The Joys of Hosting

The best way to turn a house into a home is to 1) leave it and 2) invite others into it. To happy homebodies this can seem counterintuitive – isn’t the highest form of home a cozy sanctuary that is just yours? Why would you ever leave if you didn’t have to? Why would you bother inviting people over when it’s your home? For my fellow homebodies, I’d encourage you to push through, as hosting people actually makes your home feel more like your own and more like a peaceful sanctuary. 

It’s easy to think of hosting as a burden or a social obligation, but if you reframe your mindset to see it as a source of joy and connection, your life will feel much richer. There are many benefits of hosting both for yourself and your guests.

Create Real Connections

In our increasingly digital world, face-to-face interactions have become rarer and more precious than ever. Inviting friends, loved ones, and acquaintances into your home creates a warm atmosphere that will linger even after the party ends. For hosts, the act of planning and executing a successful event can boost happiness and provide a sense of accomplishment. For guests, the benefits are great too. Parties provide an opportunity to socialize, make new connections, and escape the isolation that often accompanies our busy lives.

Cultivate Well-being

Sometimes the things that require the most work leave us with the greatest feelings of satisfaction. Hosting can also be a powerful antidote to anxiety as the process of organizing an event forces you to think about how to make other people happy in a tangible way instead of worrying about yourself in an abstract sense. The act of creating a welcoming environment for others often leads to a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can alleviate stress and promote mental well-being.

With such benefits it’s no wonder that there has been a resurgence in the popularity of hosting in recent years, especially among younger generations. This trend can be attributed to several factors including the desire for authentic experiences, the rise in value of in-person events, and a growing awareness of the importance of community building.

Hosting has become a way to curate unique memorable experiences that can’t be replicated through social media or digital interactions.

Rediscovering Your Space

One of the most fun elements of hosting a party is getting the opportunity to see your home in a new light. This begins in the planning stage, where you will have to look at your home through your guests’ eyes and declutter and set up the space accordingly. It’s a wonder how areas that you see every day can look different when you are envisioning how other people will perceive them. For some hosts, this party prep stage is the spark that pushes them to reorganize a cluttered area or rearrange a dysfunctional space. Others find that planning a party gives them the push they finally needed to buy a standout piece of furniture.

When the party starts you get to experience your home in an entirely different way. Hosting infuses a home with a new energy that no amount of decor can create. There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself feeling more joyful and appreciative about your home, even if historically the quality you’ve liked most about your home is its ability to provide peace and quiet. There’s just something special about seeing your home filled with your loved ones having fun.

Even long after you’re done hosting, you may notice a certain happy quality that lingers in your home. Areas that you organized just for the party often stay tidy and clean long afterwards. Areas that you rarely spent time in, but were major gathering spots during your party can become favorite haunts of yours for years to come. Even if you already love your place, having people over can let you rediscover your space and bring new life to your home.