Why reclaiming the joy of home is very important when all around you is in suspension
Lynne is faced with an imminent court case following some nasty, outlandish goings-on in the commercial premises beneath her home, which she leases out. It’s been a long, uphill struggle, and the whole business has taken a lot of stuffing out of her. But her grit and tenacity in fighting these blighters single-handedly is finally paying off.
Lynn decided she couldn’t wait any longer for life at home to get better before living it to the full
Since her husband passed three years ago, Lynne has wanted to sell the magnificent old property they lovingly restored together to move on to a new chapter in her life. But the ongoing situation in the bowels of her home has prevented her from doing so.
In the meantime, apart from some decluttering and a new furniture acquisitions, the house is much as it was when they lived there together.
And this is why I would gently challenge her.
Don’t wait until you move to a new home to make a new start, live as though you have already moved on.
In other words, live your now, now?
After attending the launch of Hearth and reading the book, Lynne committed fiercely to herself to do just that. Read to the end to learn how living this committment changed her.
Here is her story, in her own words:
Authentically Lynne – reclaiming my home
My current Intuitive Vision Board speaks to me of rediscovering Happiness with a capital ‘H’ – in all its many guises.
‘H’ for rediscovering Happiness following the passing of Ted. Rather ironically, ‘H’ also stands for my House and Home, where I have been experiencing ongoing maintenance and legal problems.
While waiting for my court case to move towards a conclusion, I made a conscious decision after attending Mary’s book launch. I was not going to wait any longer until I moved house, I was going to make my home more authentically mine, NOW – as an expression of self and what I value most.
Contemplating this highlighted something rather important to me.
My home is far greater than the sum of its parts.
And the troublesome parts are small in comparison to the whole.
The water and leaseholder issues I am experiencing are just a small part of this glorious, ancient house that my husband so carefully restored. Yet they had come to overshadow, disproportionately, everything this wonderful building has given me over the last 30 years.
One day, all too soon, my home will find new owners, and I may never live in such a magnificent, unique building again.
And so I started making small tweaks to my home, to make it resonate more ME so I could really enjoy living here for however long I have left in this house – and for this to bring me happiness and joy now, right now.
So here goes… presenting Authentically Lynne!
These are the words I use to describe myself:
Pretty – as in pink, pearls, giggles and silver.
Creative – unexpected, fun, inventive.
Personal – an open door to groups and friend, speaking to strangers, kind.
Carefree – going barefoot, laughing in the moment, being flexible.
If you recognise me in these words, you know me quite well!
And these are the qualities I have used to express myself throughout my home.
My bedroom
I started by introducing pink, my story-telling and toys.
| My office in the eaves I took up a saw and hacked off a chunk of desk and turned it round so it would fit the gap. I brought in a carpet from another room and a plant. And I covered the chairs so they don’t look like the garden chairs they really are. I now have a place where I am happy to retreat to and work away from the rest of the house. Plus a place to receive visitors. |
BEFORE
AFTER
My kitchen and family room
I’ve added more pink and created a greater sense of space in the open-plan kitchen/family room.
I swopped a large painting of a male jazz saxsophonist (which was Ted’s favourite) for a painting of a glamorous, fun woman that I love.
The plants have been rearranged too.
My sitting room
I’ve added a cover to the rather stained sofa, rearranged the cushions, moved large paintings around and other small changes.
I wanted a circle of chairs where I could share evenings with friends and family.
I just love it – all of it …. and here’s what’s shifted inside me
Now that I’ve made these changes I feel differently in myself as I attend the court.
Sorting the home to my satisfaction, prior to the court case, has helped me feel in control and brought me a renewed confidence in myself.
Now that my home expresses the very essence of me throughout, I feel the vibe: ‘I am a good, honest and fair person’. Breathing this in brings me a genuine feeling of power and authenticity.
And a final word from me…
Oh, Lynne, how I love what you’ve done!
Not simply the pink, the rearranged furniture or even the way you took the saw to your desk – but the decision to stop allowing the difficulties beneath your home to overshadow the joy and happiness of living in it.
You’ve reclaimed your hearth, your heart and your home. And, in doing so, reclaimed the totality of yourself. What a wonderful example of how making changes to our external environment can impact how we feel on the inside.
And what better way for you to prepare for the court case ahead? Instead of venturing out each day from a home overshadowed by conflict, you now have a home that feels more authentically yours. A collaborative partner, offering comfort, pleasure and a place to return to replenish your strength – and, we hope, return jubilantly when the case is finally over.
Whatever happens beyond the front door, your home is be enjoyed NOW.
And isn’t that what creating sanctuary is really all about?