Creating a Sanctuary at Home

In today's ever-changing world, your home remains a steadfast sanctuary, a place where you can relax, be calm, and find comfort. As we navigate the twists and turns of daily life, your home stands as an anchor, offering respite and rejuvenation.

Our lives have evolved, and so has our relationship with our homes. Many of us continue to work remotely, and the concept of home has taken on new significance. Whether you're adapting to the challenges of remote work or overseeing your children's education through virtual learning, your home can be your greatest ally. Spending more time at home, especially in the colder months, allows us to appreciate the simple pleasures of life— cooking and eating homemade meals, watching a movie, playing a board game together. It’s also an opportunity to tend to your own self-care and well-being—catch up on your sleep, meditate, journal, and read.

At Jennifer Adams, we believe that your home has the power to help you thrive. That’s why it’s important to transform your home into a place you truly love. With simple adjustments to your attitude and sense of wellbeing, you can make a big impact not just at home, but in every other aspect of your life. Here are a few ways you can turn your home into a sanctuary.

Start with Small Changes

Creating a sanctuary at home doesn't require a complete overhaul. In fact, it's often the small changes that make the biggest difference.

In preparation for making those small shifts, it’s worthwhile to reflect on some aspects of your current living space that will help shed light on what home means to you:

• What do you love about your home?
• What do you not love so much?
• What in your home elevates you, inspires you?
• What in your home frustrates you?
• What qualities are important to you in a home?
• What favorite memory do you have about a home?

Answering these questions will help you have a clearer sense of what home means to you, and will help you to see what is and isn’t working in your home right now. With reflection, you can then begin to note what kinds of changes you could make to enhance your environment so it’s more comfortable and pleasant. In many cases, there really are some simple solutions that will help to shape and nurture your desired home oasis.

Home Enhancing Projects

Do you have drawers full of junk? A messy garage that needs to be cleaned? A closet that needs to be purged? Being at home can be a great opportunity to get organized and clear away the clutter to make more room for the good things (both literally and metaphorically).

To help you get started, try these tips:

Know when it’s time to let go

Creating a sanctuary also means letting go of things that no longer serve you. This includes not just physical clutter, but emotional baggage too. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you and what may be holding you back. Let’s say you’re ready to declutter your bedroom. For each item in your room, mindfully ask yourself these questions: Do I love this item? Does it still serve a purpose? Does it support my intention of having a bedroom that is calm and relaxing?

Clear away the piles

One of the biggest obstacles to creating a sanctuary is dealing with clutter. Look around your home. Do you see piles of magazines, books, newspapers, junk, etc.? Those piles not only collect lots of dust and are unattractive, but they’re wasting precious space and can be major stressors.

Here's a simple strategy to tackle clutter and maintain your sanctuary:

• Start small: Begin with one area at a time. It might be a single drawer, a shelf, or a corner of a room. Set a timer for 15-30 minutes, and focus solely on that space. You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish in a short time.
• Sort and declutter: As you go through items, sort them into categories like keep, donate, or toss. Be ruthless about what you truly need and use. If you haven't used something in the last year, it might be time to let it go.

• Organize: Once you've decluttered, organize the remaining items neatly. Invest in storage solutions like baskets, bins, and shelves to keep things in order.
• Establish habits: Make decluttering and tidying up a regular part of your routine. Spending just a few minutes each day maintaining your space can prevent clutter from piling up.
• Set an expiration date: Give yourself an expiration date for when you will sort, donate, recycle, or throw away each pile

Vision Board it

A vision board is a powerful tool for manifesting your dreams and desires. Creating a vision board for your home sanctuary can help you stay focused on your goals and aspirations. On a board, post your checklist of decluttering projects organized by room or category. Prioritize your lists, and then designate at least five minutes a day to accomplish one. Once it’s done, take it off the board. By visualizing and working at your list of projects daily, you’ll see and feel good about taking real action and making progress towards achieving your goals.

Creating a sanctuary at home is an ongoing process that evolves with your changing needs and desires. Remember that it's not about perfection but about creating a space that brings you joy, peace, and comfort. So, start small, embrace change, let go of what no longer serves you, clear away the clutter, and visualize your dream sanctuary. With a little effort and creativity, you can turn your home into a haven of tranquility and happiness!