3 Strategies to Create a Sanctuary at Home
Today I want to talk about creating a sanctuary at home.
Before the pandemic we were spending 90% of our time indoors making our spaces incredibly important to our overall wellbeing. So, you can imagine how important our spaces are now that we’re spending even more time in them!
Now when I talk about creating a sanctuary at home I am talking about creating an overall feeling of calm. It’s important to note that this may not be how you want to feel in your home all of the time. You may prefer higher energy spaces too for example. But what we’re talking about here specifically is the former and the importance of creating a sanctuary of calm in these stressful times.
Back in Jan 2015 when I had my breakdown (or what I now lovingly refer to as my breakthrough) my home was a key part of my healing journey. Even though the location has changed quite a few times since, it’s always been incredibly important that I create a space where I feel supported, rested, calm and rejuvenated.
I would also like to note here that my places so far have always been rentals and I know many will relate to this especially those in cities like London. My current home is also a rental (manifesting my dream home as we speak!). The reason I mention this is because I don’t want this to deter anyone from setting up their own sanctuaries. You may not be able to paint the walls or make major changes, but you can still create a restful space you love.
So, with that said, I’d like to run through 3 simple strategies, things you can implement now, so you can create a sanctuary in your own home.
For more ideas you can also check out a previous blog post I did on how our homes can support our goals where I dive into bringing nature in, colours & materials, layout and setting up your home to remove any obstacles to achieving what you want here.
3 strategies to create your own sanctuary at home:
1. Let’s Get Organised
Really think about what you have, what you need and what you could get rid of.
Surround yourself with things you absolutely love.
Ensure everything has a place. Putting ‘likes with likes’ also helps here. Everything having its own home not only creates a calmer space around you but you won’t also create unnecessary stress when you need to find something.
Consider your furniture and what you have for storage and what you might need in future. Ensure to mix up open and closed for different purposes.
Also consider different activities you do in each of your rooms.
This is a great way to separate things. I’m specifically thinking working and relaxing here. When you have storage solutions and specific zones in your home it will help you switch more easily from tasks throughout the day and also help you switch off at night.
2. Zone Your Home
As mentioned with organising, consider all of the activities you’d like to achieve in your home and then consider how each room and space can support them.
Your bedroom for instance. If possible, this should only be for sleeping and sex (perhaps also getting dressed). Make this space as restful as possible with comfortable bedding, window treatments to block out the light and lowering the temperature at night. Also make it a tech free zone to really ensure a good night’s sleep.
Your kitchen typically supports so many activities often being the heart of the home. Is it set up to do so? If you want to cook more meals for instance, make sure your pantry and cupboards are really stocked up to do so with plenty of legumes, whole grains, herbs, spices and healthy fats.
Having a table to lay out your meals is also really important. Even if you live alone. Make eating a ritual and a mindful practice in your day rather than a rushed one.
Your lounge is also a very hard working room in your home. You can create a corner here just for you to read, write, whatever it is that fills you up. If it’s your favourite armchair or corner of the sofa use cushions, throws and lighting to really create a space you love to relax in.
I’d also like to add a note on work here. As working from home is now part of many of our lives. It’s important to create a dedicated space within your home to do this. If it has to be at the kitchen table or a corner of the bedroom ensure you have proper storage to put everything away at the end of the day so you can really switch off.
I talk more about staying healthy while working from home with specific strategies to set up your home office, keeping a routine and being productive in my free guide which you can access here.
3.Play to All of Your Senses
This is really about creating somewhere in your home that feels calming and restful. A space that feels like a sanctuary and that really fills you up.
Bring in lots of natural texture with cushions and throws, play with your lighting with multiple lamps, light candles (natural ones preferably).
Invest in beautifully shaped mugs that you love to hold in your hands when drinking tea.
Bring in plants and flowers as they really help create a sense of calm and can be really grounding in a space.
Create a place to read a great book or listen to some music you love.
Diffuse essential oils like lavender, clary sage and bergamot as scent can really affect how we feel in a space.
We’ve spoken about 3 key strategies to help make your home a sanctuary. Starting with the more practical ones of organising and zoning. These will really help lay a proper foundation for layering on elements that really play to your senses and creates your ultimate restful and calming home.
Here’s to making our homes sanctuaries that fill us up!
Let me know in the comments which one you might try? All 3?
