The year 2025 has begun. I personally feel a new kick in my step and am off to great start. The sun has been shining more and the crisp cold air invigorates me when I am out for my morning walks.

I began the new year as I often do by rearranging my furniture. The energy in me is shifting so that leads to my need to move things around in my environment. I first landed in my place in December 2023 and spent last year living my life and discovering how best to use the space I have.

Being a very creative person, I like to express myself with art and writing. Last year I didn’t do any art. For some reason, I just did not get to it. No matter how many supplies I bought or videos I watched to inspire me I was not motivated to push that start button even though it was something I knew gave me great satisfaction. So this year I looked around and realized there was no dedicated space for that purpose. The small desk I have had for years was tucked away in a back corner and became a catch all for papers and other things I did not know what to do with.

There it was my art centre. It was time to bring it out from facing the wall and give it a more prominent place in my living space. Hence began the furniture shuffle. The desk was cleared off, dusted and wiped down. I put it in front of the shelves where the art supplies are and faced it out into the room so there was lots to look at. Then I put my art journal on the desk with a few water colours. Voila, there it was my creative centre, literally in the centre of my room. I like that I can leave everything out and just sit down when I feel like playing with my art. Some days I sit for hours and other days just a few minutes here and there. The “studio” calls me whenever I feel moved to create. The best part is it can also be a writing centre. So I have set the tone for the year ahead. More playtime and more time to create and lots of space to do it.

The other area of my place that needed to change was my “living room” sitting area. I live in a one room studio. In order to make it feel “homey” I like to define the space into sections so it doesn’t feel so much like a bed sitting room. So I have two comfortable chairs that I have to sit in. One is a recliner which is where I sit most of the time. The other is more of an accent chair for guests or me if I want a change. Now my chair sits beside the window facing into my home rather than toward the window. I have a whole new perspective. It is a metaphor for my life right now as I like to focus inward this time of year. It is my time to curl up with my book and let myself coast into spring.

When my friend came for tea yesterday we sat in the “living room” and had a lovely visit together. Our chairs were turned toward each other and we were able to chat and feel comfortable with just enough space between us.

I still get outside for my regular walks and enjoy having friends over for a cup of tea or even a meal now and then. Still spending time on my own gives me such pleasure because my home reflects back to me all the things that are most important to my quality of life.

I am a big supporter of making the space you live in be as functional and comfortable as possible. I also have a strong intuition about how we arrange the things we have to give a feeling of warmth and presence. When things are placed willy nilly without a thought or feeling as to why it is there then a place feels cluttered and out of balance. Keeping the energy flowing is another way of setting up a room. Feng Shui is a very popular discipline that uses the principals of energy flow in and around your home. I don’t know all the ins and outs of Feng Shui I just know when something “feels” right and if it doesn’t I sit with it and ponder what needs to change.

Right now I have a beautiful red amaryllis bulb sitting by desk that started blooming on New Years eve. It was given to me as a gift and took six weeks to grow and blossom. This is a reminder to me that some things take longer to germinate and to wait patiently. Sometimes what you are waiting for is even more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.

I had no idea when I moved into my studio apartment a year ago that having a creative centre in my home would be so important to my sense of well being. When I arrived the desk went into the corner and I hung a gallery of pictures of family and special treasures from friends and grandchildren. That was my focus then — maintaining a close relationship with them all. The wall faced my bed so every night before going to sleep I would look at those pictures and smile then in the morning it was the first thing I saw. It still makes me smile. Now my chair sits beside that wall and they are all right there beside me reminding me how truly blessed I am.

This place has become my sanctuary where I feel peaceful, calm and filled with joy. It is also a place where I find myself gathering my friends and family to me. Occasionally I invite my daughter and son in law and their three children to join me for dinner. My kitchen and dining area then become my creative centre. The first time I invited them I was worried there would not be enough space for all of us. Still hospitality is an important part of who I am so I did it anyway. We all fit in just fine. It was warm and cozy and food and company was enjoyed by all. I was encouraged to host other gatherings.

What I have learned from all of this is that when you live your life from the heart of who you are you can create space for all that is in your heart no matter how small that space is. It took me a year of living with the place to know how we would coexist together so that I can live my best life. I am so thankful for my home. The people who manage the building I live in ensure it is a safe and healthy environment and I am so grateful.

Here’s to creating sacred space! May we all be blessed with a home that is safe and filled with love.