After my long-term relationship ended, I found myself in a new house and facing the task of unpacking my stuff. I had accumulated many things, including a slew of emotions and habits that needed to be examined and weighed to determine their necessity going forward. My life change was gradual, so I did have time to prepare but, even with that, I still had boxes piled up to the ceiling and a task list long as my arm to get through. It certainly wasn’t easy and there were plenty of days that I decided not to dig into the pile.

As I grew more accustomed to my new house, I was able to clear out some space in the spare room. It occurred to me that a lot of the stuff I had moved wasn’t necessary. I had moved piles from one corner of the room to another and still hadn’t found a place for them. I’ve always believed that stuff taking up space without a reason isn’t necessary and that was certainly the case here. I had accumulated things that didn’t have a purpose anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love finishing touches and accessories. They’re important to bring a room’s look together. My beef is with clutter that takes up space and saps energy. If you climb over clutter to get to what you’re looking for, it’s time to edit.

After purging out what I did not need, I began to see the opportunity to create a sacred space to reconnect with myself, which was just the exact right project for that time. My plans came together quite easily because I knew that I wanted a simple space without a lot of fuss. I had a certain footprint to work with and once my intentions aligned, I was able to get it set up in a weekend. I use this space to meditate and journal in the morning, often using a custom fountain pen that adds a personal touch to my reflections. It is hands down my favorite part of my day and I always look forward to getting up in the morning just to have that time.

Having a place to meditate, reflect or just plain chill out is important for your happiness and well being.

I know that I am lucky to have an actual room that I can use for this purpose but, you don’t have to have an entire room to create a sacred space. You can accomplish the same thing with a mediation cushion, small chair or any comfortable surface in a corner. A sacred space is simply where you feel comfortable to reconnect with your source, God, the universe or whatever you prefer to call it.

• According to thegoodbody.com, “In-depth yet uncomplicated research in the form of reviews, case studies and product analyses”, from June, 2019”, statistics show that “Since 2012 the number of people practicing meditation has tripled” and that “over 14% of US adults have tried meditation at least once.”

I will link the study below so you can check it out.

Our lives are busy, and we’re not meant to grind our days away without a chance to recharge. And, it’s not realistic to think that you’ll remember to slow down and recharge in between work, meetings, care giving and everything else you do to keep the world spinning and the lights on. The fact that you’ve found a few moments to ponder this really means that you are at least interested in a slowing down for some self-care and it’s important to pay attention to that. Having a personal, sacred space, doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just needs to support you for a few moments so you can re-energize yourself. Here’s 5 simple ways to create a sacred space after a life change.

1. Choose the Location of Your Sacred Space

Think about the space you want to transform. Visualize how you want it to be and think about how it will feel. What will it be like to meditate in a space that is your own oasis for a few minutes? Allow yourself to really feel what that would be like. Imagine the space as a bubble where you are protected, supported and free to feel all the goodness that comes with that feeling. It’s more about how the practice makes you feel than the space itself. Will your space be an entire room or the corner of the kitchen table? It doesn’t matter because the benefit you gain is internal and you can make that as expansive or contained as you want. If you have space for a comfy cushion, or chair, and a place to reconnect with your thoughts through meditation or writing, you’re in business. It’s all about how you get into a head space where you can achieve relaxation and peace while you’re there.

2. Describe Your Sacred Space in the Present Tense

Write down what you want your sacred space to feel like. Get specific and use words that describe the exact feeling you want to create. Do you want calm, relaxing, soothing, peaceful? Use the actual words because it signals your mind to subconsciously start creating what you want. When you have a list of adjectives that describe the feeling of your space, write a descriptive phrase, in the present tense, that sets an intention for the space.

Here’s an example: My sacred space is a place where I am surrounded by crystals, books and art that reflect my personal style. I have a comfortable meditation bench that allows me to feel supported and alert. It’s a spot that allows me to experience pleasing smells and sounds that help to relax me so I will connect with myself through source. Suspend your disbelief that it can’t happen and just allow yourself to dream for a few minutes.

