A Happy Place

Today was one of those days that I just couldn't get it together. I was working on a long overdue project this morning and was constantly interrupted. Every time I wanted to concentrate, the new e-mail bubble popped up on the bottom right hand of my screen and I just had to click over to read it so my e-mails wouldn't pile up like they like to do.People walked by my office glass door to say hello, occasionally walking in to tell me random things- "Let me know when you want to get that mineral powder you ordered." "Did I answer all your questions on the last e-mail?" "I have to fill you in on that training I went to" "Look at this text my boyfriend sent me!" "Will you take a look at this paperwork, it's in a different language." My husband text me multiple times about some Patti Labelle pies we just have to try, and so on....E-mails kept flying in that I responded to, I finalized arrangements for a catered lunch for a staff training I'm leading next week, responded to a co-worker who is not happy about said mandatory training, made some important calls I had to make, met a friend for lunch, broke the news about the death of a special person we have in common to an ex co-worker, made plans for a meeting with my volunteer group, etc. and long story short I didn't finish my project. I barely put a dent in it and I have to get it done this week.In amidst of my chaotic day I found myself looking up at all the things in my office that make me happy when I feel especially stressed. I caught myself looking directly above my desk at the framed picture of a lighthouse at dusk with the definition of success at the bottom. I glanced over at my bookcase with pictures of my friends and family. Most of the pictures aren't professional shots. It's the picture my husband and I snapped of ourselves while on our honeymoon right before we walked into the luau on our second day in Maui. It's the picture of my husband and I with each of our best friends right after we finished a day at the spa over valentine's day weekend earlier this year. It's the picture of one of my brothers and my sister making a funny face together when just before five years ago they didn't have contact with each other or any kind of relationship. It's the picture of my siblings and I posing after our sister's college graduation earlier this year, and so on. These pictures make me smile and I get to see them every single day.I recently had the opportunity to consult with a certified wellness coach (through a work health initiative project I'm working on). During our session, she asked me to complete a questionnaire on how I rate myself in different aspects of wellness. I learned that one's physical environment is a characteristic of wellness which I wouldn't have thought of before. It's the space that makes you feel comfortable, safe, healthy, and well. I happen to score myself pretty high in this category because I surround myself with inspirational quotes, pictures of loved ones, and items that remind me of people in my life I care for. Now, other aspects of wellness such as nutrition could use a lot more work in my life but that's a whole 'nother story :)Happy items in my work space include: A comfy office chair, a plastic mat for ease of rolling my comfy chair, a candy jar full of hershey kisses that I share with my guests, souvenirs that people I work with bring back from their trips, pictures of my loved ones, a lamp for days I want to work in a serene environment, a pair of house slippers, a textured foot rest, a picture frame of daily reminders for myself (pictured in this post), a wooden sign that says "Dream Big, Be Happy", a framed sign that reminds me that problems are like washing machines because they make us better in the end (it's a good one, I'll share it with you), a picture of Rosie the riveter and a reminder to be kind to one another on my office door.Your physical environment isn't limited to your work area. It's your home and your community too. Is the space you're in everyday a happy place? Is your home decorated the way you want it to be? Does it need some sprucing up? Do the items around you make you smile and feel loved? Do you need to find some time to de-clutter your space? What do you need to do to make your space happy and well for you?