IKEA's Wellbeing Guru Explains the Transformative Power of Home Rituals
Finding happiness and harmony within your own home might be simpler than you imagine, according to Katie McCrory, the Life at Home Leader at IKEA's global headquarters. With extensive experience authoring the annual IKEA Life at Home Report since 2017, McCrory possesses unique insights into how people worldwide experience their domestic spaces.
"Being immersed in research that reveals what life at home genuinely looks and feels like for individuals across the globe truly unlocked something within me," McCrory reveals. "Comprehending what we truly seek when we desire to feel more at home has fundamentally reshaped my perspective on homemaking."
The 42-year-old mother of two explains that this deep understanding prompted profound personal reflection. "It encouraged me to consider my own needs and desires, and to learn from the various places I have lived and called home throughout my life," she states.
From Research to Personal Calling
Drawing upon what she describes as "an incredible body of research demonstrating the emotional landscape of home," McCrory felt a compelling need to synthesize this knowledge and share it widely. "It felt like a genuine calling," says the researcher and storyteller. "The concept simply would not leave me alone."
This personal mission has culminated in her first book, Where The Heart Is, where McCrory leverages her expertise to guide readers toward feeling more authentically at home in their living spaces. She now shares crucial insights on why establishing home rituals matters significantly and how to enhance your personal wellness routine effectively.
The Three Essential Components of a Meaningful Ritual
"Rituals consist of three distinct parts," McCrory clarifies. "Firstly, a ritual must possess a clear and deliberate purpose. This fundamentally distinguishes it from a mere routine. A ritual prompts us to ask 'Why?'—why are we engaging in this activity, what is its objective? This questioning helps clarify its importance and the underlying intention."
"Secondly, rituals require specific enabling behaviours. You must be precise about what actions are necessary for the ritual to exist and be effective."
"Thirdly, and this is where the home becomes critically important, rituals need the appropriate environment and boundaries to thrive."
She elaborates further: "You must be capable of creating 'the where and how of your ritual' to ensure it receives optimal support."
Establishing Clear Purpose Through Self-Interrogation
One practical exercise McCrory recommends involves envisioning having twenty-four uninterrupted hours at home with no distractions. "What would you choose to do? This is an opportunity to fantasize freely about having pure, dedicated time for yourself," she suggests.
"That imaginative process helps clarify motivation and identify activities you genuinely desire. Then, ask yourself 'Why do I want to do that?'—and I advise asking three times consecutively."
This repeated self-questioning, McCrory explains, allows you to fantasize about desired activities and then drill down to the core purpose. "When you ultimately reach that fundamental purpose, it provides clarity: 'This is why it's important; this is my intention, and this justifies making time and space for it.' That is the pathway to discovering your true purpose."
Implementing Enabling Behaviours Effectively
There are two primary considerations for enabling behaviours. "Initially, you must select what you wish to do and define those actions precisely. These could be pleasurable activities like reading in bed, or existing domestic routines reframed as rituals," McCrory advises.
She recommends examining the daily flow of your life rather than feeling pressured to add new routines. "Consider existing routines performed almost unconsciously—having breakfast, getting dressed, even household chores. These are things you already do; the key is reframing them as rituals."
"One highly effective method involves engaging all five senses within that activity. For instance, when preparing for bed, you might light a scented candle, use ambient lighting while winding down, or play soft music."
McCrory emphasizes: "Identify something you do daily without conscious thought and elevate it into a ritual. This approach proves more effective than maintaining a regular, mundane routine."
Creating the Right Environment and Boundaries at Home
"The home is uniquely well-designed to meet ritual needs because it inherently supports self-care and self-expression," McCrory highlights. "Our homes allow us to see ourselves authentically; they provide a safe space, ideally a sanctuary. Therefore, you already possess considerable boundaries and an appropriate environment for these rituals."
One practical strategy is zoning your home. "Consider clearly what activities you wish to perform—perhaps yoga or meditation—determine where you will do them, and consistently use the same location," she suggests.
McCrory advises storing relevant items like a yoga mat, diffuser, or scented candle in that designated spot and setting up preferred music beforehand. "Having everything prepared makes it easier to step into your ritual when you go to that place. It also serves as a visual reminder that you owe yourself that ritual daily or weekly, creating a positive trigger."
Another crucial aspect is minimizing distractions. "Reflect on your phone and screen usage and how they might be diverting your attention. Rituals are fundamentally about tending to yourself. I discuss self-care and self-expression as ways of acknowledging self-worth," McCrory notes.
"Nurturing yourself means affirming 'I am worth this time, worth this space, and worth the energy to perform these activities.' The home provides an extraordinary setting for precisely that purpose."
Where The Heart Is by Katie McCrory is published in hardback by Torva, priced at £16.99, and becomes available on February 19.
