There seems to be a large portion of the population, at least in this part of the world, who are living by the adage ‘Insanity now, serenity later’. Work, stress, save. We’ll enjoy life after we’ve made our fortune, raised healthy children, and paid off our mortgages. Why, perfectly beautiful people are racing around with dark circles under their eyes and grey hairs popping up around their temples! Harried times like these demand finding your own private sanctuary to inject more peace into ones’ blurred existence.

(Photo: Flickr user - r3dst0rm)

A true sanctuary must be safe, comfortable, and leave you free to focus on what you need to – a refuge, if you will. Having your own space to write, plan a new project, meditate, or stare off into space dreaming up your next big dream can be integral to your creative success, sense of well-being, and general peace of mind.

Consider the activity you wish to focus on more often (instead of balancing your budget or squeezing in another business meeting). Is it something that requires total peace and quiet (like meditation), or is it something you can do in a chaotic environment (I actually write quite well with the television blaring in the background)? How sensitive are you to your surroundings when you require the ability to concentrate? Are you stimulated creatively by lots of activity or vibrant music in the background, or does the slightest sound of traffic running by drive you to irritable distraction and mumbled curses? Consider this when choosing the kind of atmosphere that will help you create at your optimum energy level and keep you happily focused on your activity.

Next, what is the particular activity you wish to spend more of your valuable time doing? If it’s reading or learning a new language, maybe your local library or bookstore will provide the quiet atmosphere to get fully absorbed in a good read or learning the proper nuances of a foreign language. Perhaps it’s more fresh air and freedom from a crowded gym that prompts you to seek out the perfect new park trail that stimulates fresh motivation to adhere to your fitness goals. If space is a consideration, look at your living space with fresh perspective. Could the corner you have stacked to the ceiling with magazines from years gone by be cleared to make way for an arts and crafts table filled with colorful bins of all the tools you require to create your new masterpiece? You may surprise yourself once you get started and new energy begins coursing through your veins to keep going. Once you have that creative space re-purposed, the ideas flow freely, seemingly out of nowhere, because you opened that space of possibilities.

Be aware even the sweetest sanctuary can stop working its magic over time. Keep an open mind, pay attention to your energy level and feelings – it may be time to seek out a new place that matches your changing needs and re-ignites motivation. I used to love enjoying a giant cappuccino on my patio, but realized noisy neighbours wielding lawnmowers (never at the same time, of course) made it much less enjoyable. When I began taking myself to the coziest coffee shops with jazz quietly humming in the background, it revitalized my spirit and left me feeling I’d had a little vacation by the time I was finished. Give me Sanctuary! Sanctuary! Sanctuary!