The Single Most Important Ingredient to Small Space Living.... MINDSET!!!

MINDSET- the key to being happy in your small space.

You might think the most important ingredient for a happy life in a small space is being organized, but you would be wrong. It's true that there are thousands (maybe even hundreds of thousands?!) of tips and products useful for small space living.... but all of these are only guaranteed to make life neater... not happier. The biggest determining factor of your happiness in every aspect of your life, including your small space is.... MINDSET!!!

To be truly happy in your space, you need to choose a new way of looking at your surroundings and your life. You need to feel confident, comfortable and contented in your home, no matter how long you intend to be there.. whether a few months, years, or a lifetime.

You need to embrace your small space COMPLETELY and CONFIDENTLY... NOW!

There are lots of reasons you might not presently embrace your space:

• You see your small space as temporary and therefore not worth much effort. "This is our 'starter home", "We want to move to a new area", "I'm only here for school/the job", etc. If you view your small space as temporary, and not worth any effort, you likely aren't living in harmony with it. Whether in a space for six months or six years, take pride in your small space. Settle in and live in harmony with your space and you'll experience all the beautiful wonders living small has to offer.

• You initially moved to your small space as a result of "difficult" circumstances. Maybe you downsized after a divorce or hard times. Perhaps high prices in your community limit your living options? If a difficult circumstances surround your living options, you might be harboring some resentment and don't yet see your smaller space as the gift that it is... the opportunity to discover to pare down your life and focus on what really matters and makes you happy.

• Keeping up with the Jone's... If your peers, friends, or even your mother keep insinuating your space is too small, then despite your desire to be content, you might have a nagging feeling that you "should" be living with more. When you allow yourself to feel judged and buy into the other peoples views, you deny your own inner peace. No matter how you got there, your future plans, or what your mother says... intend NOW to embrace your space completely. Do it as if your happiness depends on it.... because it DOES!

To change your mindset and embrace your small space, follow these steps:

STEP ONE: Open your mind to the concept that you already have enough space to live joyfully, peacefully and happily for the rest of your life. Allow yourself to believe that you ALREADY have all the space you need to be deliriously happy... and that no matter where you live now or in the future, you are already on the path to peace and contentment. This does not mean that you won't move someday, but if and when you do, it will be from a place of joy, not a feeling of lack. You can decide that you ALREADY have everything you need to be happy, right now, right where you are, for as long as you ever want/need/choose. This is the truth that your soul already knows and is trying to get you to discover... it's the reason you "stumbled" upon this article. You just need to realize it.

STEP TWO: Re-read STEP ONE. Especially if there is anyone in your life trying to send you a message that you don't have enough. They don't know what they don't know!!! Find me someone truly joyful, peaceful and happy... and I guarantee that person will not tell you the source of their happiness is square footage. And as for society's viewpoints... you don't have to look far to see that our"society" does NOT have the answers. Your joy and happiness is your truth to discover, no one else's.

STEP THREE: OWN your decision to live in a small space.

• DON'T ever apologize for your small space, or make excuses, or offer any disclaimers. When someone new comes to your home for the first time, if you find yourself wanting to provide an unsolicited apology for your small space... DON'T!!! Just offer them a generous welcome and leave it at that. What you DON'T say says more than anything else.

• DO affirm, often and unabashedly, that your small space has triggered a journey of self-discovery that is changing your life for the better. Share this journey with others. You might not know where that journey is taking you yet, but each passing day, you will gain clarity and discover more about yourself, what you love, and what brings you joy.

• DISPLAY your proclivity towards living small and let your space speak for you! I love celebrating small spaces... from my coffee table cottage decorating books to my "love grows best in little nests" pillow - I like to announce my love of small homes. I won't overwhelm my space with the message, but I do enjoy displaying "little" hints.

  
  

STEP FOUR: Work on your relationships! This includes your relationship with yourself!!! It's the space within that needs the most care and if you share your space with roommates or family, your shared dynamic will be the next biggest determinant of your happiness. Never believe it's the square feet around you that creates your joy, it's the energy that fills the within. There are 8000s.f. houses of horror and 300s.f. love shacks... the amount of happiness inside is determined by the vibe inside inside.