Intentional Living for One(self)
This week's guest blog by Jessica Yatrofsky, a New York-based artist, author and minimalist, sparks a lot of joy for us. Jessica is an expert in creating mindful and manageable spaces. Through SjD Consulting, Jessica works closely with clients to make their homes (and closets) an extension of their self-care practices.
Our homes are an extension of ourselves, and how we exist in these private spaces says a lot about how we show up in the world as individuals. Practicing mindfulness and intentionality in the home is a beautiful opportunity to turn your attention not only to your belongings but onto yourself. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says “Whatever we put our attention on will grow stronger in our life.” Think of your life as a large garden and like all gardens, it requires a lot of sunlight and care.
Here are a few thoughts that will help you focus on living your ideal lifestyle and aligning with the ideal vision of yourself.
Identifying Your Ideal Lifestyle
It’s not unusual for people to struggle with identifying their ideal lifestyle. Assessing where you are and where you’d like to be is an opportunity to exercise excitement for what you intend to create in your life. I like to remind my clients, “If you don’t know where you are, you can’t know where you’re going.” Once you identify your goals, you are better able to envision what your future self looks and feels like. The basis for attracting aligned relationships and opportunities is first understanding precisely what your dreams and desires are. When you get clear about your intentions you can focus more consciously on building an environment that supports your ideal lifestyle.
Manifesting Your Ideal Home
In the KonMari Method, one of several modalities I practice with my clients, it’s suggested that you begin with your wardrobe. Recognizing you have an innate ability to connect deeply with yourself through your belongings, your clothing is a great way to take a look at how you are currently showing up in the world. What’s your current uniform? Is it aligned with your ideal lifestyle? Assessing your wardrobe allows you to review and revise what constitutes your standards for your ideal lifestyle. During this process what you need to let go of becomes natural and sometimes obvious!
Maintaining Your Space
As seasons change so do we. Likewise your home and tastes will naturally evolve and shift over time. It’s important to periodically check-in with yourself and ask the important questions: Am I living my ideal lifestyle? Does my home reflect the life I desire? Have I honed my ability to identify what I need to create a supportive space and mindset? Just like our intuition, if we listen, our house can tell us what it needs.
If you hold these thoughts in mind as you create your ideal lifestyle, you will continue to learn and recognize what you need to live a fulfilling life.•
Jessica Yatrofsky is the founder of SjD Consulting. Jessica is a certified KonMari™ consultant and lifestyle coach focusing on aesthetic and creative-inspired living. She received her MFA from Parsons the New School for Design and published her first photography monograph with powerHouse Books in 2010 and her second photography monograph in 2015. Jessica’s photographic work is part of the permanent collection with the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art and the Museum of Sex. You can follow her at @yatrofsky or @sparkjoydwell, or book an at-home session at SparkJoyDWell.