Comfort and Space

             

             Over the years I have found that I am highly affected by the space I am in. I am impacted by colors, proximity, spacial awareness, and the organization of the overall space. For me a huge piece of coping is creating safe and positive spaces for myself. I shared earlier in this semester about creating my space here at college by the way I arranged and decorated my dorm room so I don't feel a need to repeat myself with that but rather to talk about the things I need to create that safe and positive space for myself. As with everything depression and anxiety related each person needs different things to feel safe and positive. So this is just my list, perhaps you have similar needs or you have different needs to create your space. I often with this think about myself and my friends. Many of my friends are not worried about the colors, decorating, and set up of their room. They just roll with it and aren't nearly as impacted by the needs I have. For example my one roommate and good friend puts things on the wall but doesn't need an over abundance of colors to feel at home, its more simple. While my needs focus on creating a homey space with colors, soft light, and comfort. We both find our spaces comfortable and appropriate for our needs and wants. So like I said it differs for everyone. Below is a list of the essentials I need to create a positive.

1. Soft light- I can't do industrial overhead lighting. A dimmer, softer light that lamps give is what I need to relax and decompress from every day life. 
2. Filled Space, but not cluttered- there is a very fine line between filling a space and cluttering it. For me I need to have space filled, if there is to much empty space I feel lonely and overwhelmed by the large amount of space so I have to fill space, but not clutter it. I do this by filling space until I feel comfortable with the amount of empty space left in the room. For example I have a 4x5 space in my dorm room that is an empty space filled with only a carpet and nothing else. I am okay with that space and wouldn't want any more in it but it is not a large amount of space that I feel lost in. 
3. Texture- I need texture in my life, flat just doesn't cut it. I find it homey and warm when I have a variety of subtle textures, nothing crazy but enough to create depth. 
4. Color- Warm colors with a mix of cool colors. This year for my dorm room I have a mix of a warm gold and tan color along with a light green and teal. This allows for the relaxing cool colors to impact me as well as keep a warm positive feeling with the warm gold. Colors are everything for me. 
5. Plants or flowers- Having flowers or a living plant in my room makes things feel fresh for me. It helps me to feel alive and open to the newness and freshness of nature. 
6. Windows- I love looking out the window, writing or reading, with a cup of tea in hand. This helps me to relax and process the world. I always enjoy the chance to reflect in the comfort of my room observing out the window. There is something comfortable in the silence and observation that occurs. 

I am sure there are other things that are important to me but this is just a few. This is the last of my 30 day challenge posts. A new post will be coming soon to share the exciting possibilities of what comes next. Have a wonderful week and love life to the fullest. Each day is a chance to write a new chapter.