Flavia Guarino

One of the biggest depression triggers for me has been my environment. I still find that having a clean clutter free home provides that safe place away from the world to recharge. It is restful and relaxing. Those elements have often meant the difference between a peaceful mental outlook and a confused, disturbed and frustrated one.

Looking at mess, tripping over clutter and feeling clastrophobic in a dark and dingy environment certainly does not create the feelings of warmth and nurturing I needed to heal. I am even more aware of the ‘feel’ of spaces outside my home now. I really do lean towards wide open spaces, quiet and clean tidy places. I also avoid the really sterile places too.

My home is very ordinary and quite pokey but some of the things that have changed it’s ‘feel’ include:

• Bright splashes of colour in artwork on the walls.
• One or two practical wipe down pieces of children’s furniture-they’re bright and functional.
• Mirrors to throw the light around. They lean on the top of shelves and hang on walls.
• Pets! One dog and two cats. They are affectionate and cuddlyand relaxed. Especially those lazy cats! They are quite therapuetic for all of us. The fur does bother me a bit so our dog has a very short coat and all three pets live outside –and they have baths too.
• Gardens. Mine are simple and drought tollerant with a few flowering plants that provide an odd posy of cut flowers that we can pick and bring inside to brighten things up. I also planted a hedge of Callistemons along the driveway about a year ago to attrack the lorikeets. The way the house is positioned means that we can see Rainbow Lorikeets morning and afternoon from each window all along one side of our house. When they are not there we can still enjoy the bright red bottle-brush flowers. An added bonus is that I never water them and they still look great!
• I also have a couple of outdoor spots that I love with chairs to enjoy the gardens.
• Photos of us enjoying life that are framed and hanging. We see what we look like smiling and they are a constant reminder that everyday is not a bad one! I found with this one that what I removed was just as important as what I kept. I put all photos of anyone no longer living away. If they didn’t get tossed altogether they were put into albums otherwise they were just a constant reminder of loss and death.
• Music…my stereo is always on. Through the night too! If I wake I hear soothing and relaxing music. During the day I listen to 96.5 FM a family radio station or CDs that are positive in their content and tune. A definate fan of Casting Crowns and Good Charlotte at the moment.
• Open windows and curtains pulled right back to allow as much light in as possible. Fresh air and sunlight…
• Lots of lighter colours. In furniture, linen and curtains. Soft, neutral colours that are inviting to touch. Tactile accesories help too. Bowls of shells and candles are a favourite for me.
• My boys are both learning that some very noisy and busy activities are done OUTSIDE! And that quieter voices and activities are for indoors. I still struggle with lots of noise and activity when I am feeling a little more stressed than usual and being able to tell them that their chosen activity is too noisy or messy and would be better done outside is great. On the same note…with the warmer weather we love eating outdoors. They have a table and chairs outside which I love because we can just wipe it down and the dog licks up all the dropped food off the grass. Saves cleaning food off the walls and tiles and furniture inside…maybe I should consider the dog for that job too? Then again maybe not!
• Clean floors make a big difference. Not having things stick to my feet as I walk through the house is lovely. I do say that however, as I sit in my studio looking at the floor covered in chicken biscuit crumbs that Callum just up-ended on the floor! Little cherub.
• Good books to read. I have them lying around so that I can just pick one up and read from where I last left off. It’s just as easy to put them down too. Of course the reading is light and positive. Plenty of self-help books too.
• A bowl of fruit- I feel healthier eating fruit to snack on, the boys can help themselves to a healthy snack and it looks great. More colour!
• A functional cleaning area in the house with a cleaning caddy and everything that I need on hand to clean up things as they get messy and  in the same token there are plenty of bins so that rubbish is disposed of immediately. 
• I also love to change all my linen regularly. I love fresh clean towels and sheets…and the wonders of fabric softener!

Peaceful journey

Flavia

For more thoughts about depression go to the Mummy, Let’s Go!