Kira Corbin’s Essentials for Resetting
The owner of Pillar Home answers our Kindness Questionnaire
Kira in her store Pillar Home | Photograph by Scott Rounds
What does your perfect day look like? A perfect day for me is one where I feel I’ve been productive but also had enough time in my schedule to give myself space to be creative or rest, without too much stress. For some reason I love Tuesdays; the week still feels fresh.
I like to wake up slowly in the morning, mostly meaning that I like to have a cup or two of oolong tea in my loungewear before getting dressed, though I’ll get in front of my computer to do administrative tasks shortly after making that first cup of tea and I don’t mind it. Getting a bunch of easy to-dos checked off early, on a perfect day, can mean that I have time to take a long shower, get dressed, and maybe take myself out (or meet a friend!) for a light lunch somewhere cute, where the food is delicious and the space is nicely decorated. On a perfect day I might do some more work in the afternoon, the time I usually dig into more creative tasks, but be able to call it quits for the day with enough time to give myself a leisurely hour to cook a homemade dinner for my husband and son. If at some point I could fit a yoga class or some gardening in, all the better.
Best habit / worst habit?Making sure I get eight hours of sleep each night. / Not drinking enough water.
Quote that inspires you? “Worked so hard forgot how to vacation.”
– Post Malone (Don’t worry, I definitely haven’t actually forgotten how to vacation.)
How do you celebrate others?Cooking is my love language. I love to feed my friends and family, whether it’s for holidays, a weekend get together, or an afternoon meet up. From simply brewing some tea and setting out purchased cookies, to spending hours in the kitchen for elaborate meals, it’s all an act of love.
How do you wind down?I try not to work after dinnertime. It’s not always possible, and I don’t always mind if I have to depending on what the homework is, but I do find that protecting and carving out time for rest and relationships is essential for resetting. In the evening after bath time and book reading with my toddler I usually enjoy a cup of herbal tea and relax with my husband. I’m a Cancer so I’m a homebody. I don’t need much more than that: to be home and happy with my people. Occasionally I love a hot bath.
Biggest life lesson learned during the quarantine?Accept and adapt. I’m a big planner and goal maker. But quarantine has made it very clear that it’s not always up to me and I don’t always get to be in control. And getting frustrated about it is a waste of energy, because there is nothing I can do. Except accept and adapt.