3. Make a Plan for Your Sacred Space and Determine How You Want the Space to Look

Next figure out what needs to happen to start making this dream a reality? Do you need to clear out the space so you can have a blank canvas to work with? Do you need to let go of the clutter or anything in the space that doesn’t serve the new intended purpose now? Really think about this and get excited about the new space. Setting your intention for the space will make it take shape in your mind and help you to create the steps necessary to make your intention become reality.

Start looking at inspiration pictures on Pinterest or search for Google images that match your aesthetic. If you’re not sure what you love, go back to the way you want the room to feel: concentrate on the words that describe that. Type those words into the search bars on Google or Pinterest so you can begin finding what appeals to you. If you are still not sure, take my What’s my Decorating DNA quiz. It’s fun, specific and will give you a great jumping off point to start this project. There’s a link right below this post.

4. Take Some Action Steps to Make Your Sacred Space a Reality!

You can’t walk 1000 miles in a day so get an idea of what needs to happen first, second, third and so on. Keep in mind that having a sacred space is important and that it is not an indulgence, it’s essential. Sometimes spaces in the home are dumping grounds for stuff that we don’t need or use. Maybe it’s your stuff, maybe it’s your kid’s stuff. Whatever the case, if it’s purpose in your life is no longer needed, then let it go. If it is difficult to part with it, think about what it could mean to someone else. Old toys, cloths, books, anything. I absolutely guarantee that there is someone that needs that item right now and that whatever it is will make an amazing positive impact in their lives.

5. Stick to Your Plan For Your Sacred Space Because it is Important

Help the other people in your life to edit their stuff as well. If the clutter in the space you’ve chosen belongs to your kids or others, let them know what your intention is. Give them a deadline to come get it and when the deadline passes, it is your prerogative to remove it from your space. If they really want it, they will find a way to come and get it and you must not buy into the idea that you are being “mean”. Explain that you are creating a space that will give you what you need. If you get push back from them, it’s just their own resistance. Remind yourself it is not your responsibility to be a storage unit. Honestly, if the stuff has not found a place in their own space, it is not needed. Remember, this space is essential and important. You do not need to carry the baggage that someone else has left behind.

These 5 simple ways for creating a sacred space should get you going in the right direction. A life change can cause a shift in your life in many ways. Even though it feels lousy at the beginning, we always heal from the trauma. Whether it’s a death, end of a relationship, the kids grow up and move on their own, there seems to be that time when you go on auto pilot for a bit. This time can make you feel like you lost yourself along with the loss of the person, relationship or routine you grew to know. Eventually, you start to feel that you need to create a new normal for yourself and you realize that it’s an opportunity to grow rather than an end. Having a sacred space can help you heal from a life change and I strongly encourage you to give it a try!

Thank you so much for reading this post. I truly believe that each of us needs a few minutes a day to be alone with our thoughts and to cultivate a relationship with ourselves. It may sound corny, but when you take time to quiet the mind and listen to your intuition, you open the door to fresh perspectives and powerful creativity that can truly benefit your life.

Things to do Now….

I’d love to connect with you over on Instagram where I post daily inspiration. You can find my link in my footer at the bottom. If you’d like to keep in touch and get instant notification when I post a new blog or other exciting news, please subscribe by choosing my brand new, super short, value packed, Secrets That Only Designers Know To Make Your Space Rock. It’s a guide to utilizing the techniques that all designers use to rally make a room pop and it works for every room in your home, guaranteed!

Second, if you like fun design quizzes, take my What’s Your Decorating DNA?, quiz. You’ll learn the decorating style that works best for you and you’ll get access to a one page cheat sheet to keep on your phone so you’ll have all your style cues handy when you’re out shopping!

Both are located right below this post if you’re on mobile or off to the right if you’re on any other device. Until next week my dear friend, I wish you creativity and joy!

More Resources:

I’m Featured on the website Porch’s Blog: Positive Environment at Home: Tips from the Experts. There’s lot’s more here about creating a happy home.

Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.