When I lived in Bangalore, my home was just a post-work crash pad. Bed, mattress, cushions, bean bag, done. This is what happened – my entire after-work life collapsed into that bed. I was having my meals on it, working, and binge watching Netflix in very bad postures. I became a bed potato. I had backaches, my energy level went down and I became lazy.
Post COVID, I shifted to Dharamshala (after being spoiled by some thoughtful Airbnbs in Goa and McLeod) and that’s where I finally got it. Your home as in the physical space matters. It plays a key role in fostering the things you want to do. So we set up our home from scratch mindfully. Carpets, proper sofas, actual desks, ergonomic chairs. Deliberately NO bean bags and NO overbed tables because the ‘spine’ hates it.
The result was that we were working from our ergonomic chairs and desk. We only slept or read books in our bedroom. Dining and socialising happened in our cozy living room.
Here’s the process:
- Understand what function you want each room or space to foster, then design accordingly.
- Create barriers that make the behaviours you DON’T want inconvenient.
Like Designated offline spaces where you don’t use your digital devices = great conversations, reflection and deep thinking.
Designated charging points for phones = you are not charging it beside bed and scrolling
No TV in the bedroom = better sleep.
No overbed table = can’t work comfortably from bed.
Proper desk setup = you work with focus because you are not slouching.
A cozy living room = you spend more time with people face to face.
Your space is programming your habits every day. It’s time to rewrite that code.
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