If you’ve been in my community for a while, you know that one of the key components of my work is the absolute necessity for practicing self-care. Building a solid foundation of practices that support you for ease and joy in navigating this world is critical for your health and well-being. My first book, Smart Self-Care for Busy Women: 20 Lessons for the “Me Time” You Crave, gives practical tips for how to make this a priority in life.
Since I started designing and selling jewelry that honors Sacred Celebrations, I’ve come to understand just how important surrounding ourselves with beauty—and specifically adornment—is as a part of practicing self-care!
I was recently interviewed by Fallon Jordan for her Home & Life Design Summit. We talked about a myriad of things, but the idea of adornment as self-care (be sure to sign up here to catch my interview which will come out on Sunday, Oct. 23rd) was a critical part of our conversation.
Adornment is the act of decorating or enhancing your body or your spaces. Surrounding yourself with beauty and beautiful objects is a wonderful way to love yourself. When you make a conscious choice to place things on your body or enhance your environment with items that bring you joy, it changes your energy.
Depending on your interests, this could look different for different people. If you are a world traveler, you may choose to adorn your home with objects from your travels overseas. If you love gemstones and jewelry, you may choose to wear gorgeous earrings, necklaces and bracelets. If you are naturally connected to nature, you may fill your home with plants and animals.
I had a girlfriend from Houston visiting me in Asheville this past weekend. It’s the peak of fall foliage and we immersed ourselves in the beauty of Mother Nature. All weekend, we were both grinning from ear-to-ear. Certainly, the joyful company, far too much chocolate, and rich conversations contributed to our giddiness. However, we both talked about the energy we derived from immersing ourselves in beauty…the gorgeous mountain views, the brilliant leaves changing color, and warm sunshine beaming down on our faces.
Here are four ways you can practice smart self-care with some simple adornment.
1. Adorn your office
Since you spend many hours a day in your office, it’s important for it to feel good when you are there. Choose furniture that is aesthetically pleasing. Place books and artwork where they will inspire you. Install beautiful lighting, a water fountain, or place a vase of fresh flowers every week to lift your spirits.
2. Adorn your body
Wear makeup, choose brightly colored clothes, fix your hair, and choose jewelry that makes you happy. Personally, I have always loved jewelry. But now that I have my own jewelry line, I’m even more intentional about which gemstone bracelets I choose to wear every day!
3. Adorn your bedroom
Sleep under bedding that looks and feels luxurious, hang beautiful art on your walls, and decorate your dresser with anything that makes you happy including photos of loved ones, crystals, plants, etc.
4. Adorn your garden
Vegetables and flowers have a beauty of their own but some of the most beautiful gardens also have an extra enhancement. Add stepping stones, a sitting bench, or garden jewelry. Metal and gemstone sculptures of dragonflies and frogs are my personal favorites!
How do you like to adorn yourself or your spaces? Comment and let me know!
XO
E.
P.S. It’s not too late to sign up for the free online series, “Home & Life Design Summit: Empowering Families to Deepen Their Connections Through Harmonious Spaces and Open Communication.” Remember, my interview will be released this Sunday, October 23rd. If you listen to it, let me know what you think!
P.P.S. The photo above with everyone wearing the green bracelets was from a women’s business networking retreat a few weeks ago where the facilitator gave everyone a custom Sacred Celebrations bracelet as a gift and talisman of their time together. If you would be interested in something like this as a gift for a group of women that you know or work with, please reach out. We can create something special for your book club, friend group or women’s retreat!