One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far in my first two weeks of studying abroad? In order to enjoy the time spent at university when you’re not travelling, you have to make your space feel like home! That’s right — second to yummy $3 meal deals at the grocery store, decorating is truly your new best friend.
Whether I’m at home, school, or anywhere else, over time I’ve found that one of the best things I can do to better my mental health and wellbeing is to make sure I’m not staring at a blank wall. Being in a colourless, plain-white room really wears down on me over time — I love having my little decorations to spark interest and greet me as I walk in the door, as having cheerful little decorations really does brighten up my day. It also means that I feel like I have a place to call my own even when I’m far away from my family and my actual room at home.
However, decor is expensive enough as is, so I love being able to make a space my own without breaking the bank (besides, a machine already did that for me this past weekend! Shoutout to the ATM that swallowed my debit card and didn’t give it back!).
First and foremost, hanging up a few printed photos is a cheap, yet cheerful, way to breathe life back into a room. While I was distracted, my mom snuck in some printed photos of our family into my suitcase. I also packed the photos that I had taken down from my room in Kingston, so I could reuse them. Both sets of pics were great reminders of home; they took up zero room in my suitcase, yet immediately made me feel like this new space was truly mine. As cheesy as it may sound, seeing my friends and family on my walls really helps me realize that I’m not alone and reminds me that they’re cheering me on every step of the way.
Aside from family photos, I also love printing out photos from my Pinterest boards. Not only do they look cute assembled all together on my walls, but it’s more cost-effective than finding a themed photo pack on Amazon. It only really took a few pics to spice up my room and make it the inviting, cozy, and adorable space I want to be surrounded by.
Along the same lines, postcards are also a great way to liven up a space, especially when you don’t have a ton of room to bring decorations from home. Of course, some postcards can get pretty pricey in touristy areas, but you can definitely find some cheaper ones that you can take home and tape to your walls. Bonus: they remind you of some of the cool places you’ve been and experiences you’ve had while there!
If you’re still lacking some colour, feel free to doodle on some brightly coloured sticky notes! Whether you draw lazy daisies or stars, sticky notes are an under-appreciated way of bringing some personality to a room. I also love writing some inspirational messages or positive reminders on them, then taping them somewhere I’ll see everyday like on my mirror or at my desk. It’s a really great way to bring more creativity and positivity into my life while looking adorable!
These are just a few of the ways that I love brightening up my space — they’re easy, cost-effective, and just plain fun. They also reinstill my firm belief that, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can make your space your own.