Making Space For Sanctuary
Can you believe we are already halfway through January?! When I wrote the date in my notebook this morning, I had to pause. Wasn’t yesterday New Year’s Day? It feels like that to me. But no, here we are, careening through the first month of 2026 like a toddler with a Sharpie and no supervision.
We are preparing to put our house on the market, and so have been in a full-on clean-out and release mode. I don’t say purging because there is something about that word that just bothers me. It sounds like an unfortunate event when what we’re actually doing is preparing for something new. And while yes, change can be stressful, it can also bring fresh energy and possibilities. I love both.
I’ve had this vision of sharing sanctuary more publicly. I’ve written about this concept before, but it’s landing for me now in a different way. Helping others experience sanctuary and learn how to create it and use it to lead healthier, moreconnected lives. Offering the opportunity for all of us to just steep in the physical space of sanctuary together. We clearly need a venue with the space to support it.
And it would be ideal if I could somehow find a property that would provide space to live and a separate space to create and do our design work. A place that could serve as the headquarters from which to run our business, offer educational workshops and retreats, as well as the chance to live a life of sanctuary while we’re doing it.
And I just might have found it right here in my beloved hometown of Naples.
But first things first — listing the house. We are opening every drawer, emptying our attic and cupboards, and sorting through 16 years of accumulation. Sound daunting? It kind of is.
I might have mentioned in the past that I love STUFF. I really do. Books, crystals, candles, art supplies, dishes, plants, art and objects, clothing, shoes, bracelets — you name it, I probably have a lot of it. And it’s interesting to me because I started by cleaning out my own sanctuary space at home. The one where I sit daily to write, paint, and read. Truly the place where I do everything, from my favorite morning contemplative activities to running our family life and even writing this blog post. This is the space that nurtures me personally. It took me an entire day to sort through a million felt tip pens, more journals than I could ever fill in a lifetime, 9000 calligraphy pens (why so many?!), piles of stationary and notepads, books, oracle cards, things my kids have made me over the years, household records and an odd assortment of gifts that were never given. I found enough incense to scent all of Collier County. I also unearthed the result of my earlier obsession with subscription boxes and ended up with an entire desk full of weird little trinkets and strange products I will never use. Strangest among them was a tub of golden goose lotion (um, weird — is that made of real goose?) and a kit to sew a small herd of felt sheep. Don’t ask.
Isn’t it funny how things pile up?
In my case, the piling up happened without me even fully realizing it. But as I packed things away to give to others and donate, the release of energy that accompanied my actions was quite heady. It motivated me to then attack (and I do mean attack) my closet and my drawers. Those shelves of handbags, shoes, and boots. Bags and bags of things ready for a new home. Ready to bless another person’s closet or desk.
The net result? My creative practices in my sanctuary have a new fire and excitement. I actually know what I have (and have stopped buying journals, pens, and tack board pins FOREVER). I am reinvigorated to try some of the wonderful supplies I’ve been saving. And I can’t wait to get to my desk to write in the morning. It’s nice to feel inspired!
I also enjoy getting dressed in the morning (well, I mostly enjoy it — still noticing the accumulation of holiday food and drinks around my midsection is slightly less enjoyable). And I’m wearing things I forgot I had, some of which still had price tags.
We are funny creatures, aren’t we? Bless our little hoarding hearts.
I just can’t help but think that we all need to let go of stuck energy, too much stuff and unclog some of these arteries in our homes and sanctuaries. It directly affects the quality of our daily life and allows our spaces to support us better. Now I am no Marie Kondo (although I do have respect for her), and I am not prescribing any particular way of creating order or clearing stuff out. But I will offer you the simple fact that it’s nice to have space to breathe. Even one shelf being cleared and cleaned can offer that.
YES! We can do this.
How are you welcoming in 2026? What are you doing to freshen your space or deepen your experience there? I’d love to hear. Drop me a line or share in the comments below.
With so much love and gratitude,
Lisa