I love feathering my nest. Not necessarily with anything new, just shopping from around my house and rearranging things to suit my mood or the season. This year, I gave Christmas the boot on December 26. The decorations had stopped bringing me joy – especially my little table top Christmas tree, that prevented me from doing much crafting or creating since it was living on my work table. So, the collection of Christmas trees on my mantel gave way to winter-themed decor (pictured above) and I started to feel at home again in my own house.

One of my favorite things to do is change the art in the two frames I frequently use on my mantel. It’s fun to browse printable art online; there’s so much from which to choose. I decided January calls for some “hygge art”* and printed the coziest pieces I could find.

Next came my coffee table, which has a removable glass top that lets me place paper beneath it. I haven’t scrapbooked in forever, but I still have an impressive stash of scrapbook paper. It feels good to use it, even if it’s only about 8 sheets at a time.

I realize all of these little updates to my surroundings live in my peripheral vision; not as prominent as art on the wall, but I affecting my outlook nonetheless. And the conversation in my head is so caucophonous some days, I need to provide my other senses with as much joy and beauty as I can muster. Sometimes that means decorating for the season. Sometimes that means clearing countertops and thinning my collections on shelves and bookcases, giving my brain a rest from all it takes in.

These days I’m dealing with both my literal and metaphorical periphery, doing my best to clear my mind while I’m clearing my space. I think that’s why I’m perpetually nesting; it’s my way of moving forward. I realize, it’s an odd way to self-soothe for someone who doesn’t like change, but it’s change I control and that’s what I need in my life, right now. And William Morris still inspires me: I will have nothing in my home I do not find to be beautiful or useful.

• hygge: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).