Cottage Inspired Spring Home Tour

We’re sharing our cottage inspired spring home tour and the simple techniques that have kept us grounded while building a life filled with simple pleasures.

A few weeks ago, I was on the phone with my Mom talking about her trip to Europe.  

She is wildly excited about all the fun things they have planned, but she’s also nervous about leaving us.

While my parents frequently travel together now that they’re both retired, they rarely traveled at the same time when we were little.

Once we were grown and had families of our own though, my Mom’s anxiety around traveling seemed to ease a bit.

But when both of her parents died about 36 hours apart several years ago, she started hesitating every time she had an opportunity to travel with my Dad.

In part, because the aftermath of those deaths so close together was devastating for her and our big farm family.

Given her age, I want my Mom to soak in every ounce of Europe she possibly can while she is away.

I want her to immerse herself in the sights, sounds, smells, and culture of the magical cities that have been on her bucket list for years.  

So, I’ve been giving her little tips and tricks to not only help ease her nervousness but to also make sure she has a memorable experience.

The simple grounding technique that has helped me most is a technique anyone can do, at any time, in any situation.  

While it’s frequently taught to people who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders (that’s where I first learned about it), PTSD, and panic attacks, I continue to use it even when I don’t have anxiety to help me stay fully present in magical moments I don’t want to forget.

As always, this technique is not meant to be seen or substituted as professional medical advice (I’m not a doctor), rather it’s something I’ve personally found helpful in my own anxiety journey and life experiences.

It’s called the 5-4-3-2-1 Method and it’s used to help you shift your focus and thoughts to the present moment.

You can click the link above for more information, but the gist of the grounding technique is super simple to remember.

Take a deep breath and look around, what are…

• 5 things you can see.
• 4 things you can feel.
• 3 things you can hear.
• 2 things you can smell.
• 1 thing you can taste.

What I love about this technique, is that it creates a unique and deeply personal experience for everyone who tries it.

My parents will, no doubt, come home having seen amazing landmarks, beautiful works of art, exquisite culinary delights, and having experienced the energy of famous cities frequently written about in books.

Don’t sweat it if you’re not traveling this spring though!

You can still have a magical season filled with simple pleasures right in your own cottage inspired spring home and cozy backyard.

Here’s a look at our cottage-inspired spring home tour and easy ways to stay mindful and grounded this season…

Spring Things You Can See:

• A warm and inviting front porch or back patio.
• A home that feels clean and fresh
• Pastels
• Snow melting
• The first spring buds on the trees
• Flowers popping up from the ground.
• Clear blue skies
• Boats on the water
• Baby farm animals
• Dye or sticky bits on your fingers from spring craft projects
• A new wreath on your front door.
• Spring home tours.
• Pink sunsets.
• Candlelight dinners and holy services

Spring Things You Can Feel:

• The time change.
• A fresh start.
• A new beginning.
• Finishing and filing your tax returns.
• Rain washing away the pollen.
• The last snowfall of the season
• The excitement of Spring Break
• The eagerness for vacation or upcoming travel plans
• Dirt on your hands as you plant your garden.
• Flower petals
• Hugs and kisses at family reunions.
• The fabric of your Easter dress
• Easter grass
• Easter basket gifts
• Decorating Easter eggs
• Anticipating the arrival of the Easter Bunny

Spring Things You Can Hear:

• Birds singing
• The buzz of lawnmowers and equipment
• Rain falling on your umbrella.
• A new playlist
• The sounds of people exploring new books at the bookstore.
• Chatter at your favorite outdoor brunch spot or café.
• The crowd cheering at spring sporting events.
• Giggles while flying kites or blowing bubbles.
• Your shoes scraping the welcome mat before you walk through the door.
• Relatives preparing heirloom meals in the kitchen.
• The people next to you singing old hymns in church.

Spring Things You Can Smell:

• Lilies
• Hot cross buns baking in the oven.
• Easter cakes
• A cozy fire on a chilly day.
• Your favorite scent as you spring clean the house.
• Freshly cut grass.
• Spring garden tours
• Linens hanging on the line.
• Flowers, plants, and herbs from your garden.
• Your family’s favorite recipes.
• The signature scent of someone you love.
• Coffee brewing.
• Salt air at sunrise service.

Spring Things You Can Taste:

• Cadbury eggs and Easter candy
• A fresh batch of maple syrup
• Whipped herb butter on freshly baked bread.
• Seasonal casseroles
• Egg salad sandwiches
• Fried green tomatoes.
• Deviled Eggs
• Glazed Ham
• Hummingbird Cake
• Key Lime pound cake
• Strawberry Lemonade

One of my biggest goals for the year is to enjoy the season I’m in.

While it takes practice because life is not perfect, it is possible to train yourself to look for and stay grounded in the simple pleasures of life.

The exciting part about simple pleasures is that they’re different for everyone.

For my parents, it’s finally being able to travel to Europe after dealing with cancellations for 3 years.

For my middle sis who has young kids, it would be being able to take a long bath without any interruptions.

For the baby, it would be a new Pat McGrath eye palette.

For some of my girlfriends, it would be a cozy trip to the beach with all their favorite reads, endless Bloody Marys, and a bottomless brunch menu.

I know practicing mindfulness and gratitude, or finding clarity through journaling prompts are three things that get a lot of buzz no matter what season we’re in.

But I can honestly say, they’re not all hype.

They’re things that have drastically helped me to create a life I love.

So, if you feel stuck, need a fresh start, or frequently fall into bed not knowing how you spent your day, consider adding them and the grounding technique I shared above to your rituals and routines.

Because there’s no better time to celebrate renewal than spring.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this cottage-inspired spring home tour. Let us know how you plan to decorate this year!

Other Cottage-Inspired Spring Projects and Posts to Enjoy:

Cottage-Inspired Spring Porch Tour

Spring Wreath Centerpiece

How to Decorate a Store-Bought Cake for Easter

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo