Owning your space - retaining positive autonomy at home.

We spend much of our lives creating and curating spaces where we feel comfortable and secure. Our homes are the greatest example. We may move house regularly, or stay in the same property for most of our lives. Regardless of the time spent in any given location, we do our best to build a physical life for ourselves and our loved ones that is fit for purpose.

As life progresses, so does the purpose of our spaces. A playroom for young children becomes a home office when the teenagers begin to spend more time in their bedrooms or out with their friends. The garage morphs from a place for cars to a veritable sports and outdoor living storeroom. Far more than purely physical changes, it is our emotional investment in those spaces, and stages, that really brings a home to life.

With the inevitable passing of years, preserving that emotional investment, and in turn the enjoyment of our physical spaces, can become challenging. It may be a gradual realisation, or a response to a sudden change in lifestyle or situation, the thought process is the same.

You may have experienced returning home after a few days away to really 'see' your home, rather than through the blinkers of familiarity. Perhaps it's the niggling moments of 'why am I holding onto this', or 'when is the last time I used this'? Or witnessing an elderly relative begin to find it difficult to navigate a safe path around your furniture. These small moments are the early indicators of yet another change in your life - and being a step ahead of those changes is more significant than you may anticipate.

Taking a proactive approach to this change is a ideal opportunity to retain autonomy over your environment in a positive way. Rather than shedding items that encapsulate your rich and storied life, make space for them in a way that celebrates those moments. The focus here is on the retention of the meaningful in your own and your loved ones lives, at the same time releasing the items that are not of use or significance. Whilst the items you are moving on have served their purpose for you, they are likely to be of great use to another, either via sale or donation.

This approach not only benefits your immediate lifestyle and environment, it provides a strong pathway into future years. When you take control of your physical environment you are positioning yourself for a life based on intentional and meaningful curation, rather than excess or overwhelm.

The process of fine-tuning your belongings can be quite emotional, and time consuming. As with many daunting tasks, the journey is best taken with support, rather than alone. Working with a professional organiser positions you for success from the beginning. They will provide you with insights and systems to transform what may seem a formidable challenge into an achievable and enjoyable process. With a knowledgeable partner by your side, the path will not only be clearer and less stressful, you will arrive at your goal more quickly.

And what a goal that is. A safe and calm home environment that honours your most joyful memories, leaving space and time to create new ones.