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How to Design a Sacred Space in Your Home!
All of us have struggled with a wide range of painful emotions: anxiety, grief, fear, extreme stress, you name it. And for many of us, myself included, they’ve been harder and stronger than ever before in our lives. I, personally, have had many very, very rough moments over the last couple of years.
What has helped me the most has been remembering that these things are happening to my body. Not just the mind, not just the heart – but the physical body, and the “energetic body” as well, however we understand that term.
As a result, many of the best coping mechanisms will be ones that focus on the body and bypass the mind. A great way to do that is to create your own personal sacred space where you can get away from distractions so you are able to focus on getting grounded; To use meditation, journaling, or drawing, painting etc.
Call it a Zen-Den, she-shed, or mediation station; Having a place where you can go to connect with yourself is as important as any other room in your home. Creating a sacred space gives you the chance to slow down to get quiet, re-center and remember what is important. A room closed off from the rest of your home and the world keeps out the noise so you can concentrate on being the real you.
While it doesn’t hurt if the decor and furnishings are beautiful, the most important aspect of a sacred space is how the energy feels. Your sacred space should serve as the place where you leave behind the chaos of the world and go inward to heal and restore the mind-body-spirit.
You don't need a huge space, a sacred space is just about dedicating a specific area to the rejuvenation of your spirit. For some people, that may mean creating a sacred altar, while for others it might just be a meditation pillow in a peaceful area of your home, or a spot outside that feels zen to you. Over time, when you go to the same place to do healing work that speaks to you, there’s will be an energy that builds up (good vibes). Those good vibes will trigger your mind to feel soothed the moment you enter that space because it subconsciously recognizes it as a space of relief.
Steps for creating a sacred space in your home:
Designate an area
When you try to figure out where in your home you are going to make your sacred space, try to find a place in your home that is already relatively distraction-free. Make sure you don’t have a lot of electronics, work, or daily tasks around your sacred space. Try to keep your space simple. Remember, your life on the outside is a reflection of your life on the inside, so if the space feels cluttered, it’s a sign that you’re juggling too many things and need to slow down the hectic pace of your life.
Get creative
There is no right way or wrong way to create your unique space. Creating your sacred space will be a personal process that should be intuitive and fun.
Take some time close your eyes take deep breaths. Then walk around your yard or home and “feel out” the best area to create your sacred space.
You may discover that your bedroom is the perfect area for your sacred space, or on a shelf above the tub for when you relax. You might find that there is a corner in your living room that would be the right spot for your sacred space.
The best way to figure out the location is by being creative. And if you don’t feel the first location you picked is right for you, you don’t have to worry. You can always change the location of your sacred space later on. Or, you can add a different sacred space in a different part of your home at a later date.
Set a tone for your sacred space
One way you can figure out what you want to add to your sacred space is to think about connecting with your senses.
To address the senses of sight, you can add things like healing crystals, relics, or anything else that helps you get yourself re-centered during your day.
To address the sense of smell, you can use things like incense, diffuse some essential oils, light a great candle, or add a few soothing scents that help you relax and feel like you are at peace with yourself. One of the best scents to help you meditate is sandalwood.
To address the sense of sound, you can play a relaxing CD or some good music that will help you relax. Music is also known to help put you in a deeper meditative state.
To address the sense of touch, Lighting a candle can symbolize the transitioning into a new state of mind. Hold prayer beads or your favorite healing stone or crystal.
Include items that have personal meaning
Pick objects that help connect you to nature or that have a personal meaning or emotional response for you. Some people choose things like medicinal herbs and flowers for their Zen Den.
Having a sacred space can be as simple as having a floor pillow placed in front of a low table with meaningful objects or a picture that might inspire you to meditate and reflect. It can also be a single relic placed on a shelf if that object elicits feelings of calm or inspires you.
Create a routine or ritual for using your sacred space
Commit to a time length or a routine for your meditation and reflection. While it doesn’t matter how much time you want to use, could be 3 minutes or 11 minutes, come up with a process, or at the very least set an intention for how you’ll use the space.
It's best if you actually carve out time in your daily routine to make it a ritual. You might try making it a part of your morning or evening routine.
Think of your own ritual as a daily commitment to help you re-center and meditate on your day.
TURN INSIDE FOR GUIDANCE:
What areas of my life are out of balance?
How does that reflect in my body?
What do I need to bring myself back into balance?
What makes me feel grounded?
What are my greatest strengths?
How am I powerful?
What gives me a sense of security?
Who or what protects me?
With whom do I have to make peace?
What do I need to accept?
With what do I have to reconcile with?
Sacred Space Ideas:
Convert an attic area or a guest room in your living area and dedicate that as your sacred space. You could also use a corner or window seat in your living area if that seems appropriate.
Hang a screen, beads, or billowy curtains to help place emphasis on how vital your sacred space is to you. You’ll also create the feeling of solitude so that you can self-reflect and seek some inner-guidance on life.
Use pillows on the floor or find a comfortable chair with back support.
Drape a small table with a unique fabric, place some essential items on top of that table, include candles, incense, or an essential oil diffuser, and you’ve got an altar.
Plants and flowers to help boost your energy and oxygen levels while you meditate in your sacred space. If you want colors and plants that symbolize things, consider lavender and purple since they represent spirituality. Pink symbolizes opening up the heart. Or, you can use green, which represents growth and nature’s balance.
Hang some pictures that give yourself a feeling of peace each time you enter your sacred space.
Don’t forget to appeal to your sense of sound in your sacred space. This can be music, a fountain or chimes.
It is my hope that you look into creating Your own unique sacred sanctuary to improve your mental health and to find the clarity you need. I think we could all benefit from using that space to reflect, to look within and to shut out the noise. please reach out for more information or if you have more questions on this topic!
XOXO - Cassy
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