Something really fun is happening this week – and it’s been about 15 years in the making!
When I first started college, I used to write what I called “imaginations” in my journal. Essentially, those were the beginnings of my wishful journalling: when I write about the things I want to have happen in my life. One such “imagination” was about owning my own condo overlooking the ocean; sailboats and seagulls filled the view in my mind’s eye as I sank my toes in my soft, white rug. I was surrounded by cd’s and a fabulous stereo system, countless books and bright pillows to flop onto at leisure. Yes, in my industrious “imagination” life where I wore cashmere sweaters and drove to my executive job in my blue BMW by day, I had plenty of time to enjoy my favourite hobbies by night. I loved that room that I imagined so much that even now, I feel like it must exist somewhere. It’s so real.
In my imagination, that space has evolved as I have “grown up”. After I got married, I started imagining my special room as a crafts room. By then I had discovered that I was actually quite interested in artsy-craftsy hobbies like scrapbooking, card-making and painting. So, my “imagination” crafts room took on bright orange walls, organized shelving and a large crafts table. The room changed a lot but the feeling did not; that feeling of having all of my favourite things within reach, in my own personal space that nobody else could claim.
Less than two and a half years ago when we decided to start looking for our second home, my husband and I made a list of all the features we were looking for in our ideal home. “Crafts room” was right up there for me. I hadn’t had one yet and it wasn’t optional in this next dwelling. I started imagining again what this room would look like in the particular neighbourhood we were interested in. I decided I wanted French doors going into the room and another set of French doors leading to a wraparound porch on the other side of the room. I wanted it on the main floor. There had to be room to see my clients as well as space for my arts and crafts supplies. Enough room to be ME.
I am writing to you from this room tonight: two sets of French doors, a wraparound porch, a therapy table (that easily becomes a crafts table), a writing desk, storage for my supplies and therapy material, an easel, and a reading chair. I immediately called this room my “studio” rather than crafts room or office. It just seemed to fit. The room sounds huge, but it’s not. It’s just enough room to be ME, though, and THIS WEEK marks the beginning of its transformation to really look like ME.
Right now, the walls are a chocolate brown. There’s nothing wrong with chocolate or the colour brown, but on my walls it doesn’t work. It makes me sleepy. So does the lighting. I am having a hard time seeing my keys as I type this. My storage space is not so organized, there is a filing cabinet that is taking up way too much space and is too large for what I need. There isn’t anything really pretty in this room and I like pretty things. Basically, this room does not truly reflect who I am, aesthetically speaking.
With significant help from my friend who is starting her own interior design business, these walls are going to gleam in a sophisticated Revere Pewter. There is going to be bling hanging from the ceiling and on the desk that is going to allow me to type without straining my eyes…and of course, it’ll represent the clarity I am looking for and the sparkly feminine side of me. Dimensions will be added to the windows and seat covers via beautiful fabric, the filing cabinet will be replaced by a more suitable decorative box and decorative pieces of importance to me will be showcased throughout the room. And it’s all going to be done on a fabulous budget because my friend knows all the best places to shop for everything!
This project is even more special to me because it is being handled by a really great person I am so happy to have become friends with over the past year – someone with oodles of creativity who is really fun to be around. This whole project is just dripping with creativity and I know that the finished product will leave me even more inspired than the planning of it. It should have just the right balance of quiet reflection and productive energy.
Having my own space has always been important to me. No – it has always been necessary for me. I have to admit, though, that asking for it has often made me feel guilty. Having this studio, in fact, left me riddled with guilt until the last few months when I decided to embrace it. After all, I asked for it, didn’t I? I have written about it in some form or another my entire adult life. I think everyone deserves to have the things that they need to keep them happy, sane and fulfilled. Why shouldn’t I believe that I deserve those things too?
My whole life most of my possessions have been quite utilitarian. At best, they get the job done. I am grateful for that. Now I’d just like to have a little fun, even if it’s as simple as a chandelier instead of a really plain-looking dome shaped fixture. And that’s OK! I got that message loud and clear the other day!
How about YOU? Do you have a special space in your home that reflects who YOU are? A space can be the corner of your bedroom that houses your easel, or it could be the formal dining area that gets used twice a year for eating and the rest of the year for your sewing projects. I know someone who uses a spare closet in her home for a meditation room and that is where she can be with her Self. It’s not about the square footage, but about how the space makes you feel.
If you don’t have a space yet but think it might be something you need, jot down some ideas in your journal or task binder. Answer the following prompts to guide you:
- What do you want to feel when you are in your space?
- What do you want to practice in your space? (meditation, yoga, writing, card-making, reading etc)
- How much room do you need to do this comfortably?
- Where in your home can you find that space?
Write about it and it will find you, even if you think it doesn’t exist. If you would like to share about your space (whether it exists or it’s in the making), I’d love to hear your comments below. Or you can contact me privately here.
