Can Changing your Physical Space Make You Feel Better?

Juliet Kuehnle • April 24, 2022
A woman 's face with the words can changing your physical space make you feel better

Try this with me: Go into the room where you spend most of your time and look around. What do you see? Hear? Smell? What is your eye drawn to as you take it all in? Do you notice anything that creates annoyance or stress in your body? Does anything evoke a positive memory or even a smile? Do any judgmental thoughts come up about the space or yourself?


Our everyday environment and the physical space around us have a significant impact on our mood. This is very individualized as one of you may feel very relaxed in a dark, moody, and well-lived-in room while others feel more ease in an open, light-filled space. One thing the research does agree upon is that for most people, living amongst physical clutter incites more mental chaos. Perceiving clutter literally stimulates the production of stress hormones. Knowing we can have a physiological response to disorder and messiness, it helps to find a balance – finding a way to have things that we value and not be obsessive about cleanliness and ensure that our things have a place and actually hold meaning for us.

We can get used to what is around us and have a decreased response to something we are used to seeing or experiencing. In psychology, this is called habituation, and this can include “tuning out” the pile of laundry that is always on the bedroom chair, for example. Even though your dismissal of the overflowing pile of clothes may not be in your conscious awareness, the visual and what it represents can still take a toll on your mental health and influence your mood. It represents tasks undone and some level of disaray.

We can work to identify our automatic thoughts and learn to reframe them if they are not helpful. For in- stance, if seeing the dirty dishes in the sink brings up thoughts of not being good enough or never having a house like you see in the magazines, perhaps you can meet that thought with a more compassionate one: “I’m doing the best I can and will ask for help when I need it.” Or, you can start framing your kids’ game pieces that are still on the floor as memories, not messes.

Beyond awareness of how thoughts about your physical space make you feel, here are some other tips to try in your physical space to enhance your mood:

  • Spend a short amount of time each day working toward organization and de-cluttering (tidy space = less mental overwhelm),
  • Increase the natural light in your room and con- sider bringing nature indoors with fresh flowers or plants,
  • Tap into your senses and identify what evokes positive feelings for you. Perhaps there is a spe- cific color that induces joy and you can include that color palette around the room, with paint or decorative objects with that pop of color. Perhaps there is a scent that is soothing or elicits positive memories, and you can light a candle,
  • Pay attention to how the lighting in a room im- pacts your mood. Sometimes we need a bright- er space for more motivation and clarity, while sometimes we may yearn for a space that is dim- mer in order to feel cozy and relaxed,
  • Lastly, the objects that are in your room can make a big difference in the feelings they evoke. Find items that bring up positive memories and feel- ings of nostalgia, connection, and gratitude.

Christie's Handbags Online: The New York Edit

June 4, 2025
HERMÉS, CIRCA 1990S Estimate: $100,000-200,000 NEW YORK - Christie's is pleased to present Handbags Online: The New York Edit , a curated selection of handbags from Hermés, Chanel, Dior, and more. Bidding will be open from 4-17 June, with highlights on view at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries from 6-16 June. Leading the sale is an exceptional Rare Sterling Silver Mini Kelly (Estimate: $100.000-200,000). Produced in Mexico in the 1990s, the original solid sterling silver design is among the rarest handbags in the world. Additional notable highlights include a Bleu Marine Diamond Kelly 25 (Estimate: $100,000-150,000), and an Hermès Special Rdition 706 Madison Kelly (Estimate: $35,000-45,000). This exceptional piece, created to commemorate the opening of Hermès Madison Avenue flagship, features intricate leather marquetry inlay inspired by the Hommage á Gene Kelly scarf design. This season's sale offers a captivating blend of whimsy and timeless sophistication. designed to appeal to collectors at every level. A standout feature is a magnificent single-owner collection titled Sculpted Ions: Handbags From the Vault of a Discerning Collector , showcasing exquisite examples from Schiaparelli. Chanel, Hermès, and Fendi. Among the highlights is an Orange Crocodile Diamond Kelly 25 (Estimate: $100,000-150,000), noted for its bold color and precious detailing. For the first time at Christie's, a selection of bags by Schiaparelli will be offered. The group includes four striking designs, with estimates ranging from $1,000-6,000. Highlights include a Crème Leather Bijoux Secret Top Handle Bag with gilded brass and enamel hardware (Estimate: S4,000-6,000), and a Black Calfskin Anatomy Jewelry Bag featuring enamel and hammered gold brass accents (Estimate: $3,000-4,000). Auction Information : Click Here ALL IMAGES PROVIDED BY: CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2025 Sale Highlights

