Welcome back to the Intentional Living Series. Today I’m sharing powerful but practical ways to create an intentional home. In case you missed a post, you can find them here:
- I: Intentionality Relieves Anxiety
- II: Action Steps Toward Everyday Intentional Living
- III: Intentionality in Thought: How to Take Your Thoughts Captive & Conquer Unwanted Thoughts
- IV: Ways to Create an Intentional Home
In the previous installments of this series, I’ve shared a bit about my walk through anxiety, depression and mental health crisis. Intentionality in all aspects of my life was key for healing. It’s been key to my continued state of complete mental health.
Take Control of Your Home
We lock our doors. Security systems alert us to anything fishy happening on our property. Doorbell cams allow us to see who is at our door, right on our phones–no matter where we are.
We are intentional about keeping intruders out of our home. But often, the most dangerous voices in our home sneak in, in the form of books, movies, TV and media. These intruders come in because we underestimate their harm.
It’s time to get intentional and take control of what is speaking into your mind (and the minds of your family) within your own walls. Doing so will help you take your thoughts captive, and rid your mind of unwanted thoughts. It will relieve anxiety and allow you to live in a space of Truth.
Let’s get started.
What Does Intentionality At Home Look Like?
An intentional home is purposefully curated to create an atmosphere of positivity and truth.
An intentional home is orderly and consistently directs thoughts to places of positivity and Truth. An intentional home is not chaotic. Decisions are made with confidence, boundaries are clear, individuals are free to explore their God-given gifts and have clarity of mind.
An intentional home is purposefully curated to create an atmosphere of positivity and truth.
How To Create an Intentional Home
Intentionality at home begins with the action steps we talked about in Part II. Apply these same principles to what you bring into your house. To create an intentional home we’ll look at two key steps.
- Auditing what you already have in your home.
- Pausing before you bring anything into your home.
I’m not covering intentionality in relationships or parenting. Instead, we’ll focus on media (TV, movies, books, audiobooks, magazines, social media–and any other media you can think of) and decor/tangible items.
Audit What’s Already in Your Home
Think strategically and purposefully about what you are allowing into your home.
Auditing simply means giving close examination to something. I’m not implying you need to completely purge all your media and home decor. Only that you need to give close examination to what you’ve currently got.
When I first began living intentionally, I learned that I needed to create a filter for what I was consuming. Your list may be different than mine, that’s okay.
At the core, I want the things that I’m watching, listening to, looking at, setting before my family to “set my mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2) The idea of a filter is to think strategically and purposefully about what you are allowing into your home.
Here are places to audit. (This isn’t an exhaustive list.)
- TV shows you watch and stream
- Movies you own, stream, and watch
- Books you own, borrow from the library, discuss in clubs
- Audio books you own, borrow and discuss
- Magazines you own and subscribe to
- Computer use
- Gaming
- Music you own and stream
- Podcasts you listen to
- Social media influencers you follow, groups you participate in, platforms you participate in
- Decor with words, images or other messages
Here are examples of questions that will help you intentionally filter what you already have in your home/life:
- Does this build positivity in my mind/environment?
- Is this helpful to consume?
- Does this glorify God? Or does this go against His Word?
- Will this distract me from God’s Truth or God’s best for me/my family?
- What is my heart motivation for watching/reading/keeping this?
- Will consuming/keeping this in my home life exemplify Christ to nonbelievers?
- Will this in any way harm my marriage?
- Does this reinforce God’s Truth/the truth of His character or detract from it?
- Does this feed a stronghold in my life?
Pause Before You Allow Anything Into Your Home
As you bring things or media into your home, remember to be purposeful and strategic. You are curating a space an an atmosphere.
When my mental state was very vulnerable, I knew I needed to quiet lots of voices around me. There were too many things speaking into my life. I was rarely alone in the quiet, able to hear God, discern His voice or decipher Truth from lie.
I didn’t have the mental capacity to audit. So I turned everything off. A complete fast from social media, TV, movies, audiobooks, radio, podcasts, magazines, books…
At first I only read the Bible.
Then I allowed Christian radio in the car.
Then Bible study videos when I just wanted to “watch TV” at the end of the day.
The progression stalled there for quite some time. As healing happened, I knew it was unrealistic to keep myself completely turned off from all media and the outside world. My audit had been hasty, but adding things back in was very intentional. I paused and considered before allowing anything back in.
Shows that I once loved were cut out (many without closure.) The same went for all other media–including social. At first it was hard, but the process was worth it. My mind was clear and I had a new sense of ownership and pride over my home. I had taken charge of what was coming in, how it was consumed.
Home became a sanctuary, where I knew what was coming into my mind was safe and true.
As you bring things or media into your home, remember to be purposeful and strategic. You are curating a space an an atmosphere. Pause and consider each decision carefully.
How to Pause
Hold the things you allow into your home to a high standard, you’re worth it.
To create an intentional home, you’ll need to pause too. Be strategic and purposeful when you bring anything into your home. Use the list from your audit as you put things back in place. Hold the things you allow into your home to a high standard, you’re worth it.
Explain this process to your family, especially your children. This will teach them to be intentional about what they consume from a young age. And as stated in Part II: living intentionally always has a why.
If you decide to add something to your home, watch something, play something, listen to something, etc…you should be able to give a quick “why.” A reason to defend its place in your home. A reason to defend its presence as a voice speaking into your mind.
It’s weird at first, but you can do it. With practice it will become second nature. Your mind, heart, and family will thank you.
Items in Your Home
The last thing I’ll touch on are items in your home. What kind of imagery is surrounding you, your marriage and your children? What words are displayed on your wall? When you unlock your phone, what’s in the background? What words are inscribed on your favorite mug?
Audit these things too.
As you seek to create an intentional home, don’t underestimate the power held in objects you see every day. These can speak positivity into your heart. They can set your mind on things above. Or they can pull your heart toward strongholds, lies, brash jokes (unbecoming of a child of God.) These things can help redirect your thoughts (see part III) or push your thoughts toward things of the world, doubts, lust, and lies.
Bring in objects that constantly push your thoughts heavenward. Fill your home with imagery that lifts your heart and aligns it with God.
Create an Intentional Home and an Intentional Life
I know you can do this. Start small and be consistent. Intentionality will become routine, second nature. For more inspiration for intentional living join me on Instagram and Facebook. I share tips, anecdotes and everyday devotionals that teach you to see God’s goodness in the everyday, study Scripture effectively, know God deeply and overcome anxiety and depression. Hope to see you there.
