you to experience your relationship and feelings for each other fully and most authentically.
Stay active in your hobbies. While this isn’t the most significant lesson I’ve learned while being a relationship, I feel that it’s still an important one. Keeping at your hobbies is relaxing and allows you to center yourself. Recharging and feeding into yourself will ultimately allow you to be a better person and have more capacity to love and care for your partner.
Share the things/people you love with your partner. For me, this is definitely my cat- Mr. Professor is the love of my life. He is the center of my daily life, and allowing my fiancé to participate in caring for Mr. Professor bonds us. This may be letting your partner close to someone you love, or opening up to them about a hobby you are passionate about.
Be encouraging and supportive. Yet another one of those “obvious” ones. Being encouraging and supportive takes more than kind words- it takes action. Being an active cheerleader for your spouse requires time, energy, and dedication on top of those kind words. Having a support system can make or break a person, so think twice about pessimism!
Don’t compare your relationship to other people’s relationship. This is a huge lesson that is an uphill battle with social media being full of picture-perfect couples and families. Your relationship is totally unique and not even comparable to anyone else’s. Appreciate the special and unique bond that you share with your partner. There truly is no other like it!

And there it is, 42 (Love) Life Lessons after 42 months of being with my fiancé, from high school sweethearts to an (almost) married couple! As they say, time flies when you’re having fun with the love of your life (that is what they say, right?) As of this sentence we are 3 days, 18 hours, and 18 minutes out until the big day! Woohoo!