Your Space as Sanctuary

by Roma Palmer

Do you ever think about how your living space affects your mental health? When you close your eyes and imagine your home, how does it make you feel? Slowly take a few minutes to do a ‘mental walk through’ of each room or area of your home and as you picture each section, notice what thoughts or feelings come up.

In some parts of your space, surely you think ‘oh I love the light there’ or ‘that seat is so comfy’. Additionally, I’m sure there are places where you think ‘I have too much stuff’, ‘I meant to get rid of that ages ago’ or ‘that reminds me of my ex’. Just as the positive thoughts and feelings help you to love your space, the negative feelings can pull your mood down and affect your day-to-day mental health.

I have always felt deeply affected by my space, even when I didn't know that's what it was. I had one job where I worked in a basement with no windows and I found it incredibly depressing. I am not the tidiest person but I do like having a place for everything. It helps me feel calm. Bright lights bothers me, so I like to have options depending on the time of day. What are aspects of your surroundings that influence your mood?

What function do you want your home to serve? Do you want to cocoon or to throw open your doors for entertaining? Do you want a practical, minimalist setting or do you want a cozy space that highlights meaningful artifacts from your life?

Some feelings you might want from your space include:

• Feeling safe

• Feeling loved

• Feeling motivated or energized

• Engaging your senses

• Creating strong, positive emotions

• Feeling comforted

• Feeling taken care of

• Making your life easier

It is easy to get bogged down thinking about obstacles like budget or effort that prolong procrastination. Taking the smallest step toward your goal, however, can be very fulfilling.

Some negative emotions that keep us from transforming our spaces include:

• Guilt

• Shame

• Regret

• Stress

• Annoyance

• Feeling ‘stuck’

• Reminders of someone toxic

• Reminders of a previous version of you

• Reminders of projects you ‘should’ take on

These negative feelings can keep us stuck in the past or feeling guilty about things we ‘should’ be doing.

At this time of year when the weather is still inconsistent and we spend more time indoors, I invite you to consider how you want to feel in your home and small ways you can move in that direction. Your joy matters. Your time matters. Your emotional health matters. Creating the personal space that makes you feel good and works for you is an investment in your self-care.

Even if right now all you can do is think about moving in that direction you are starting the ball rolling. If the task seems too big, break it down into smaller chunks until you can find joy in the process. That joy is what will allow you to keep moving forward, one step at a time toward a space that you love and where you feel at home.