The Cigar

June 3, 2025
ACCLAIMED AUTHOR AARON (SIG) SIGMOND HAS DONE IT AGAIN. HIS WRITTEN KNOWLEDGE (NOW NUMBERING AT OVER 20) ON NUMEROUS TOPICS INCLUDING FINE MECHANICAL TIMEPIECES, HOTELS, AUTOMOBILES—ALL OF WHICH FALL WITHIN THE SOMEWHAT VAGUE “MEN’S LUXURY” CATEGORY—CIRCLE BEAUTIFULLY BACK TO ONE OF HIS FAVORITE SUBJECTS, HIS LOVE FOR CIGARS. AN ACCOUTREMENT THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF HIS LIFE SINCE COLLEGE.

A TASTE OF THE AEGEAN ARRIVES IN WEST PALM BEACH: INSIDE THE NEW ESTIATORIO MILOS

June 2, 2025
There’s a new jewel sparkling along the Intracoastal in West Palm Beach—and it speaks fluent Greek. Estiatorio Milos, the acclaimed seafood-forward restaurant helmed by legendary chef and restaurateur Costas Spiliadis, has opened its thirteenth global location and second in Florida, bringing the breezy sophistication of the Mediterranean to the heart of South Florida. Nestled within the sleek, waterfront One Flagler tower, Milos isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-sensory journey to the shores of Greece. Step inside, and you’re immediately transported. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a soft palette of natural materials, and thoughtfully curated art create a warm, contemporary atmosphere. Designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners, the space is as much about serenity as it is about style. Pentelikon marble, warm oak, and textured stone echo the materials of Cycladic islands, while an open-air terrace fringed with greenery brings the outdoors in. A dramatic staircase, a signature design element across Milos locations, provides a striking focal point—modern yet rooted in classical influence. But of course, the real story here is the food. Milos is revered worldwide for its dedication to purity of flavor and ingredient integrity. Each morning, whole fish is flown in directly from the Mediterranean—snapper, lavraki, dorade—then displayed on ice for guests to view before choosing. Local bounty also takes center stage, from Florida stone crab to daily selections sourced from fishermen in the Keys. The result is a menu that’s fresh, unfussy, and deeply soulful. Signature dishes like the paper-thin zucchini and eggplant tower with tzatziki, or the simple grilled octopus with Santorini fava, let the ingredients do the talking. And the experience is meant to be shared—Milos encourages the Greek tradition of philoxenia, or warm hospitality, where tables are filled with plates passed around among friends and family. To complement the cuisine, Milos West Palm Beach offers one of the most expansive Greek wine lists in the Southeast, showcasing varietals such as Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, and Agiorgitiko, all carefully selected to pair harmoniously with the flavors of the sea. Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or simply curious, the staff’s knowledge and passion make wine exploration an integral part of the experience. As the sun dips below the horizon and the waterway glows, the setting takes on a romantic, almost transportive quality. You could close your eyes and swear you were perched on a terrace in the Greek isles—until the silhouette of Palm Beach Island reminds you where you are. For those seeking an elevated dining experience rooted in simplicity, season- ality, and timeless elegance, Estiatorio Milos West Palm Beach is nothing short of a revelation. Reservations are recommended.  To book your table, call (561) 437-8889.
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