Our homes offer us a lot of things like shelter, safety, and comfort. But what are the ingredients to a strong, positive self-place connection? If you asked five different people, you’d get five different answers because what makes home, home is unique for everyone. Our homes aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, but psychologically, socially, and culturally pleasing as well. Some people need complete tranquility, others need to be continually stimulated, and still others need some mix of both. I always say you don’t really know someone until you’ve seen their home. So I created a series I AM Home to showcase those elements, both tangible and intangible, that make people connect with their homes.

For this installment of the series, I’m excited to present Chrissy Powers— wife, mom, licensed therapist, and self-professed “eternal optimist.” Chrissy’s zest for life reverberates through her magnetic Instagram account all the way to her e-courses, coaching, blog, podcast, and therapy services- whew! While it seems like a lot, all of her work is focused on helping people overcome emotional roadblocks and trauma so they are free to live an authentic, fulfilling life. It’s her passion, and flows out of her in such a natural way. I just love Chrissy’s energy and it extends to her home too! Just one look at her home, and you can see it is a happy, loving one.

Aesthetically, Chrissy’s home gives off a carefree, California, beachy vibe. A perfect backdrop for a growing, active family. I wanted to know more about how her home uniquely supports her and her family; and she generously agreed to let me pick her brain. Here’s what she had to say.

Trulery: How would you define home?

Chrissy: Our home is streamlined, coastal with a hint of vintage.

Trulery: What makes your home, feel like home?

Chrissy: I feel most at home with cozy comfy items, clean spaces, and with my family around me.

Trulery: What’s one thing you learned about yourself as it relates to your home?

Chrissy: I’ve learned that I’m eclectic, and because of my ADD, I like clean and simple spaces.

Trulery: What’s one piece of advice you would give to anyone struggling to make their home feel like home?

Chrissy: Make your home yours with art and items that soothe you!

So what can we learn from Chrissy’s responses? First and foremost, Chrissy’s openness about her ADD is such a gift to the many people who struggle with it, and feel disillusioned about their ability to lead a productive life. Chrissy’s fullness for life shows it is possible, and she uses her home to do it. What aspects of your home can you alter to minimize the impact of any deficits you may have?

Secondly, Chrissy shows us it is the people in the home that make it. That might sound cliche, but if you look at pictures of her home, her family is what makes it invigorating. Of course, she has cute stuff, but it’s pictures of her kids running around, her being silly, and her affection towards her husband that make the cute furnishings pop. You are your home’s best accessory.

Thirdly, know what furnishings or objects you connect to. Chrissy said to fill our home with art and items that soothe us; but in order to do that, we must be attuned to what that is. So how do we become attuned to what we connect to? I’d say it takes a little bit of work on our part. We need to be aware of what is happening around us— what are the trends, what do they mean, how are others putting things together? Warning— this is different than being overly concerned with what others are doing and trying to keep up. It’s about educating ourselves, and learning how to be inspired by others in a way that benefits us, not hurts us. In the end, we should have a better understanding of what furnishings are suitable for us.

What parts of Chrissy’s home style or interview resonate with you?

I Am Home: Chrissy Powers

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