Sacred Spaces

I believe that your home should be your sanctuary—your sacred space.

That’s whether you live in a house, an apartment or condo, a tiny home community, a house made out of plastic bottles in Nigeria or in the Algerian desert.

Our homes provide shelter and it’s where we do life.

We’re protected from the elements there.

We heal from hurt there.

We close old chapters and celebrate new ones there.

We fight and makeup, experience wins and losses, we raise families and fur babies there.

We share intimate secrets and profound life lessons there.

We cook meals, burn meals, make mistakes, and laugh at all of it there.

We pray, meditate, and grow there.

And with the recent pandemic, many find themselves carving out places to work there.

Our homes are our sanctuaries and they should be treated as such.

Painting Your Sanctuary

 

Once upon a time, I did a Moth StorySlam! It was one of the scariest things I’d ever done and I chose to tell a story about walls. Yes, walls. Navajo White walls to be exact. And yes, Navajo White is a real paint color name. That wall color was all I ever knew. It was in every apartment we rented or house we lived in. When we bought our home I promised myself that I would step out of my comfort zone and put color on my walls. I’m glad I did! The right color can soothe or excite. It can make your space feel warm and inviting. Some apartments will even paint an accent wall in your space upon request.

The goal is not to be afraid of incorporating color onto your walls. Yes, there are lots of colors and shades to choose from and the process can be daunting. But there are apps that can help you choose the right color and see how that color will look in your space. Apps like Paint My Place, Prestige ColorPic, and Home Harmony take the guesswork out of the painting process. These apps save you time and money.

Personalizing Your Sanctuary

In various nooks of our home, I have reminders of people I have loved deeply. The blue teapot and sugar bowl were gifts to my grandmother from my grandfather. He bought them for her in Japan while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. The set reminds me of them and the love they shared.

I even have her cake pan. The one she made all of her pound cakes and 7-up cakes in. Every time I go to that cabinet and see it, I think of her and smile. Always.

Sometimes making your space feel like home doesn’t require a trip to your favorite retailer or flea market.

Sometimes items can be hiding in your attic or basement.

Other Things You Can Do

  • Declutter your space: The mental and emotional impact of clutter is real. Start small. Go room-by-room till you get it all completed. If you’re able, hire a professional to assist you. A lot of stuff, disorganization, and chaos can weigh on you heavily.
  • Scent the air: Your sense of smell is most linked to your memories. The smell of movie theater popcorn brings up memories of first dates, fresh-baked cookies remind you of simpler times. Retailers know the power of scent marketing. Starbucks sells food but you don’t smell it. All you smell is coffee and that’s by design! There are a variety of ways to add the power of scent to your space — diffusers, candles, incense. Find one that works for your home and lifestyle.
  • Add Living Things: Plants and flowers are great for the air in your space. Pothos or ivy plants are easy to keep and are quite resilient and communicative. Drooping leaves tell you they need to be watered. They perk back up within minutes.

I hope you create a space that brings you joy and laughter and most of all peace.

Share pictures of your spaces with us on our Facebook page! Or use the hashtag #sacredspace2020.

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